Ideas and tips for designing single-color or monochromatic flower gardens. There are endless color variations with each adding its own unique impact to the garden.
A monochromatic or single-color garden can be achieved by using different flowers with the same colors or by selecting flowers with varying hues of one color. Flowers having similar colors yet different sizes and shapes can create interest while contrasting foliage can offer additional color and texture. Utilizing similar colors in a garden is a good way to achieve harmony. This design technique can also make smaller areas appear larger. When the proper color scheme is implemented, this effect can unify the garden.
When choosing a color, consider the ultimate effect with which you would like to achieve. To brighten up dull or dark areas, try using soft whites or pastels. For areas with an abundance of light, bold colors such as red or purple can be used. To achieve a serene effect, cool colors such as blue, green, or violet are good choices. Warm colors like red, orange, or yellow can create excitement. There are numerous variations of one color available to choose from. Colors which share the same pigments harmonize well in a garden. These colors are side by side on the color wheel; for instance, yellow, yellow-orange, orange, and orange-red. Consider choosing a dominant color, such as yellow, and complement this with contrasting hues like cream, light yellow, and gold. There are many books and other sources of information available which can help get you started. These can also provide pictures with plant and color combinations that work well together.
The hues of some warm and cool colors do not often blend well together; therefore, it is important to consider their placement before planting. If color clashing occurs, however, alleviate the problem by blending together silver and green foliage plants such as lamb's ear and hosta. A purposeful, well-planned site of monochromatic plants will intensify the overall effect. Hardscapes, such as mulch, gravels, and other garden elements, should be considered as well and matched to the chosen color scheme. For example, white gardens might benefit from light-colored gravels or stepping stones along the walkway. Terra cotta planters and pavers blend well in gardens dominating in orange.
There are a number of single-color gardens to choose from. When planning a white garden, pay attention to the foliage color as well as the flowers. An all-white garden generally relies on silver foliage plants to heighten the effect. Gray, blue, or variegated foliage are also good choices. Texture is also important in white gardens. Include any variation of white flowers and highlight these with pastels. Commonly found plants in white-colored gardens are white foxglove, lamb's ear, sweet alyssum, pearly everlasting, blue fescue, white petunia, moonflower, maiden grass, baby's breath, horehound, snowdrop, and silver thyme.
Yellow gardens should also include appropriately colored foliage plants. Gold-variegated types are good choices. Highlight yellow with creams, various yellow hues, and gold. Typical plants in these gardens include yellow tulips, daffodils, primrose, yellow iris, various ornamental grasses, yucca, yellow daylily cultivars, moonbeam coreopsis, and gold yarrow. Some of these gardens might include orange hues as well. Orange colors can range from pale peach to fiery orange-red.
Red gardens consist of various pink tones, maroon, burgundy, red, and red-orange. Since these types of gardens can be quite flashy, soften them with silver and green foliage plants. Good choices for red gardens include red rose, Japanese fern, scarlet salvia, red petunia, coral bells, astilbe, hosta, red-orange daylily, bleeding heart, red tulip, and red fern-leaf peony. Pink colors range from pale to deep rose.
In a purple color scheme, visual interest comes from grouping together violet, lavender, and purple flowers. Silver or gold foliage plants can blend well in purple gardens. These gardens also benefit from the occasional accent of red or orange. Colors range from light mauve, lavender, and periwinkle to violet, reddish-purple, and purplish black. Common plants here include purple smokebush, autumn crocus, aster, blue fescue, golden yucca, purple coneflower, iris, grape hyacinth, allium, lilac, variegated hosta, lamb's ear, and lavender artemisia. Blue in a garden looks nice highlighted with blue-green foliage plants. Colors within these gardens range from blue and blue-violet to purple. Crane's bill geranium, Virginia bluebells, periwinkle, ajuga, forget-me-not, blue oatgrass, Russian sage, and balloon flower make good selections.
Generally overlooked but just as important is the color green. In a garden, green provides a restful appearance. Colors can range from green, grayish-green, and blue-green to purple or yellow-green. These gardens can be extremely attractive when using various sizes, shapes, and textures. Plants to consider are Virginia creeper, ferns, Jack-in-the-pulpit, lady's mantle, variegated hosta, and Solomon's seal.
Whatever the color scheme, keep in mind that there is an unlimited variety of hues or shades to choose from; and using different flower forms will add contrast. Single-color gardens are often thought to be boring; however, this is not the case at all. They offer an endless color palette and each color adds its own unique impact to the garden.
