One of the simplest joys in my life right now is walking through my neighborhood and admiring my neighbors’ hydrangea bushes. Not every house has them, but the ones that do exude effortless beauty. They’re a burst of pink or blue blooms that Iâm savoring, since I know hydrangea season doesnât last forever. They remind me that color makes an incredible impact, especially when itâs part of a garden in front of your home. The lush pink blooms are friendly and inviting. They emit an air of playfulness, while the deep blue hydrangea bushes seem more peaceful and grounded in their beauty. Garden color schemes clearly set the mood for your outdoor living spaces, and itâs a step you donât want to skip when planning your garden.
If youâd like to plant a garden but aren’t sure where to begin, I chatted with mother-daughter duo Brooke and Leila Giannetti, garden designers at Patina Meadow, as well as Madeline Hooper, host of the PBS TV show Garden Fit, to get their pro tips on all things garden color schemes. Ahead, learn how to design your garden with color in mind, as well as the best color schemes to try yourself!
Where to Begin When Planning Your Garden
Before you head to the nursery, both Giannettiâs suggest taking time to think about the mood you want to set, as well as the intention you have for your outdoor space and garden. âAre you looking to grow food for your family? Are you trying to create a space mostly for visual interest? Either way, there are a few design tips to keep in mind,â the duo suggests.
Just like you would an interior space, they encourage using hedges and trees to enclose spaces, like an outdoor room. âThis creates a sense of intimacy and privacy, almost like different rooms in a house.” As far as picking which plants and flowers are right for your garden, Hooper says to lead with your heart and to not think too hard about whatâs right or wrong. âSurround yourself with colors you love,â she says. âAllow yourself to react to what surprises you and delights you about a garden.â Â
Hooper also suggests noticing what plants and flowers are working for your neighborsâthat means the conditions you both share work well! And finally, if youâre feeling nervous as a beginner gardener, Hooper encourages taking some pressure off and to have fun. âIt truly doesn’t matter how you start. You make mistakes. Plants die. You learn by trial and error!â she exclaims. Â
Why a Color Palette Is Important
âA garden color scheme provides unity and coherence in garden design. It ensures that all elements work together harmoniously, creating a space that is not only visually appealing, but also emotionally resonant,â the Giannettiâs share. âA cohesive color palette helps avoid visual clutter and creates a sense of calm and order, which is particularly important in a garden meant for relaxation and enjoyment.â
If youâre not sure what colors look best together, or just feel afraid to commit, Hooper suggests pots to start. âYou donât have to make the commitment to dig them into the ground necessarily,â she remarks. Knowing what colors and flowers youâre drawn toâas well as the ambience youâd like your outdoor space to haveâwill set the tone for creating the garden of your dreams.
âUltimately, your garden should reflect your tastes and preferences. Choose colors that make you happy and create a space where you love to spend time!â the Giannettiâs add.
Four Garden Color Schemes We Love
You canât go wrong with the following garden color schemes, recommended by Hooper and the Giannettiâs. Ranging from sweet and soft to dramatic and bold, choose the garden color scheme that speaks to your heartâas well as the outdoor space youâre longing to create.Â
Soft Pastels
If you envision a garden fit for afternoon reading, morning meditation sessions, or casual dinner parties, a pastel color palette would be the dream. âWe absolutely adore soft pastel palettesâlight lavenders, pale pinks, and soft whites. This combination evokes feelings of calm, serenity, and soothing tranquility,â the Gianettiâs share. Hooper is also a fan of this color palette. âIn my garden around the pool, I like to stick to cool pastel colors that go with the water color and gray stone coping,â she explains.Â
Hooper loves various shades of pinks, blues and yellows and shares that Achillea moonshine, Astilbe ‘Peach Blossomâ and Geranium Roxanne look better and better in her garden each year. Both Giannettiâs love mixing purple with pink or white. âFor a soft pastel palette, we would use plants like lavender and thyme, which not only add beautiful pastel hues but also a wonderful scent,â they share. âPair these with pink and white roses or hydrangeas. The key is to maintain a limited palette and focus on texture for added interest.âÂ
Deep, Rich Hues
If you have an eye for the dramatic and want your home to pop, darker colors may be more your speed. The Giannettiâs recommend pairing deep, rich florals with lush greenery. âDark tulips in spring, and rich purple hydrangeas in summer are excellent choices,â they advise. âComplement these with foliage plants like boxwoods and yews to add some structure, while complementing the color scheme. You could even add blackberry vines to add a functional touch of rich beauty!âÂ
Blackberry vines will, of course, produce fruit and the berries will turn from a deep red to black as they ripen, naturally providing a beautifully rich color palette. Another option? Orange and yellow blossoms provide stark contrast to deep purple blooms, making purple and orange an unexpected, yet beautiful color scheme to try. Mix gold and orange avens (Geum spp.) or yellow Hollyhock Alcea âSpotlight Sunshine’ with purple or crimson scabiosa (or pincushion flower) for a stunning jewel-toned garden.Â
Monochromatic
A garden color scheme doesnât need to include multiple colors. In fact, going monochromatic and picking just one color is a fantastic choice, especially if you have a color youâre especially fond of. For Hooper, that color is red. âThe dramatic effect of planting beds or borders of one color is also a fun challenge, and for years I have had a red color-themed bed that I adore,â she gushes. âItâs more upkeep because I have to replant Dahlias Bishop of Llandaff each season, but they look great with red peonies, Dianthus Telstar Scarlet, and Echinacia purpurea ‘Sombrero Salsa Redâ.âÂ
âCombining different blooms in similar colorsâlike light lavenders from herb plants such as lavender and thyme, with pink and white rose varieties or hydrangeasâadds depth and variety without overwhelming the senses,â the Giannetti’s note. As with any garden color scheme, decide on the mood you want to create for your garden, then choose your color accordingly. A blue garden with blue hydrangeas, Phlox paniculata âBlue Boy’ or Delphinium ‘Million Dollar Blueâ will be calm and serene. A yellow garden with Alchemilla mollis or Baptisia ‘Caroline Moonlight’ will be bright and cheerful.Â
Keep in mind that a monochromatic garden can include various shades of the same hue, so donât be afraid to plan your purple garden with pale lavenders as well as deep purples that almost read black. âEven with a limited color palette, you can create a lot of visual interest through texture,â the Giannettiâs add.Â
Rewilding
If youâre interested in a maximalist color palette where anything goes, rewilding is a garden trend youâll love. Also referred to as meadowscaping, this garden trend relies on native grasses and wildflowers being allowed to grow freely.
âThis idea of garden chaos being positive is a big deal,â Hooper remarks. âIf you want different colors, you can do that, and it looks smashing.” If you have dreams of running through your own wildflower meadow, see what many would typically consider weeds in a new light. âWhatever seeds are in the soilâlet them grow,â Hooper suggests. âThen keep what you like, and pull out what you donât like.â
You can learn what is native to your area by doing a quick search through the National Audubon Society. From there, notice what colors and plants youâre drawn to. Because rewilding is in fact a bit wild, your color palette can remain simple if thatâs more your vibe. Stick with a monochromatic palette and choose flowers in the same shade, or select up to four different hues for a multi-color meadowscape.