Friday Flowers--Color Combinations

  I planned the Pool Garden (it was the site of an above-ground pool) with a limited color scheme. I wanted it to be soothing and easy to look at through the kitchen windows. Whites predominate, with splashes of yellow and undertones of purple. Planted together here are white bleeding heart (Dicentra spectabilis alba), foam flower (Tiarella cordifolia), and lamium 'White Nancy'. I'm sure I got the idea from a picture in a gardening book. I find monochromatic color schemes easy to plan and soothing to the eyes, but over time it becomes a little boring. I still do look out the kitchen windows and sigh with contentment, though.

I added the vigorous groundcover ajuga to add dark foliage and flowers amid all the whites and greens. It really is more purple than the picture portrays. So far I haven't regretted it, especially since the solomon's seal is able to grow up through it.

Peachy-orange, purple and white combine for a more exciting combination in the Front Garden. Here the tiarella and ajuga are planted with one of my favorite coral bells, Heuchera 'Caramel'. I would be an obsessed collector of coral bells but for one thing--money. As it is, I have 4 kinds: Caramel, Georgia Peach, the ubiquitous Palace Purple, and one from the house's original owner. Do you have a favorite? I know they are a little over-exposed at present, but I still love them.

Make sure to stop by this week's Inspire Me Monday at Create With Joy and check out some great creative and encouraging posts!