Happy Friday, GPODers!
It’s safe to say that every gardener has a particular penchant for color. Whether it’s a riot of color combinations (flowers and foliage in every hue and shade) or a monochromatic moment (a lush forest of greens from crawlers to canopy), we all have a color palette that we feel at home in.
While pinks and purples might not be everyone’s cup of tea, Ainsley Mumford Jones in Asheville, North Carolina, has executed this color palette perfectly.
As contrasting colors, purple and green are a classic combination. Using these cooler tones, Ainsley has created a sense of calm in this full-sun bed with varied foliage textures backdropping a pop of purple woodland sage (
Salvia nemorosa, Zones 4–8).
City gardens aren’t usually the most expansive spaces, but Ainsley manages to draw her visitors in with shady paths and seating areas surrounded by flowers. Here, light purple phlox and bright pink dianthus (perhaps Dianthus gratianopolitanus ‘Firewitch’, Zones 3–9) lead you down stone steps to the cozy garden beyond.
Yet another purple plant that looks great in so many gardens—Rozanne geranium (Geranium ‘Rozanne’, Zones 4–8)—is also paired perfectly with various shades of green foliage.
Invoking the colors of a breathtaking sunset, Ainsley pairs a lighter pink dianthus (perhaps Dianthus ‘Bath’s Pink’, Zones 3–8) and purple catmint (Nepeta spp. and cvs., Zones 3–9) with the swirling orange in the stone tiles that form their small patio. It’s easy to pair up plant colors when browsing the nursery or garden center, but don’t forget to take the surrounding hardscaping into consideration too.
Has Ainsley convinced you to add some pops of purple to your garden? You can see all the amazing things she does with color in her garden (and in her amazing watercolor paintings) by checking out her Instagram: @aamumford
And I would love to see and hear why you feature a particular color in your garden. Drop a comment below, or send photos of your garden color combos to gpod@taunton.com.
Have a garden you’d like to share?
Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit!
To submit, send 5-10 photos to gpod@taunton.com along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden.
Have a mobile phone? Tag your photos on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with #FineGardening!
Do you receive the GPOD by email yet? Sign up here.
Fine Gardening Recommended Products
Spear & Jackson 4930FZ Razorsharp Telescopic Tree Pruner
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
Telescopic tree pruner with SK5 carbon steel blade which stays sharper for longer. Variable length telescopic handle extends up to 92 Inch (2340mm). Lopper for cutting branches up to 1.2" (30mm). 13 inch (330mm) saw is ideal for cutting thicker branches. Supplied with a long cord and pull-action handle. Part of the Razorsharp Advantage collection, the obvious choice for gardeners who demand and expect precise, powerful performance. "Grow Your Own" Great British Growing 2020 Award Winners.
Gardena 3103 Combisystem 12-Inch To 20-Inch Adjustable Metal Fan Rake Head
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
With adjustable tine spacing: suitable for raking coarse and fine material. Flexible, zinc-plated spring-steel prongs. Working width adjustable from 12-20 inches. Sold as head only, handle sold separately.
SHOWA Atlas 370B Nitrile Palm Coating Gloves, Black, Medium (Pack of 12 Pairs)
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
Lightweight and close-fitting for excellent dexterity. Machine washable. Breathable back of hand to reduce perspiration. Designed for easy movement and continuous wear. Ideal for aerospace, assembly, automotive, construction, final fix, gardening, manufacturing, operating machinery, packaging, precision handling, tiling, warehousing.
Comments
Very nice ! With regards to "featuring" colors that I like in my gardens , I'll just say this : I've never seen a color that I didn't like --- and I employ them all . My tulips for 2024 will be submitted soon from the Mohawk Valley in central NYS . Peace to all .
Wow! So very pretty!
What a very pretty garden! I especially love the plants spilling over the edges of the stone steps. Would love to spend time in this garden!
Wonderful terracing with the stone work and love your color palette of purples blues and pinks in a garden- it's always so calming and cool. Very nice job!
Log in or create an account to post a comment.
Sign up Log in