Readers Respond: Color Combinations for Flowers

It's often said that there's no accounting for tastes, and for proof one need look no further than people's perennial beds -- specifically, the color combinations for flowers that they use. Some people pay little heed to such combos at all, mixing hues willy-nilly. But among those conscious of color combinations, some group their flowers in such a way as to enjoy a contrast in colors (for example, purple and yellow), while others prefer to combine like colors (an example would be blue and purple).

What about you? When you plant flowers, which color combinations do you use?

Anything Goes With Green

As much as I love looking at color combos in pictures, I always end up with a variety! What I choose depends on where it's going, and -- since we moved to zone 7B -- what will be drought and heat tolerant!

—rcordes

Grouping Colors

I like my garden on the yellow, the red-blue-orange, and the white side. I would like those colors.

—Guest ritasha

Combinations in Sunny Areas, Shady Areas

Dark purples, dark reds and yellow/gold in one grouping and multiple colors in another sunny area. I just love all colors. Green hostas around the house foundation and tall zebra grass as a back border. It adds dimension to the garden. Shade areas need bright multi colors like purples, gold, orange, red and white with green ferns, while coral and light pastels look pretty together.

—Guest Jackie

Bold and Beautiful

I like the bright colors: oranges, yellows and some deep reds go well together.

—Guest Jamie

Color Combinations for Flowers

Depending on which part of your garden you want to plant your flowers, it is important to set a focal point. Flower rockeries are not so common but if you are creative and imaginative, it comes out beautiful. For this try a combination Geraniums, wax plant,marguerite, petunias. In the middle of your flower rockery plant diamond frost tree and let it be a standard one. Happy gardening.

—maureen.mubanga

Matching Flowers With Brick Homes

I hate seeing wonderful, bright clear red geraniums used for landscaping around lovely old rusty brick red homes. Why not choose a flower that looks well with the house color. White geraniums with yellowish zoned leaves would look more in harmony.

—Guest Peggy Case

I Prefer the Cool Floral Colors

I plant monochromatic pinks, true reds, purples and blues together. When I use a yellow it is marigold Lemon Yellow, a cool yellow. When I use a warm color it is usually corals, salmons, or something very special. I found a hybrid, annual salvia at K-Mart with a wonderful light salmon pink color flower; I bought it to plant next to my blue salvia, which happens to be a perennial. I think they will enhance each other. I love bright, vibrant colors.

—Guest Carolyn Immer

Red, & White Combination

Interested in red and white flowers with trailing greenery for window boxes on the north side in partial shade under an overhang.

—Guest Nora Sullivan

My Small Garden

My small garden in my apartment with purple and green plants makes me relax and full of energy.

—Guest mojgan

Color Combinations With Flowers

I like all colors with green, it gives life wonder.

—Guest maha

Purple and Orange Combo

Purple and orange flowers look beautiful together!

—Guest Diabolical

Color Combinations for Flowers

I like red, white and blue. I use red geraniums, white alyssum and blue heliotrope with white bacopa and blue lobelia.

—Guest Kathleen Humphrey

Quiet Garden

My favorites are all shades of purple, burgundy, lavender with pale yellow and salmon. Last year deer ate my salmon geraniums! I prefer a more quiet garden.

—Guest Gary Miller

Colors in My Garden

I like hues of red, entwined with green, brown and amber shades of wood.

—parwatisingari

FLower Color Combinations

I love purple, blue, white and green together. Very peaceful!!!

—Guest beccasgarden