The Best Plant Color Combinations for a Stunning Garden
To many, gardening is an art form, a place for self-expression through color and texture. Picking plants and flowers for your garden is a personal choice, and there really is no right or wrong. That said, there is something about certain plant and flower color combinations that add another level of depth and beauty to your landscape. Colors pop while other recede in the background, making for a well-balanced framework for your home or garden.
In this blog post, we have listed some of the most popular and eye-catching color combinations for your garden, as well as plant and flower lists by color. Happy garden designing!
Pink, Fuchsia, and Lime Green
This dynamic color combo will brighten up your outdoor space. However, the vibrancy of the colors may also make a small space feel even smaller. This combo is a great one to add to the front entryway, window boxes, and containers, as the bright, bold hues will draw attention.
Pink flowers
Azalea
Coneflower
Hibiscus
Peony
Tulip
Fuchsia flowers
Begonia
Bleeding heart
Bougainvillea
Camellia
Fuchsia
Lime green flowers & plants
Aureola
Green lace primrose
Hosta
Sweet potato vine
Zinnia
Red, White, and Blue
The Fourth of July isn’t the only time to enjoy this lively color combo. In fact, this garden mixture is a classic one. Plant them in a bright white window box or planter (like one of these rot-proof composite planters), and you have a perfect neutral backdrop that will make these colors pop.
Red flowers
Calibrachoa
Geranium
Impatiens
Salvia
Snapdragon
White flowers
Daisy
Hydrangea
Impatiens
Sweet alyssum
White flox
Blue flowers
Blue bells
Borage
Larkspur
Lobelia
Morning glory
Blue-Green, Light Green, Pastel Pink, and Deep Violet
A soothing color palette like this one has an almost watercolor-like appearance, whether the colors are used all together or in any combination. Calming greens and blues are a wonderful muted background for a shock of violet florals. Add pastel pink in to create a cheerful—though still restful—visual break, something that is especially appreciated in gloomier climates.
Blue-green flowers & plants
Blue Sedum
Dandelion flower
Eucalyptus
Himalayan blue poppy
Spruce
Light green plants
Angelica
Bells of Ireland
Chrysanthemum
Gladiolus
Lady’s Mantle
Pastel pink flowers
Angelique Tulip
Dahlia
Foxglove
Rhododendron
Rose of Sharon
Deep violet flowers
Bellflower
Catmint
Clematis
Lavender
Verbena
Orange, Pink, and Yellow
Grab attention with this arresting flower color combination. Light and cheerful, this trio of energetic colors will attract both guests and butterflies (who love bright blossoms!).
Orange flowers
California poppy
Daylily
Gerbera daisy
Lantana
Marigold
Pink flowers
Allium
Astilbe
Hollyhock
Sweet pea
Sweet William
Yellow flowers
Black-eyed Susan
Daffodils
Gold daylily
Sunflowers
Tulips
All White or Cream
An all-white or -cream garden set off by verdant greenery is a garden classic. To pull off this look, it’s important to choose the same shade of white throughout (as an example, a cream foxglove may look faded next to bright white daisies). Silver- and gray-toned greenery add color and texture to this peaceful garden palette.
White flowers
Calla lily
Heliotrope
Hydrangea
Jasmine
Petunia
Cream flowers
Dahlia
Garden roses
Gladiolus
Iceberg rose
Lilac
Burgundy and Green
Another classic garden duo, burgundy and green work well together visually, and provide even more richness with gold and red foliage added to it. These earthy tones perfectly complement wooden architectural elements and rustic window boxes.
Burgundy flowers & plants
Coleus
Geranium
Hellebore
Penstemon blackbird
Tulip
Green plants
Bird’s nest fern
Canna lily
Creeping Jenny
Lamb’s ear
Sweet potato vine
Plant a Colorful Container or Window Garden
Smaller “gardens” like container gardens and window boxes are a great way to add pops of color and complement your home’s architectural theme. For example, a hayrack window box has rustic appeal for farm- and country-style houses, whereas a more contemporary home is best complemented with a more streamlined, modern window box design.
When it comes to which plants to choose for your planter or container, think about which plants need the same amount of sun or shade as the location provides. Next, think about creating a balanced look with the “thriller, filler, spiller” principle: “thriller” plants give the arrangement height, “fillers” fills out the middle with greenery, and “spillers” spill out at the bottom.
Since you’re working with a significantly smaller gardening space than a yard or garden bed, choosing the right color palette is crucial. To grab the eye, choose plants with complimentary colors like yellow and blue. For a more subtle, sophisticated arrangement of foliage, choose a more subdued color combination, like green, white, and silver. Whatever you choose, keep in mind both the color and style of your house, as these planters will act as “accessories,” the way a pair of earrings should set off a dress instead of compete or contrast with it.
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