Monday, March 22, 2010

Red? Really?

There is a saying in interior decorating that every room needs a touch of red. The same may hold true for the garden. A bit of red draws the eye and sets off other colors. Think of how red and purple vibrate. Or red and yellow jump. Just a touch of red. That was most likely what I had in mind when I planted this 'salvia elegans' in the SJC backyard. Somehow it has grown into the dominate color in this bed, overshadowing all the other purples, blues and grays. The other day I was sitting looking over the yard and had to wonder when I put in a "red" bed. It is in front of the window in the dining room and I know I was looking for fall colors to create a lovely autumn scene at Thanksgiving. Somehow I got Christmas instead!

4 comments:

Becca's Dirt said...

I love red in a garden and am going to paint my front door red. Everyroom in my house has red in it.

Unknown said...

I couldn't agree more although I've probably taken it too far with red/scarlet/maroon foliage. What once was there for contrast is now dominating.

Sue Catmint said...

Hi Sheila, this is my first visit to your blog and I love it. Interesting post this one. Until recently I couldn't do red, yellow or orange in the garden. Now I love and do lots of orange and a bit of yellow. Maybe it's to do with getting older and being more open minded? If so - red is ahead!
cheers, catmint

Urban Gardens said...

Love the red, love the whole look, especially when it's just a pop in a sea of green.