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Try mixing plants with variegated foliage, such as hosta (below left) with blowsy bloomers like hydrangea (below right)
ear (Stachys byzantina) also add good contrast. “Silver foliage groundcovers such as snow-in-summer (Cerastium tomentosum), silverbush (Convolvulus cneorum) and rose campion (Lychnis coronaria) work beautifully in a white garden as they provide year-round foliage contrast when not in flower,” says Chris. Include white variegated plants for even more juxtaposition in the garden.
give the garden an unflattering glare. “Too much white can be stark, so using plants with grey, silver or lime green foliage will soften the look while still emphasising the theme,” says Dee McQuillan. Also, “Don’t shy away from whites that have creamy yellow or blush undertones as this adds depth and interest to the flowers,” adds Chris Prebble. Foliage accents Use a flower’s small differences and include other plants in the garden that highlight these attributes. For example, silver foliage is eye-catching when paired with cool white flowers. The frilly foliage of artemisia and the soft fuzziness of lamb’s bunnings.co.nz |
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PRO TIP “Guide your dinner guests to your front door by planting scented white flowers, such as gardenias or daphne (Daphne odora 'Alba'), which will glow in the evening light, along the edges of your pathway and in containers on either side of the door” Chris Prebble Mosaic Design
Pot luck Including planters creates an additional layer of contrast. Old washtubs and plain terracotta pots add dimension without stealing attention away from the white palette. “Add in some accessories to finish the look – a beautiful garden bench, perhaps, or some feature pots with pretty white annuals,” says Dee. Any hardscaping design choices, such as gravel walkways or stone paths, should blend into the space and allow the white flowers to stand out. Light-coloured options are best, but not white, as that will give the garden a washed-out appearance. Dark-coloured pergolas or outdoor furniture are fine, but should be used sparingly as they can draw attention away from the palette as the garden’s focal point. If there’s brick or wood nearby, these can look great incorporated into a white palette. If the background doesn’t fit with the design, draw attention away from it. Planting tall, frilly white irises nearby, for example, can draw the eye away and maintain the focus on the garden itself. Alternatively, use paint. “If you’re planting against a fence backdrop, you could either paint the fence black for a dramatic look that makes the plants pop, or a blue-toned grey for a softer, more romantic look,” suggests Dee. ¿
Photography Gap Photos/Anna Omiotek-Tott, design Sarah Keyser CouCou Design. Some photographs feature products from suppliers other than Bunnings
Add height and structure “Use a feature tree for height with some structural planting such as hedges, shrubs or topiary that will hold their shape year round,” says Dee. “Then use seasonal flowering plants – spring bulbs, summer annuals, etc – as the filler to create that wow factor across the seasons. Climbing plants add vertical interest and make the garden planting seem full and abundant.”