SIGHT
FOR SORE EYES
C ontinuing with our ‘Five Senses’ series. Gill Heavens considers what some think of as the most relevant, the sense of sight.
Caradonna forms part of a planting scheme that mixes purples, soft pinks and dots of white
We use our eyes for admiring other peoples’ gardens and planning our own, for recognising plants and finding our way around. All very simple. There are however tricks that can be employed to visually manipulate our surroundings, by using the magical effects that the clever use of colour and form can achieve. Many of these things we do naturally, without even thinking, especially those of us who are lucky enough to ‘have an eye’ for it. Some we can learn. Hopefully you will find a few tips here to help you along the way. Firstly, let us consider the use of colour in the garden. Gertrude Jekyll, in her Colour Schemes for the Flower Garden, speaks of using plants as if they were colours on an artist’s pallet. We all have our favourite shades and hues, some enjoy pastels, some abhor yellow, and others adore green flowers. Of this there is no right or wrong; however there is a way to take our favourite hues and set them off to perfection. It appears there are rules for most things in life, and the use of colour is no exception. As an aid to artists of all persuasions (and yes gardeners are artists), someone, somewhere invented the colour wheel. This ‘wheel’ is a segmented circle each section of which is a different colour of the spectrum, in strict order. Colours next to each other are called Analogous and are harmonious, for example orange lies between red and yellow. Opposites are called Complementary and these set each other off to best 48
effect, blue opposing orange. In practice this means that orange calendulas look wonderful with yellow rudbeckia and red geums, however they are also striking when used in conjunction with royal blue delphiniums. Be careful though, keep the tint the same, strong colours with strong colours. Don’t be a martyr to the cause, what are rules for after all? In your own garden you can do whatever you like. So called “clashes”, those that go against these rules, can be both challenging and invigorating. Different colours exhibit different properties. The cooler colours such as pinks and blues perform better placed out of full sun and tend to be relaxing and calming. Bright, or hot, colours really zing in the hottest part of the garden and sizzle in the heat of the day. Cooler colours tend to recede into the background whilst the hot ones come towards you. This can be used to great effect, especially when planting out a small garden. Using bright reds and their brash associates in the foreground, and dusky mauves and lilacs towards the back of the garden will help to give the illusion of length. These rules refer not only to flowers but also to foliage and bark, as well as hard landscaping. Now we have got our colours sorted out let us think about form, or shape. Just like the colours, contrast is all. To show off your plants at their best it is as well not to place similar ones next to each other. They will just get lost in a boring blur. You have spent good money on your plants, so each and every one of them needs to be appreciated.
Country Gardener