The colour palette of gardens should start with the fixed elements
Colour combinations are an important factor in garden designs, but the palette used is often discussed only in terms of the planting. However, it is at least as important to consider the colours of the hard landscaping features. Boundary walls, paths, sheds and other outbuildings, as well as the house to which a garden belongs, all have their own colours which affect the overall scheme.
Firstly, to what extent can the colour of these elements be modified? Some finishes are designed not to be painted. For example, some surfaces applied to houses are designed to create a layer that allows moisture out but not in. The colour of these is chosen at the time of application and they should not then be overpainted as this would affect the permeability characteristics of the coating. If there are existing elements like this where the colour cannot easily be changed, their colour will have to be factored into any landscape design.
Barring these exceptions, most materials — even stone and concrete — can be re-coloured if the right type of paint is used. Changing the colour of large features like boundary fences can have a dramatic impact on the overall look of a garden. Fence panels ‘off the shelf’ normally come in mid-range tones of brown, but there is no reason why they have to stay this colour. Black is a popular colour because it shows up any greenery in front of it, while a warm Provence blue is another option that helps to liven up a garden.
Note that new, pressure-treated panels contain chemicals that need to thoroughly dry out, so they should be allowed to weather for a month or two before they are painted. Moisture meters will give precise confirmation that they have sufficiently dried out, but a reasonable guide to readiness for painting can be had from testing whether water droplets remain on the surface or are quickly absorbed — if the latter, the panels should be fine to paint.
Concrete in its original grey colour is seldom an attractive material, but it is perfectly possible — with the right preparation — to change its colour using paint designed for the purpose. This not only makes the surface more attractive but will often reduce the maintenance required, because the paint forms a skin that acts as a barrier to algae and other contaminants and so prevents discolouration.
Where gardens include a deck, the large surface area involved can have a big impact on the overall scheme. Existing wooden decks can be repainted a different colour if required but, if a scheme is to include decking for the first time, a modern alternative to wood — without the problems of splitting and warping — can be chosen in the colour best suited to the plan. A pale grey, replicating the colour of driftwood, works particularly well in seaside environments or beside swimming pools, while various brown wood tones can be selected to best match the house and garden. Some ranges even included a charred-look option reminiscent of Japanese Shou Sugi Ban, which has seen a surge in popularity in recent years.
Only once the colours of hard landscaping features have been determined should the colour of plants be considered. While plants are the stars of the show, they need the right frame and canvas to best display them.
