8 Ways to Add Year-Round Color to Your Garden
In an ideal world, your garden would be filled with year-round seasonal color, thanks to strategic plantings. In the real world, too many of us are faced with times when our gardens are, quite frankly, rather drab and dreary. If your garden occasionally suffers from the doldrums, check out these ways to add some color that you can count on.
1. Splash on some paint. Spice up your landscape’s perimeter with color. Cooler neutral or darker shades will blend into the rest of your plantings and add a calming feel to the space, while brighter colors will pack a punch. If you’re unsure, consider green; many shades of it will blend in easily with most landscapes. In this California garden, a bright blue color enlivens the stucco wall and provides a vivid contrast to the orange cannas.
Bold Backdrops for Colorful Gardens
Bold Backdrops for Colorful Gardens
You don’t need to paint all of your fencing and walls. Using paint on only one or two walls can be equally effective. It’s a good way to set off one section of the landscape or create an accent wall. In Los Angeles, a fence painted in a blend of softer, neutral hues adds depth to this corner.
If you’re nervous about adding a large swath of permanent color, choose a smaller place to start. The built-in barbecue and nearby raised beds here got a fresh look with bright red-orange paint.
2. Seek out colorful containers. Gone are the days when terra cotta and dark green plastic reigned supreme in the world of container gardening. Though those are still valid choices, today there’s an increasing range of container colors and styles to choose from. Find one that plays off the colors of your plants or your hardscape.
Cor-Ten planters filled with edibles are lined up in front of a fence with the same color railings in this modern garden.
Here’s How to Get That Great Steel Planter Look
Cor-Ten planters filled with edibles are lined up in front of a fence with the same color railings in this modern garden.
Here’s How to Get That Great Steel Planter Look
Raised beds in a mix of hues add interest to vegetable gardens. Paint them yourself or look for options in stores and online. Another option would be to add vibrant tomato cages and plant supports.
Browse outdoor pots and planters
Browse outdoor pots and planters
3. Add some art. Sculptures and other artworks, murals, banners and even small accents can help enliven a garden. Just be sure whatever you put up can handle the elements.
4. Highlight architectural features. Think about making architectural features a highlight of your garden rather than having them retreat into the background. The windows in this stone wall are highlighted with shutters, giving it the look of an old-world ruin that complements this natural garden style.
On a smaller scale, choose a trellis that will play off the colors of the nearby plants, as this trellis does here, or provide an interesting contrast with a color that will play off the nearby plants.
5. Create colorful play areas. Children’s play areas are natural spots to play with color and experiment. This red, blue and yellow playhouse is teamed with a yellow giraffe and an oversize chessboard made from pink and blue pavers interspersed with grass.
6. Light things up. Colored lights and lanterns will ensure your garden is still colorful once the sun goes down. These lanterns are festive during the day and glow in different shades at night. You could stop with one or two, but having this many gives the space a year-round, or at least a summer-long, party feel.
7. Include some whimsy. Not sure how much to add? Even just one small thing that makes you smile can also make your garden stand out.
A bottle “tree” nestled into a patch of greenery is an unexpected surprise in a traditional landscape setting. You can find creations like this one online or try your hand at making your own from water or wine bottles. Just be sure you place it where people can’t accidentally break it.
A bottle “tree” nestled into a patch of greenery is an unexpected surprise in a traditional landscape setting. You can find creations like this one online or try your hand at making your own from water or wine bottles. Just be sure you place it where people can’t accidentally break it.
If all else fails, embrace your inner kitsch and add a garden gnome.
8. Don’t overlook furniture. Perhaps the easiest way to add color is by letting your outdoor furniture take center stage. Whether you go for cool shades or hot colors, the pieces are sure to catch your eye.
Don’t limit your furniture to the patio or deck. A strategically placed bench provides another garden destination.