Drought tolerant garden filled with primary colors from succulents, sages, lavender. Outdoor kitchen and wood-fired pizza oven and flagstone patio are ideal locations to take in the view.
Communicate with Color
It may seem obvious that color communicates, fashion trends show that, I’m not sure if dressing head to toe in black is still “in” but it is a fashion statement for sure and for me at least brings to mind the no-nonsense minimalism of NYC.
Color is one key elements of garden design that sets the mood.
This exuberant color garden design in Carpinteria foothills attracts hummingbirds, butterflies and other pollinators. It is the perfect example of mood created by color
Setting The Mood
Color communicates the mood, the vibe of a space. The simplicity is this, the feeling, mood, or vibe you want to experience in your garden can be done with color. Lots of different bright colors in a garden expresses happiness, exuberance and joy. However, it is not very calming.
Magnificent Mediterranean garden design in Montecito with drought tolerant plantings of Italian cypress, lavender, sage, rosemary and olives surround a central courtyard and pond
Cool colors and calm
If you want the experience of calm, stay with cool colors, blues, purples and of course green and in fact the fewer colors the better. Think fields of lavender, what mood does that evoke for you? In fact if you really want a calming effect, using plants without flowers works too. Surrounding yourself with different shades of green can be very calming. However, different colors create different effects on everyone, so your idea of relaxing and calm could be something else. Beauty and the Beholder and all that.
Wisteria is the single pop of early spring color in this elegant Montecito courtyard garden. Boxwood hedges contain Rose gardens and Hydrangea so that every time of year there is something different in bloom
White-classic elegance
If you want to convey elegance, try using one color of blooming plant, white blooms are the classic choice. The most elegant gardens are simple with whites and greens, white hydrangeas, white roses, just white. A “white garden” is a personal favorite of mine, it is pure classic elegance.
This classic “white garden” Santa Barbara garden design is calming and elegant with drought tolerant falkia repens and Iceberg roses along. The fountain adds to the ambience of elegance and luxury.
Lotusland does it best
If you like, create separate gardens on your property, each one evoking a different emotional response. Lotusland does this marvelously well, to go from the Japanese Garden through the Bamboo garden and to end up at the Lotus pond gives the observer many different moods. With 37 acres of gardens the changes in scene are incredible.
Lotus pond in bloom at Lotusland in Montecito
Different spaces-different moods
Each specific garden can create different emotional responses and you don’t have to own a 37 acre estate to pull it off. The first step is to decide what emotion you want to feel when you stroll through your garden. Consider all the areas you have to work with, the outdoor dining area, pool area, secret garden can all create different feelings. Thoughtful color combinations can help achieve the garden of your dreams.
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And, until next time, Fill Your Garden with Joy!
xo Lisa