COLOUR IN MY GARDEN 



colours are typified in scarlet Lychnis, Coreopsis, and Del- 

 phinium King. When these plants are placed side by side 

 there is no hint of harmonious mingling. Each stands too 

 clearly defined. They create the sharpest contrasts possible 

 and to me are not pleasant in association. 



The Japanese are very daring in their use of flower colours 

 but there will always be a mediating tone used with the strong 

 ones. Miss Averill* gives us an example of flaming Maple 

 branches and yellow Chrysanthemums "subdued and brought 

 together by the use of autumn grasses that have turned to 

 soft browns and yellow." Without the harmonizing grasses 

 the association of scarlet and yellow would be garish to a 

 degree. The strongest colours may be grouped together to 

 produce great richness of effect if there be some intermediate 

 tone or tones to draw them into agreement. 



Frequently different tints and shades of the same colour 

 are delightful in association. The picture facing page 202 

 shows an ascending scale of pink beginning with the soft 

 pink of Phlox Selma, deepening in the Roses, and reaching 

 a good deal of depth in the Hollyhocks. Tones of yellow, 

 from cream to orange, are effective when brought together, 

 and a touch of scarlet added to such a group gives great 

 brilliance but entire harmony. 



I have recently heard it advocated as a short cut to 

 harmony that all red and scarlet flowers be banished from 

 the garden. This, I think, would be sad indeed, for much 

 of warmth and strength, of flash and spirit would depart 

 with them, and our garden would be in grave danger of 

 showing a wearisome suavity. But our effort must be to 



*"Japanese Flower Art." 



13 



