A Purple Plant Palette in Asheville, NC


Happy Friday, GPODers!

It’s safe to say that every gardener has a particular penchant for color. Whether it’s a riot of color combinations (flowers and foliage in every hue and shade) or a monochromatic moment (a lush forest of greens from crawlers to canopy), we all have a color palette that we feel at home in.

While pinks and purples might not be everyone’s cup of tea, Ainsley Mumford Jones in Asheville, North Carolina, has executed this color palette perfectly.

As contrasting colors, purple and green are a classic combination. Using these cooler tones, Ainsley has created a sense of calm in this full-sun bed with varied foliage textures backdropping a pop of purple woodland sage (Salvia nemorosa, Zones 4–8).

view of small garden and patio from stone stepsCity gardens aren’t usually the most expansive spaces, but Ainsley manages to draw her visitors in with shady paths and seating areas surrounded by flowers. Here, light purple phlox and bright pink dianthus (perhaps Dianthus gratianopolitanus ‘Firewitch’, Zones 3–9) lead you down stone steps to the cozy garden beyond.

purple geranium growing between small shrubsYet another purple plant that looks great in so many gardens—Rozanne geranium (Geranium ‘Rozanne’, Zones 4–8)—is also paired perfectly with various shades of green foliage.

pink and purple flowers growing along a stone patio wallInvoking the colors of a breathtaking sunset, Ainsley pairs a lighter pink dianthus (perhaps Dianthus ‘Bath’s Pink’, Zones 3–8) and purple catmint (Nepeta spp. and cvs., Zones 3–9) with the swirling orange in the stone tiles that form their small patio. It’s easy to pair up plant colors when browsing the nursery or garden center, but don’t forget to take the surrounding hardscaping into consideration too.

another view of purple geraniums in small garden bedHas Ainsley convinced you to add some pops of purple to your garden? You can see all the amazing things she does with color in her garden (and in her amazing watercolor paintings) by checking out her Instagram: @aamumford

And I would love to see and hear why you feature a particular color in your garden. Drop a comment below, or send photos of your garden color combos to [email protected].

 

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