With a little planning and preparation it is easy to achieve a garden with colour and interest all year round.
Design Techniques with Colour
There are many techniques to successfully combine colours in the garden, and some of these can be better understood by using a colour wheel. Colours next to each other on the colour wheel are known as complementary colours, whereas those opposite each other on the colour wheel are contrasting colours. If you are unsure of what colour combinations will work, use either complementary (adjacent) or contrasting (opposite) combinations of colour for guaranteed success.
However, if you are more adventurous you can use just about any combination of colour. Combining ‘clashing’ colours may also work as long as they are the same depth of colour. For example, combine all pastel shades together (Mauve, Lemon, Pale Pink), or all use all bright shades (Deep Blue, Canary Yellow and Hot Pink). Alternatively, white and silver or grey may be used to dilute stronger ‘clashing’ colours.
Different colours will add a sense of depth to the garden by receding into the background or jumping into the foreground. As a general rule, pale hues and shades of blue will recede, whereas bright hues and shades of yellow will appear closer. Shades of red will tend to occupy the middle ground, but will appear closer if of brighter intensity and towards the yellow spectrum, or further away if of pale intensity and towards the blue spectrum.
Hot and cool is another way to describe colour, with red, orange and yellow the hot colours and blue, purple and green the cool colours. White tends to be a cool colour, and is particularly effective when used in shady areas. Black tends to disappear in the garden, therefore if using black foliage or flowers for colour, combine with white, silver or pastel shades as a contrast.
Flower colour
Usually, we think of flowers to provide colour and interest in the garden throughout the year. Most plants flower for a short time during the year, a show that can last for a few weeks to an entire season. Some plants may be pruned to encourage a repeat performance to extend the show. Therefore, when planning planting schemes it is good to know when the main flowering season of a plant is.
Foliage colour
Colour highlights in the garden may also be provided by foliage colours other than green. There are many evergreen and deciduous plants with interesting foliage colours such as lime, gold, yellow, cream, white, silver, grey, blue, pink, burgundy, russet, red and orange.
Many plants have a combination of colours on the foliage known as variegation. The forms of variegation of many plants is huge, with striped, blotched, spotted, margined, and even chequered patterns. Variegation is usually green and gold, cream or white, but some variegation is a combination of other colours. Foliage colour may also be seasonal, particularly in deciduous plants (think of the beautiful Autumn colour of many deciduous trees), but also in evergreen plants (for example the new red growth of Photinia).
Fruit, berries, seed pods and bark may also provide colour at various times during the year.
Using a Combination of Plants
(Annuals / Perennials / Bulbs / Shrubs / Trees / Climbers)
When planning for colour in your garden, it is important to remember that all levels from the ground up may provide colour throughout the year. Therefore using a combination of plants from groundcovers to trees can really pack a colourful punch in a limited space. Using large blocks or rows of plants requires a larger space to have the same impact.
Soil and Maintenance
It is essential to provide a healthy soil environment to ensure the success of your colour display. Use composts and manures to add to the existing soil, mulch thickly, fertilise using organic fertilisers, and water when needed. Regular maintenance of the soil environment is beneficial. Top dress planted areas with compost and manure on a regular basis.
Pruning and re – planting areas will also prolong the display, add to your compost supplies and provide propagation material for future displays. Collecting seed, dividing plants and taking cuttings is a good way to renew the display and will keep the display looking fresh.
 Important note about plant availability.There are hundreds of factsheets on our website provided for your information. Not all plants will be available at all times throughout the year. To confirm availability please call (03) 8850 3030 and ask for the nursery. |
Seasons
Separate areas of the garden can be planted for a simultaneous and spectacular display at one particular time of the year. Alternatively garden beds can be planted so that there is always something in colour all throughout the year, using a clever mix of plants.
The following are some lists of plants for the Melbourne area, which add colour to the various seasons, in different positions in the garden. However, there are many more plants you can use to create your own display.
Hot Colours for Shady Areas |
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| Plant | Flowering Season | Nursery Section / Habit |
| Canna Lilies | Summer | Perennial Rhizome |
| Clivea | Spring | Perennial Lily |
| Bromeliads | Summer | Perennial Bromeliad |
| New Guinea Impatiens | Summer | Annual |
| Camellia japonica cvs. | Winter | Medium to Tall Shrub |
| Cordyline | All year | Perennial, Shrub |
| Coleus | Summer | Annual |
| Rhododendron | Autumn, Spring | Small to Large Shrub |
| Mollis Azalea | Spring | Medium Shrub |
| Fuchsia | Spring, Summer, Autumn | Small Shrub |
| Cyclamen | Autumn, Winter | Bulb, Corm |
| Primula acaulis | Winter | Annual |
| Begonia Tuberous and Cane | Summer | Annual, Perennial |
| Aucuba japonica | All year | Medium Shrub |
| Abutilon X hybrida | Spring, Summer, Autumn | Medium Shrub |
| Correa N | Autumn, Spring | Small Shrub |
Cool Colours for Shady Areas |
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| Plant | Flowering Season | Nursery Section / Habit |
| Hydrangea | Summer | Small to Medium Shrub |
| Azalea | Spring | Small Shrub |
| Cineraria | Winter | Annual |
| Daphne | Winter | Small Shrub |
| Viola and Pansy | Autumn, Winter, Spring | Annual, Perennial Groundcover |
| Impatiens | Summer | Annual |
| Liriope muscari | Autumn | Perennial Grass |
| Pieris | Spring | Medium Shrub |
| Plectranthus ecklonii | Autumn | Perennial |
| Anemone X hybrida | Autumn | Perennial |
| Ajuga | Autumn | Perennial Groundcover |
| Camellia sasanqua cvs. | Autumn, Winter | Medium to Tall Shrub |
| Helleborus orientalis | Winter | Perennial |
| Philotheca myoporoides N | Spring | Small to Medium Shrub |
| Aquilegia | Spring, Summer | Annual |
| Brachyscome multifida N | Spring, Summer, Autumn | Perennial Groundcover |
| Lilies Oriental | Summer | Bulb |
Hot Colours for Sunny Areas |
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| Plant | Flowering Season | Nursery Section / Habit |
| Hibiscus | Summer | Medium Shrub |
| Bougainvillea | Summer | Climber |
| Roses | Spring, Summer, Autumn | Shrub, Climber |
| Portulaca | Summer | Annual |
| Anigozanthos cvs. N | Summer | Perennial Strap Leaf |
| Phormium | All Year | Perennial Strap Leaf |
| Daffodils | Spring | Bulb |
| Grevillea spp. N | All Year | Small to Tall Shrubs |
| Ranunculus | Spring | Bulb |
| Euryops pectinatus | Winter | Medium Shrub |
| Geraniums | Summer | Perennial |
| Callistemon spp. | Autumn, Spring | Small Shrubs to Small Trees |
| Acacia spp. N | Winter, Spring | Medium Shrubs to Small Trees |
| Citrus | All Year | Evergreen Tree |
| Sedum spectabile | Autumn | Perennial Succulent |
| Chanomeles japonica | Winter | Medium Shrub |
| Lagerstroemia (Crepe Myrtle) | Autumn | Deciduous Tree |
| Chrysocephalum sp. N | Spring, Summer, Autumn | Perennial Groundcover |
| Robinia Sunburst | Spring, Summer, Autumn | Deciduous Tree |
| Verbena | Summer, Autumn | Annual, Perennial Groundcover |
Cool Colours for Sunny Areas |
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| Plant | Flowering Season | Nursery Section / Habit |
| Plumbago auriculata | Summer, Autumn | Medium Shrub |
| Magnolia Deciduous | Spring | Tall Shrub, Small Deciduous Tree |
| Hardenbergia violacea N | Winter | Climber |
| Prunus spp. | Spring | Deciduous Tree |
| Petunias | Summer | Annual |
| Tulips | Spring | Bulb |
| Chamelaucium uncinatum N | Winter, Spring | Medium Shrub |
| Bearded Iris | Spring, Early Summer | Perennial Rhizome |
| Federation Daisies | Spring, Summer, Autumn | Small Shrub |
| Cosmos | Summer | Annual |
| Alogyne heuglii N | Spring, Summer, Autumn | Medium Shrub |
| Alyssum | Summer | Annual |
| Primula malacoides | Winter | Annual |
| Salvias | Summer, Autumn | Perennial |
| Lavendar cvs. | Summer, Autumn | Small Shrub |
| Eremophila nivea N | Winter, Spring | Medium Shrub |
| Choisya ternata | Summer | Medium Shrub |
| Limonium perezii | Summer | Perennial |
| Erysimum Winter Joy | Winter, Spring | Perennial, Small Shrub |