The A Room With a View Garden from a past RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show exemplified the blue and white scheme to perfection, with repetitive planting from the likes of Perovskia and Eryngium leading the eye to a stunning seating area
In garden design, few colour combinations have the same impact as the subtle pairing of blue and white. And it’s the sheer simplicity of this partnership that has made it such a popular choice with designers, who frequently use it to great effect in show gardens at RHS Chelsea and Hampton Court Palace Flower Shows. Better still, it is a look that can be perfectly tailored to suit domestic gardens. In fact this scheme is especially suited to smaller plots, as the subtle shades help borders seemingly melt into the distance, giving the illusion of extra space. This is not the only trick the scheme has up its sleeve, as the cool tones of blue and white are also naturally soothing, and create an ideal haven in which we can let our minds unwind and escape the stresses of the outside world.
Also worth considering is the way in which these colours appear at different times of day. While pale blues and pure whites will create a cool serenity that is ideal for tempering midday sun, it’s likely that during the summer months your garden will be enjoyed mostly in the evening, once we return home from work. Fortunately, this is when blue and white tones really shine, when the sunlight begins to fade these colours come into their own with a luminescent glow at twilight. White plants are especially impressive under moonlight with an ethereal glow that is enchanting. Taking this quality into consideration, if you are only able to commit a small area to this scheme, then a shady corner is the way to go. If in any doubt, visit a woodland in spring with drifts of bluebells and wild garlic and you will be convinced that this colour palette is ideal for lifting even the darkest of spaces.