25
Dark Colors in Garden Design: A Guide for Beginners
Introduction
Garden design is all about creating a beautiful and harmonious space using different colors, textures, and plants. While most gardens are bright and colorful, there’s also a place for dark colors. Used correctly, dark colors can add contrast, visual interest, and drama to your garden.
Why Use Dark Colors in the Garden?
Dark colors can be used to:
- Highlight lighter-colored plants or garden features
- Create contrast and visual interest
- Add drama to an outdoor space
Tips for Using Dark Colors in the Garden
- Avoid putting dark plants in shady spots. They’ll blend in and be difficult to see. Choose full sun locations instead.
- Use larger dark plants, like shrubs, as a backdrop for lighter, brighter plants. This will help to create a sense of depth and dimension.
- Choose plants with purple foliage for dark contrast in a mixed bed. Purple is a great color for adding drama and interest to a garden.
- Variegated foliage looks more striking next to dark plants. The light and dark colors will contrast and complement each other beautifully.
- Use dark plants to make white flowers pop. White flowers look especially stunning against a dark background.
- Don’t limit dark colors to plants. You can also use dark walls, fences, pergolas, and even exterior paint colors to create a dark and dramatic focal point in your garden.
Dark Plants for the Garden
Here are some dark-colored plants that are perfect for adding drama and interest to your garden:
- Flowers:
- Tulip – ‘Queen of Night’
- Hollyhock – ‘Nigra’
- Hellebore – ‘Onyx Odyssey’
- Viola – ‘Molly Sanderson’
- Rose – ‘Black Baccara’
- Dahlia – ‘Arabian Night’
- Petunia – ‘Black Velvet’
- Calla Lily – ‘Black Forest’
- Foliage:
- Ninebark – ‘Diabolo’
- Weigela – ‘Wine and Roses’
- Black Mondo Grass
- Colocasia – ‘Black Magic’
- Coleus – ‘Black Prince’
- Coral Bells – Obsidian
- Amaranthus (several varieties)
- Ornamental Pepper – ‘Black Pearl’
- Ornamental Millet – ‘Purple Majesty’
- Bugleweed – ‘Black Scallop’
Conclusion
Dark colors can be a beautiful and dramatic addition to any garden. By following these tips, you can use dark colors to create a unique and eye-catching outdoor space.
