Color theory is a complex study, and I present only a sampling here, to show how it is used in landscape design. For instance, according to color theory, the spectrum is often divided into 4 categories:
- Primary: reds, yellows and blues.
- Secondary: greens, violets (purples) and oranges.
- Tertiary: Mixtures of the primary and secondary categories.
- Neutral: White, grays and silvers.
The spectrum is often represented as a wheel, divided into slices that stand for the various hues (colors). Using color theory, landscapers may refer to this wheel to choose adjacent colors in the spectrum, in order to provide unity; or they may deliberately juxtapose items directly across from each other on the wheel to make a contrast.
A simpler way to achieve unity is to match warm colors to warm colors (red, yellow and orange) and cool to cool (blue, purple and green).
In addition, proper application of color theory can influence the mood felt in a yard. For instance, warm colors tend to excite the viewer, while cool colors are more likely to relax the viewer. This makes a color like red a natural for focal points, and a color like blue a logical choice for meditation gardens.
