Perennial Garden Color

3. Arranging Perennials in the Garden

Perrenial PDFs FCID.indd 46 11/28/12 4:42 PM 36 Arr2lnging JPeremmiah; in the Garden --~============~-------------------~ The aim of the classic English perennial border is lhe creation of beautiful landseapc pictures. The border maker must begin with very dcfinitc objcctives in mind. Planr material should rhen be carefully selected by the rules of artistic design [Q ath ieve rhe chosen objective. COLOR The most obvious canon of artistic design in border making is color. Like an impressionist paiming, clumps or "drifts" of bloom and foliage colors compose bordt-r design. The Classical English borders from the turn of [he century utilized either "single theme" colors or subde gradations of pastels. In the plans with which GenrudeJekyll illustrated her book of 1908, CO /Ollr S{htllltJ for lIN Flowtr Gardtf/, she often began at the far end of her borders with blue grays and grays, passing on to blues, whites, pale yellows, pale pinks, and from there shading IOto stronger yellows, then to oranges and reds, and then gradually paling again into the light pastels with the addition of lilacs and purples. Almost always, springtime in thl'SC herbaceous gardens featured light yellows and pale lilacs, amid whites. On the other hand , special "color theme" gardens were also popular in classically designed English borders. Perhaps the most common of these was the whitc garden, a d isplay of white flowers accented with gray foliaged plants. T he archetype ofall English white gardens was Vita Sackville-West's creation at Sissinghurst Castle in "Drifts·· of blooms iJJus!ra{{~ the elemcn! ofcolor in border design. Perrenial PDFs FCID.indd 47 12/3/12 3:00 PM The U~ of stru(turai material cao contribute to perennial garden color. Kent. The English also favor gold gardens with conifers or shrubs, blue gardens, and red gardens which also include pinks and rose. Of course, the show ofcolor in a herbaceous border depends upon the succession of bloom, and should be planned so chat some areas are offering a colorful display while ocher drifts are only exhibiting their foliage. As Jekyll said, "Ie is impossible and even undesirable, ro have a garden in bloom allover, and groups of Rower beauty are all the more enjoyable (or being morc or less isolated by srretches of intervening greenery" (114). Remember that color comes to the landscape from several sources. In addition [Q perennial and annual Rowers , structural materials such as waUs, fences, pavings and buildings can contribute a colorful note. Trees, shrubs, turf and groundcovers also play their parr, and their seasonal changes pose intriguing challenges. Seasonal changes ofplant materials provide a challenge in subtle uses ofcolor. Even the brightest flower colors are subdued by the neurral values ofgreen, which are present in abundance with them. In outdoor light, and with patterns ofshade and shadow, color is an all-important tool in the hands of the clever designer. For this reason it is important in choosing plant material to see the plant at its maturity, to form an accurate judgment of its color and other artistic considerations. Tours of nurseries and public and private gardens are almost essential in this regard. 37 Perrenial PDFs FCID.indd 48 11/28/12 4:42 PM 38 ARRANGING PERENNIALS IN ·(HE GARDENS LINE The word "line" has many connorations. but practically all relate to direction. In design disciplintos. line is usually a mark made by pencil . ink, brush or other device to form the basis of the design pattern as distinguished from shading, shadows or colors. In garden design all types of lines are employed to create interesting space relationships. As lines serve for definition of space, they must be considered one of the most valuable tools in the hands of a designer. Lines may be either straight or curved. Since herbaceous borders use line to define their shape, the overall design of the border is greatly enhanced and strengthened when backed with a wall, fence or tall, dark green hedge. In England, yews (Taxus sp.) or holly (llex sp.) furnish the materials for these features. In Texas and the Gulf SOuth {here are numerous species suitable for [his task, such as yaupon ( Ilex vomitrma), cherry laurel ( Pmnus (arobniana), southern wax myrtle (Myrica (tri/tra), Texas mountain laurel (Sophora Ilrundijlora), orJapanese yew (Podocarpus macrophylla). Whether designing a cottage garden or a herbaceous border, the lines created by these walls, fences, hedges, and the edges of the planting areas...