How to Use Color Theory in Landscape Design

If you’re looking to take your landscape design to the next level, incorporating a color scheme opens up a rainbow of possibilities to transform your space. But how can you make sure that you’re making the most of them?

Savvy use of color can do wonders for your landscape. Color can add a unifying element or draw attention to a focal point in your garden. It can make a small garden seem bigger, or a large space feel cozy. Color is one of the most powerful tricks up a gardener’s sleeve, but incorporating it into your own landscape design can seem overwhelming at first. The color wheel is the perfect guide to incorporating color into your landscape using the design principle of color theory. This design graphic maps the relationships between primary colors and secondary colors, showing how they combine and which ones are cool and warm.

Primary colors

The primary colors yellow, blue, and red are the basic elements of the color wheel. Combine these colors to create secondary and tertiary colors.

Secondary colors

Two primary colors are combined to create secondary colors. Purple is made from red and blue, orange from red and yellow, and green from yellow and blue. 

Tertiary colors

Tertiary colors come from combining one primary and one secondary color — such as blue and purple make indigo, yellow and green make chartreuse, or yellow and orange make amber.

Warm and cool colors in the landscape

Cool colors like blue and green encourage a calming feeling, while warm colors like red, orange, and yellow are higher energy. Purple is a versatile color – it can be cool or warm, depending on its surroundings!

In general, warm colors will pop in your landscape, while cool colors will blend into their surroundings and lend a calming feel. There are plenty of ways to use these guiding principles in your landscape.

Benefits of the color wheel

Having an understanding of the color wheel allows you to use it for a variety of purposes in landscape design. Here are some benefits of using the color wheel in your landscape:

• Draw attention to things you want to be noticed, like the front door or a water feature
• Draw attention away from utilities and other unwanted elements
• Attract butterflies and other pollinators
• Complement other plants in the garden
• Unify your landscape with a theme
• Make your space seem larger or cozier
• Balance with home design or other garden beds
• Create excitement or serenity

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