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A garden bursting with colour has the power to transform a landscape, lift the mood, and create a lasting sense of wonder. But using colour effectively in garden design requires more than simply choosing plants you love—it's about understanding how colours interact, how they behave in light, and how they guide the eye through a space.

Before selecting your palette, consider when you want your garden to look its best. Mass plantings of seasonal colour often make a stronger impact than small scattered pockets of interest. And with a bit of colour theory, you can create a garden that feels balanced, expressive, and beautiful throughout the seasons.

Below, we explore how different colours function in the landscape and how to use them intentionally for maximum effect.

Clear yellow is one of the brightest and most visible colours in the garden. It instantly adds cheer and draws attention, making it ideal for focal points or areas where you want a strong statement. Yellow pairs especially well with darker oranges, reds, and lime greens, creating vibrant and lively combinations that energize a space.

Blue is a unique colour in garden design because it can be both calming and subtly stimulating. As a cool colour, blue visually recedes, creating the illusion of distance and extra space. This makes it perfect for the back of borders or areas where you want depth. To enhance the purity of blue flowers, pair them with white or pale yellow—they brighten the blue and help it stand out beautifully.

Pinks and mauves often act as gentle neutrals in a planting scheme, adding softness rather than dramatic impact. These hues gain structure when combined with plants that have grey or silver foliage, which highlights and supports their delicate tones. Flowers such as phlox can be enhanced by adding neighbouring plants that echo the darkest shade found within their inner markings, creating cohesive and elegant layers of colour.

Strong reds behave like exclamation points in the garden. Bold and commanding, they naturally draw the eye and add drama. When red is combined with deep purples or rich browns, the effect becomes luxuriously moody and mysterious. These combinations work well in areas where you want atmosphere or intensity, such as bold summer borders.

Hot colours—bright yellows, oranges, and reds—are often called “sunset colours.” These tones are visually intense and full of energy, which can make them overwhelming when placed too close or used too heavily. Instead of positioning them front and center, allow hot colours to peek through layers of greenery or tall plantings. They become far more rewarding when glimpsed unexpectedly.

Orange-yellow flowers pair beautifully with magenta pinks for playful contrast, while vermilion combines well with deep yellow for a strong yet harmonious display.

When used thoughtfully, colour can shape mood, create depth, highlight focal points, and bring harmony to your outdoor space. Start by deciding how you want your garden to feel—energetic, peaceful, dramatic, or balanced—and let colour guide the design from there.

With mindful placement you can create a landscape that is vibrant, cohesive, and captivating throughout the year.