It's funny how our expectations can change as the seasons progress. My tastes are very simple in spring: After a New England winter dominated by white, gray and brown, I treat any green I find outdoors as if it were gold! Right now, I'm practically worshiping the green hyacinth blades pushing up through the soil just outside my back door.

As the freshness of spring wears off, however, we'll begin to expect more and more from our yards. Green will need some help from other vibrant colors to keep us happy. If you want to get creative, you'd be surprised by how much you can transform a yard through the subtle use of color. Armed with a few tips from color theory, you can use color to influence mood and perception.

For instance, would you like to make your garden look bigger? This video reveals a simple landscape design trick that combines plant colors to create the perception of a larger garden space.

View video: How to Make a Garden Look Bigger