| One aspect of gardening that many of us have | | | | Another great source of contrast is form. This can |
| trouble with is applying the elements of design to our | | | | mean contrasting form on a small scale, from plant to |
| landscaping and garden design, especially when the | | | | plant, or on the larger scale of the entire garden. |
| design isn't planned as a whole. This can lead to a | | | | When I see a landscape with many low, wide hedges |
| variety of problems, such as jarring color | | | | or stout bushes, I'll often suggest the addition of a |
| combinations or distractingly busy gardens. One of | | | | few tall, thin trees as accents. In a bed of very |
| the most common problems I see in garden designs | | | | round forms, such as shrubs or round flowers, a few |
| is that they just turn out a little boring. A great way | | | | spear-shaped plants can break up the uniformity very |
| to fix this is to break up the uniformity and add a | | | | well. On the larger scale, contrasting entire design |
| little contrast, and here are a few design ideas to | | | | forms can work very well. In a formal garden, the |
| help you do that. | | | | even, squared beds can be quite boring. Using a more |
| The easiest way to add contrast to your landscape | | | | organic, informal planting style within those geometric |
| is color. One way is to contrast light and dark colors. | | | | beds can make a huge difference, and can be a very |
| Adding a plant with deep red or very dark green | | | | beautiful method of creating interest. Interest can |
| foliage to a brightly-colored garden can make a huge | | | | also be created using plant forms that are very |
| difference. Try deep purple or red flowers for a | | | | different from those of the beds. In very round or |
| garden with mostly pastels. In a garden that tends | | | | informal beds, use a few hedges or bushes pruned to |
| toward dark foliage, a few bright accent flowers or | | | | be precisely square or rectangular. |
| plants, or even a white sculpture, fence, or | | | | A more subtle way to add interest is by contrasting |
| flagstones can be exactly what you need. This is | | | | textures within the garden. On the smaller level, this |
| very common in Japanese garden designs, where a | | | | can mean using smooth, glossy leaves with softer or |
| dark, carefully pruned tree against a white wall can | | | | even ruffled foliage. On the larger level, it is often |
| be a stunning thing. The other way to create | | | | easiest to contrast textures using the elements of |
| contrast with color is to go to the other side of the | | | | your landscape that aren't plants. A painted wall can |
| color wheel. Use red accents to contrast with greens, | | | | be a very interesting smooth surface, but it can be |
| or a few blue flowers in a garden of reds and | | | | even more interesting if it is broken up with carefully |
| oranges. This is a method often used in cottage and | | | | placed climbing plants. Using gravel or stone under a |
| English garden designs, where the profusion of | | | | very textured shrub can be a very striking view. A |
| flowers often calls for colors as the main method of | | | | smooth stone pathway through soft grass or |
| creating contrast. It is also used very effectively in | | | | mulched planting beds is a wonderful contrast. |
| many tulip beds, where so many similar flowers at a | | | | However you create it, any garden needs contrasting |
| similar, orderly height can create a sea of color that is | | | | elements to keep from being a boring, uniform space. |
| beautiful when broken up with a few carefully placed | | | | Consider this important design principle when planning |
| contrasting flowers. | | | | your next update to your landscape design. |