Golden Green

Elisabeth — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 14:16:00 GMT

I wouldn't wear chartreuse, that yellow-green shade that is identified with a French liqueur and the psychedelic sixties. I would not use it in my home decor, except as an occasional accent. Why then, do I use it in the garden?

Because it lends sparkle and surprise, not to mention lightening up dark corners.

Other gardeners evidently agree with me, because chartreuse plants, including many new hybrids as well as old favorites, are everywhere. If you are partial to annuals, you can install 'Envy' zinnias or some of the many coleus varieties that are entirely or partly chartreuse. Almost every category of perennial plants features at least one species or variety with golden green leaves or flowers. Think of the sprightly Heuchera 'Lime Rickey' or Echinacea 'Coconut Lime'. Lots of sedums contribute to the parade of golden green, including the lovely Sedum repestre 'Angelina'. Even good old 'Autumn Joy' bears chartreuse flower heads in early summer. By late summer and fall those same flowers darken to shades of rose.

In recent years, hydrangea enthusiasts have been able to buy and enjoy an outstanding chartreuse-flowered variety called 'Lime Light'. George Washington planted tulip poplar at Mount Vernon (where one of the general's original trees still stands) and undoubtedly enjoyed the chartreuse and orange flowers that bear a resemblance to the tulips for which the tree is named.

Like me, you may never wear chartreuse or its close relation, lime green. Accenting your garden in that shade, however, is a completely different thing!

Color

Elisabeth — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 03:17:00 GMT

I went into a yarn shop not long ago and forgot why I was there. Tables, shelves and display racks overflowed with yarns in every conceivable shade. Most were grouped according to color families. Suddenly my body was in the middle of the yarn shop, but my head was in the garden.

Color is a big part of my gardening experience. I love the way yellow and blue-flowered plants bring out the best in each other and what white flowers do to light up dark corners. Sometimes I love color contrasts like chartreuse zinnias combined with purple ones. Other times I like gradations of one color, like a bouquet of mixed roses, all in shades of peach.

This year I am thinking about strong blues and blue-purples. Right now my beds and borders have lots of pastels and it's time to add a little more drama. I'll get down to business and consider the many blue-toned salvia, veronica and hardy geranium varieties, not to mention trusty old tradescantia or spiderwort for shady spots. Some additional velvety deep purple iris would go a long way in the late spring and I don't believe it's possible to have too much lavender in any garden at any time.

Before my trip to the yarn shop I hadn't realized how the gray February days have permeated my thinking. All of those beautiful yarns have re-energized my garden plans.

Growing Wise : color in the garden

Golden Green

Color