With my garden sporting shades of brown and bleached yellow, never has the need for colour been more pressing. So, The Flower Thesaurus has been a timely read.
The use of the colour wheel is nothing new when it comes to planning planting but Liz Potter takes it one stage further than merely choosing complementary colours from the same section of the ‘wheel’ or pairing opposing colours for a more striking result.
In The Flower Thesaurus, we’re encouraged to consider not only flower colour but also the shape, texture and fragrance of planting companions.
As she warns, “If you only focus on colour, there’s a danger you’ll create a one-dimensional experience.”
Whether colour is your planting guideline or not, the intitial stages are the same as with any new garden project. Get to know your garden, the soil type, aspect and size before starting, she advises. Only by knowing the conditions can you plant successfully.
There follows information on planting schemes and how to use the colour wheel, ranging from harmonious combinations to colour accent schemes.
The book then divides into eight colour-themed chapters – with the introduction on appropriately coloured paper – working from red to white.
Each moves through the seasons highlighting ‘hero plants’ that are “reliable and versatile” and suggests planting companions for them along with preferred conditions and eventual size.
The popular Geranium ‘Rozanne’ in the purple chapter is the perfect partner for low-growing Verbena rigida, Rosa ‘Gertrude Jekyll’ and Hakonechloa macra, we’re told.
For a more vibrant display, the suggestion is Geum ‘Totally Tangerine’ with purple Cirsium rivulare ‘Atropurpureum’.
Each chapter ends with a ‘plant matrix’ that suggests options for every section of the colour wheel.
The style is lively and easy to read – white is described as “the colour of swans’ wings, scudding clouds, moonlight and shooting stars” – and the book is well illustrated making it simple to visualise plant combinations.
However, disappointingly many of the plants are described as requiring that elusive mix of “moist but well-drained soil” so I would need further research before planting on my sandy soil. Despite that, it would be a good starting point for ideas.
The Flower Thesaurus by Liz Potter, design by Double Slice Studio, is published by Ebury Press with an RRP of £26. #Ad You can buy it here for £20.25. (If you buy via this link, I receive a small commission. The price you pay is not affected.) Alternatively, you may wish to buy from an independent bookseller here. All prices correct at time of publication of this post.
Top image: Monarda by Jason Ingram © BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine
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You do keep tempting me with books! I have sworn not to buy any more, but must confess that this one does appeal to me. Maybe a birthday present to myself. The ‘moist but free draining soil’ annoys me so much! Who has such a thing? My soil is usually fairly moist (not this year – despite watering it is dry and hard) and it is very stony and stays pretty wet throughout winter, hence plants rotting. It doesn’t seem to be free draining at all. Sandy soil on the other hand is free draining, but I suspect not moist!
I’m glad I’m not the only one who despairs at that description! Even in heavy rain my garden drains well and this year is more akin to the Sahara. Glad I tempted you with the book. 😍