This year we are learning all about color in the garden,
using Penelope Hobhouse’s book Color in Your Garden. This month we're
spicing things up with "hot colors", and developing a plant palette
of these rich, vibrant colors for our San Francisco Bay Area gardens.
Hobhouse defines hot colors as the spectral reds, oranges
and yellows, ranging from red to yellow—including pure red through scarlet,
vermilion, and cinnabar—to the richer orange-yellow. They are the warmest,
lightest, and brightest colors – sunset colors that represent the warmth of
fire and flame. The eye must adjust to the longer wavelength of these hot colors.
The reds contain no blue (so differ from the stronger
crimsons that are considered Strong Reds). The deep yellows are orange tinged
and have warmth, and the oranges are bright yet dark (lacking the gleam,
luminosity, and clarity of Pure Yellow).
Spring
We tend to want the restful and pleasing textured greens and
grays of assorted foliage in our gardens, and yet we yearn for a glimpse of a
vivid color through the green leaves. In hot climates, the fierce sun makes
bright hues paler, but under gray skies the colors can be almost garish. The long red rays of evening sun mellow and enrich, the bright hues become
deeper and more somber.
Summer
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| Day Lily |
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| Lion's Tail |
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| Succulent |
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| Unknown |
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| Yellow Poker |
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| Bird of Paradise (multi-season) |
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Hobhouse recommends using bright colors for focus areas, and
not for the whole garden. Plant bright colors for emphasis, contrast, and
warmth. For example, contrast bright colors with greens or lighter shades of
yellow, or grays (like Artemisia). Add blocks of white flowering plants to add brightness. Darken the purity of hot colors by using plants with shaded
pigment, or plant hot colors in the shade where violet light links and darkens,
and reduces the glare.
Fall
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| Sunflower |
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| Dahlia |
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| Flowering Gum |
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| Magnolia Berries |
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Place bright reds, oranges, and yellows against a background
of low-toned complementary or contrasting color, such as:
- Bright orange flowers against pale blue catmint.
- Scarlet tulips against a bed of pale blue forget-me-nots.
- Harsh yellow roses against violet colored lavender flowers.
- Bright pairs of complementary colors
used together to make small, separate pictures (such as spring blues and
yellows in neighboring drifts, or blues and oranges).
Winter
In addition, use brick walls of warm orange, red-toned or
buff, instead of red brick, and use garden furniture in plain low-toned or dark
colors. Use weathered and aged terracotta pots.
Foliage
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| Summer Poinsettia |
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| Pepper Tree |
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Fall foliage naturally takes on the hot colors of yellow,
orange and red. Factor this seasonal change into your garden design, as well interesting seeds and berries.
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