by Bonnie Moss

Created on: January 20, 2009

Gardening offers a visual experience that can open the portals to the emotions, to the psyche and to the senses. It's also inspirational.

A garden is more than an array of colors and scents. Given a chance, a garden offers relaxation,a place to contemplate and a place to heal. It is a bridge between our inner world and the outside world. The sight of a garden on the way out, provides a smooth transition as you greet the outside world.

Coming home after a day's work, a garden gives a calming effect, reminding you to leave the cares and woes of the day outsideas you enter your inner sanctum. Not everyone can enjoy the luxury of a rambling country garden. A container garden can be very appealing.

COLOR

The choice of colors announces the mood of your environment. It reflects the inner person, whether you are vibrant and inspired, traditional and laid back, focused or scatter- brained, quiet, spiritual, calm, passionate or even boring.

Colors can be complementary and in harmony, contrasting or conflicting. Choosing the colors in your garden can at times be a hit-or-miss choice.Don't be discouraged. Plants are forgiving. You can re-arrange the colors to create harmony, provide enough contrast, and when there is conflict, remedy by adding or removing a color. Solid colors give out a dramatic show in a bigger garden. Most hobby/ornamental gardeners opt for a variety of colors.

A dominance of red does not invite one to sit and relax. This color is too strong. A complementary color can soften the fire of a mass of red. White or silver blends well with this vibrant color providing an atractive contrast.

An all white garden is boring, the energy is stale.Some may feel it is calming, clean and fresh. At night, under a luminous light, white can be attractive. It stands out over all colors under soft lights. It lends itself to a meditative mood. To brighten up an array of white, add different shades of green or other bright colors.

Yellow is a cheerful color, mostly associated with Spring and late Summer. A pale yellow color does not blend well with white. This combination stifles the energy with its dullness.

Various shapes and foliage of green gives a garden a feeling of tranquility. Adding pots of colored plants can enhance the beauty of the atmosphere. This is a nourishing color.

For that warm and welcoming feeling, orange is the color. It is a rich and happy color. Added to a background of green, orange gives a warm glow .

Purple is an inviting color. It teases you to rest and

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