Red’s never passe
So, the fashion gurus are saying red is the red-hot color for
fall fashion. Red dresses, red shoes, red purses, red undies. Every
five years or so, red hits the fashion runways as a
”
new
”
look and buyers are all a ‘twitter trying to look stylish
without resembling a Christmas tree.
But gardeners know that red is always in style in the flower
garden.
Red’s never passe
So, the fashion gurus are saying red is the red-hot color for fall fashion. Red dresses, red shoes, red purses, red undies. Every five years or so, red hits the fashion runways as a “new” look and buyers are all a ‘twitter trying to look stylish without resembling a Christmas tree.
But gardeners know that red is always in style in the flower garden.
Red is a power color in flower borders and containers. It’s a primary color that socks you in the eye and yells “Look at me!” It’s hard to miss red roses or red tulips or red petunias, or, in fact, red tomatoes. Anything showing the color red in the garden nursery aisles flies out the door with buyers. This is why seasonal red is cultivated in pots and displays year round to catch the buyer’s eye.
The brilliant red of the Mr. Lincoln rose is considered by some the most fragrant and best producer of the red roses. Other rose growers will make a case for their own favorite red because red roses, whether on shrubs or as cut flowers from a florist, are considered the hottest seller of all roses.
Dutch tulip growers say red tulip bulbs are the most desired bulbs and out-sell any other color. Red poinsettias are a mainstay of the holiday season, and red Christmas amaryllis bulbs nudge out those in white or candy striped colors.
Lucky for us, fall is also an interesting time for red in the garden.
Red impatiens, scarlet sage, vermilion petunias and dainty coral bells are just some of the reds that make a statement at local garden centers. Fall-flowering annuals such as zinnias and bedding dahlias produce their reds with style. Sage with such names as “Red Hot Sally” is nearly fail proof.
Coming soon are the red berries in pyracantha, cotoneaster and holly. And then certain deciduous trees such as liquidambar will show off their red-toned leaves before shedding them for the winter months.
One of the curious things for gardeners is how to use red in the landscape most effectively.
Red is a primary color. There are tones such as orange-red, pink and red-violet, but they are all part of the red spectrum. Green is red’s complementary color, meaning it is exact opposite on the color wheel. Whenever red flowers are used, green is the natural background. How does this work? Just picture a mass planting red tulips set in a free form in the midst of the lawn. Smashing!
You can do just about anything with red flowers and come up a winner. Red petunias, for instance, coupled with a border of white flowers or gray foliage is a real eye-catcher. But red goes just as well with shades of yellow and, yes, tones of blue.
And don’t forget the red sweetpeas, which are planted from seed starting now.
In the end, you can use the color red just about anywhere in any flowerbed or container, all alone or with colorful companions. There are design rules, of course. But in the end as long as it pleases you, then it’s the right landscape look.
Plant a Row for the Hungry: With the backyard garden harvest at its peak, Plant a Row for the Hungry gardeners gathered up corn, tomatoes, squash and more to share with Community Pantry. Gardeners donated 640 pounds this past week, bringing the total to 5,342 pounds of garden produce shared with the Pantry so far this year.
“This was a really nice selection of vegetables from the home gardeners. This is really appreciated by the folks who receive our food bags,” says Mary Anne Hughes, Pantry director.
The Pantry distributes nearly 800 brown bags of staples each week to those in the community who need it most.
If you have vegetables or fruit to share, the Pantry is located at 30 Airport Ave., Hollister. For more information, call 831-637-0340.
