Continuing with Contrast in the Garden

Let's pick up where we left off...

If we are planning our gardens so that the plants knit together as they mature (and we should be), then using leaf color and texture to create an appropriate level of contrast for a particular setting is a key to good design.

That sounds great, but what does that really mean. Let's look a little closer at one of the pictures from the last journal entry. Let's compare the color picture with the black and white version...

One way to contrast groups of plants is by using leaf color: a dark blue-green leaf next to a chartreuse leaf. However, we can also look at leaf size and texture. All of these things become more apparent when viewed as a black and white print. We start to pay attention to these design elements a little more.

This spring I suggest walking your gardens before you head to the nursery, taking pictures of the open areas you'd like to fill, and then, if you can, converting them to gray scale. Remember to include neighboring plants in your viewfinder. Then, think about what type of plant will look good next to the plants that are already there. For example, where you already have a mass of large-leaf plants, shop for a small-leaf plant...

Where you already have small-leaf plants, pick up strappy-leaf plants, such as a grass or daylily...

Where you already have solid green leaf, look for a variegated plant...

Armed with these mental notes and photos from just a bit of planning before you head to the nurseries will ensure a better shopping experience. If nothing else, you'll be able to justify your buying spree.

Next time we'll discuss how to shop at the nurseries. Until then...