Monochromatic Garden Scheme
One of the
simplest color schemes for your garden is the monochromatic scheme. This scheme
is composed around one color. You may ask, Won't a garden with just one color
be boring? A well planned
monochromatic garden can be cooling, refined, imaginative, straightforward,
calming, hot, delicate or lively…..it will never be boring. Keep in mind, a one
color scheme can incorporate numerous shades, tints and tones of that single
color. The possibilities are unlimited. A solitary color scheme liberates you
so you can focus on form and texture. Height, Shape and foliage composition are
more noticeable, and subsequently, they become substantially more important in
a monochromatic scheme. Combining imaginative form, texture, and design with
subtleness of a monochromatic color scheme can bring about an extremely
sophisticated effect. Another plus of the monochromatic color scheme its that
it creates a felling of spaciousness, since it's not hindered or broken by an
alternate color. Therefore, it's a fantastic scheme for a smaller garden. A
solitary color does NOT suggest a solitary flower. Besides annuals and
perennials, consider bushes, trees and vines that will "upgrade" your
solitary color plan with their blossoms, foliage, bark and buds. Here are a few
simple guidelines for a rewarding monochromatic garden.
The crimson tones in the coleus and impatiens are dazzling in this monochromatic planting. |
Simple Guidelines for a Rewarding Monochromatic Garden
1. Use numerous
tints, shades and tones of a single color.
2. Use the
entire color line of a single color.
3. Remember
less is more.
5. Pay
attention to the deviations of a solitary color and integrate them in your
scheme for captivation.
6. Texture and
repetition help characterize the garden. Redundancy likewise brings together a
garden blueprint.
7. To clearly
define color masses pay special attention to height variations.
8. To add
enthusiasm to the monochromatic garden pay attention to form.
9. To move from
one shade to the next utilize the green foliage.
10. Use plant
groupings of distinctive sizes, contingent upon the darkness or lightness of
your solitary color. Plan
your plantings of various shapes and sizes around the lightness or darkness of
the color. To gain a satisfactory visual expression, plant a greater amount of
the lighter color plants than darker ones.
11. Increase
the number of plants in each group by 1/3 as the shade of your color becomes
lighter. As an example, for a pink color scheme you could utilize nine light
pink plants, six red/pinkish plants and three burgundy plants.
To complete
your monochromatic garden, don’t overlook architectural elements. For a more
completed look you can include color-coordinated hardscaping. Use shades of
your color on structures for fascinating impacts. Fences, arbors, benches,
structures and ornaments don’t
always need to be a dull brown or grey.
Bold window boxes and painted pots an supplement your plantings. A
vividly painted birdhouse, a bright blue bench or even a purple doghouse can
make monochromatic garden come alive.
MOON GARDEN
My favorite monochromatic garden scheme is a moon garden. A
moon garden is the ideal spot to prop up your feet at the end of a hectic day.
The garden is a retreat, loaded with soothing sounds, fragrant aromas of blooms
and moonlit magnificence. A well-planed moon garden conveys stillness and
tranquility. As the daylight ends and nightfall descends, take a bit of time to
relax. Invest that time in a garden that is elevating and moving, rather than
before the TV. Making a moon garden incorporates serenity into your landscape,
and its simpler than you might suspect.
To create a moon garden that overflows with tranquility,
begin with a prime area, not a huge size. Without a doubt, the garden ought to
be large enough to incorporate a couple of the fundamental components, however
it needn't be intimidating to make or keep up. More modest, more personal
gardens regularly lend themselves to unwinding. They encompass you and focus
your senses more than wide, open spaces.
- White blossoms are the hallmark of any moon garden
- Silver foliage lighten up the moon garden and glow in the moonlight
- A fountain adds soothing and jovial sounds of moving water.
- Candles or low lights add to the mystic of a moon garden
- Mirrored balls can reflect the low light and add interest.
- A few colored accents are welcomed and add interest during the day. Too many colors become muddy at night
- Mosquitoes are attracted to moon gardens also so take precautions.
- Bat houses or ponds stocked with goldfish can help with insect control.
Plant the
fundamental part of the garden around a living space, then utilize a percentage
of the same plants out farther into the outlying areas to make the garden
appear to subside into the night, giving a greater feeling of space and
softening the garden directly into the night. Placing your moon garden at the
end of a delicately lit path will incorporate the journey into the gardens
character. In order to make your
moon garden a peaceful oasis, privacy will be a significant factor in the
placement of the garden.
Regardless of
the size and area of your moon garden, there are a handful of key segments that
assume important roles in making your evening sanctum. A garden is physically
constructed of plants and blossoms, yet a moon garden is portrayed by its
climate, as well. The center of your garden is its soul, its tone and the
mind-set its intended to conjure. Basically, the right sorts of plants and
blooms, mixed with the finest trimmings, can mold a garden to both stir your
senses and settle your spirit.
Foliage Plants
Foliage plants
are the backbone of any garden, creating a backdrop for flowering plants. In a
moon garden foliage plants have their own characteristics, this is especially
true when using variegated foliage plants. To naturally lighten up the moon
garden use foliage plants with white and cream colored leaves that will reflect
the moonlight beautifully.
I like to start with a handful of Dappled Willow trees. They lend height to the moon garden and are
used to define the area of the garden. I then add a few dwarf conifers to
extend the backdrop for the lighter-shaded flowers and to keep interest during the
winter. If you have a larger space regular conifers can be used for the same
effect. Woody plants will establish a foundation for your moon garden, so
choose them carefully. Don’t go overboard, remember more is not always better.
Dappled willow trees and shrubs will grow well in full sun, part sun or part shade. Best color is produced in full sun. |
Now that we
have a foundation for our moon garden and the perimeter has been
established we can add a natural
privacy fence for a more intimate garden. I like to create my fence using a
mixture of grasses like: Blue Fescue, Panicum Heavy Metal and Blue Oat Grass
To complete the foundation of the moon garden add a few
grayish-blue accents by adding perennials like: false indigo, lamb’s ears and
sea holly. Not only will these plants lighten the moon garden up, they will
also give it compelling textural notes with their upright, spiny and soft
foliages.
Flowers
Now the fun
begins, creating the heart and soul of your moon garden. Choosing flowers for
your moon garden is like throwing an exclusive party
with a members only guest list. White and cream-colored flowers like: white
oriental lilies, angel’s trumpet and moonflowers, sparkle in the twilight.
Coupled with their delicious nighttime fragrance they are a must have for any
moon garden.
Mix annuals that have sheer blooming power with perennials
that have longevity. Including non-fragrant perennials and annuals like: Gaura,
white coneflowers, garden phlox, sweet alyssum and Shasta daisies, will keep
the moon garden from overpowering the senses and allow it to have interest
during the daytime hours.
Mixing typical
gray-foliaged plants, with simple day-blooming white flowers, and blossoms with
a true nocturnal nature, the ghostlike paleness of blooms and leaves and the
mystical buzzing and floating of the nighttime moths can be enjoyed together.
The entire moon garden can be coordinated to showcase the extraordinary
magnificence of plants in cool, blue lunar light.
Garden Furniture
You will need a
reflective area to relax in order to utilize your moon garden for solace. The furniture
placed in your moon garden ought to be inviting to you and your visitors.
Overstuffed weatherproof chairs will allow you to sink down into luxury. A hand
carved wooden bench will give a more natural feel to the moon garden. Alternately, you may need to include a
sprinkle of pale shades by adding some painted patio furniture to draw the eye.
Whatever you choose, make sure it is comfortable and agrees with your homes
style. A foot stool, a chaise or even a bistro table for wine glasses isn’t a
bad idea either.
Fountain
You could
install an in-ground water feature for the moon garden to add the soothing and
jovial sounds of moving water. However, a standing fountain will provide the
same traits at half the cost. Never buy a fountain without being able to hear
it first. Noisy motors aren’t attractive and you will have to decide if you
want a babbling sound or a trickling one. Hide the fountain in the foliage
plants so it doesn’t become a prominent focal point and make sure you bury the
cord in conduit to avoid accidents in the dark. Wind chimes can be used as an
alternative to a fountain. Deep hollow bamboo tones or clean, crisp metal notes
are great choices.
Fire
Placing a
chimnea or fire pit in the center of your moon garden’s sitting area allows you
to enjoy the garden year round. On cold night it will warm the toes as you sip
warm beverages to warm your insides. For a bit of romance and subtleness you
can incorporate hanging candle chandeliers, votives, or candelabras all of
which will look alluring in the dusk.
Under the moon, a garden communicates its magnificence
through the cadenced of light and shade in its reflecting surfaces. Some will enjoy it in silent seclusion
while others in jovial jubilation. However you enjoy yours, a moon garden is a
place where life’s treasures can be cherished and revealed.