'Pink', it immediately conjures up pretty, feminine images, fluffy, soothing and soft. It is a colour that the modern colourist shuns, favouring bolder, stronger colours that bring drama into the garden rather than mere 'prettiness'. This is a shame as pink has much to offer.
Yet pink has positive, happy connotations; we are 'in the pink' or the best of health, we are 'tickled pink' or delighted.
Pink, a Pastel It is interesting that pink is the only pastel to have its own name, pale blues, greens and yellow do not. Pink ranges from soft blush almost white through pastels and deep so called 'rose pinks' to deep magenta with a touch of blue and bright, eye catching shocking pink.
Pink is a combination of white and red. The varying strength of either the white or red in the makeup of the pink makes the colour deeper or more pastel.
Both of these are strong players in any garden colour scheme. Yet pink itself is a passive colour that impacts little of neighbouring colours but picks up and alters depending on whatever is next to it.
The exceptions to this are shocking pink and perhaps the deep magenta pinks, controversial colours that are either loved or hated, but none-the-less difficult to work with. The other pinks are, without exception so easy to use and place that we take them for granted.
Using Pink A pink planting scheme, particularly a pink rose garden, is so predictable that it is easily dismissed, but it is lovely and will always draw a gasp of pleasure and induce a relaxed atmosphere. The frothy masses of pink cherry blossom may not be very original but they are undeniably, breathtakingly beautiful. So much so that this season is a period of celebration in Japan, where cherry blossom viewing is a national obsession.
It's time to rehabilitate pink. To enjoy its soothing, or its dramatic, qualities in the garden. Pink can be used to soften a garden scheme, introducing warmth into a silver and grey garden.
Pink appears darker when placed with white, deeper with green and acquires strength and 'punch' when used with blue, becoming less 'pretty'.
Pink is used in interior decorating to lighten and brighten dark or gloomy rooms, and to create a relaxing atmosphere in, say, a bedroom, or even a dentist's waiting room.
Styles with Pink There are quite different ways of using pink. A Mediterranean scheme of soft grey with sage and muted greens with deep dusky pinks is soft and almost monochrome, unless you introduce the magenta pinks of cistus and the deep pinks of some salvia. The 'English' style uses deep, lush greens and soft pastel pinks in an altogether lighter, more romantic look.
Remember that pink is looks best in a soft light, it shines in light shade and it effective when used where the morning or evening sun will bring out the delicate textures and tints that are flattened in unrelentingly harsh midday light.
Pink is looks best in a soft light
Sissinghurst Castle Garden, Kent, UK
Using pink with deep green creates a contrast, setting off the pink tones. Pale, pastel or sage greens, on the other hand, complement it and there is less 'tension', or contrast, making this a more soothing scheme.
Hot pinks are theatrical are catch the eye. They can be used with other strong colours, or to lift a monochrome scheme with greens or greys. Hot pink with deep blue is dramatic combination. In the south of the USA, hot pink azaleas announce the arrival of spring against a background of verdant greens and new foliage.
Magenta (one of those 'hate it' or 'love it' colours) looks well with deep greens, with dark, true blues and muddy with purple blues. It works wonders in an otherwise insipid scheme, adding more depth, more punch and drawing the eye.
The blue tones in magenta will cause it to fade out in evening light and shade, so play up the drama and use it where it will catch the light. For some spring drama, plant a Cercis, either a Judas tree or redbud, and enjoy a splash of magenta pink amidst all those spring yellows.
Tickled Pink Rehabilitate pink and welcome this most accommodating of colours back into your border. Enjoy the frothy pink of spring blossom, the romance of pink roses or shocking pink late summer gladiola.
