Hi GPODers!
Today we’re getting a master class in color from Lakshmi Chellappah in Alberta, Canada. Lakshmi lives pretty far north, with her garden situated in Zone 2 to 3, but she is still able to create bright and bold designs that feature a range of hues and coordinated color palettes during a short growing season. Even when flowers are limited, Lakshmi has compiled an assortment of colorful foliage to keep her garden lively.
Hi, my name is Lakshmi. I live in Alberta, Canada. It’s a Zone 2 to 3 garden.
Despite Lakshmi’s northern locale, she is able to cultivate a ton of color in her gardens. Here, a beautiful mix of pink, purple, yellow, and green create a diverse tapestry of interest. But as we’ll see in the rest of her photos, Lakshmi is also able to create simpler color palettes that are just as exciting.
Even when she is working with mainly one color, like this vignette of green, she uses interesting shapes and forms to create a stylish scene. A beautiful blue iris in the lower corner adds a bold pop of contrast.
Yesterday we saw how pink was a key element in Fran Watson’s spring garden (Spring Garden on Martha’s Vineyard), and today we get to see how Lakshmi uses the color to a similar effect. Pops of pink flowers are focal points in this bed, which also features mounds of fresh foliage.
A close-up of one of those deep-pink plant pairings: alliums towering over columbine. Barely visible in the background are some deep-red—almost black—tulips.
Pink and red make more appearances in Lakshmi’s perfectly edged border beds, mixing with green, yellow, and blue foliage plants.
Another area of the garden is glowing yellow, with foliage ranging from golden to chartreuse and bright Kelly green.
A fabulous contrast to the golden yellow foliage is this alpine clematis with bright pink blooms, potentially the variety ‘Constance’ (Clematis alpina ‘Constance’, Zones 3–9).
It’s evident that Lakshmi’s plantings have created a lush and colorful garden retreat, but her flowing garden pond takes the oasis to the next level. On top of all these beautiful plant combinations worthy of admiring and sweet scents you’ll encounter, her garden captivates with the relaxing sound of gently falling water.
As I mentioned in the intro, colorful foliage does not need to be a consolation prize for areas where flowers aren’t reliable. This border is sprinkled with some fun blooms, but it is the repeating foliage colors that steal the show.
Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful collection of photos from your garden, Lakshmi! The use of color in your designs is utterly impressive, and some of your scenes look more painted than they do planted. I hope we get to see more colorful scenes from your garden in the future.
What are your favorite colors to use in your garden? Do you mix it up with the seasons like Lakshmi does, or do you have a few favorite hues that you try to incorporate year-round? Let us know in the comments, or consider submitting some photos that highlight the color in your garden! Follow the directions below to submit photos via email, or send me a DM on Instagram: @agirlherdogandtheroad.
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