Page 15 - LandscapeSA Issue 110

FEATURE

A boundary
wall that has
been painted
black recedes
into the
distance and
offers depth
even to small
spaces.

best features is its versatility; it is a beautiful stand-alone colour in
the form of deep charcoal, smoldering ash or a wash of silvery grey,
but its strength is helping other colours shine. Neutral colours,
especially grey and green, are part of the framework that holds the Grey hard landscaping elements provide the perfect backdrop to a wide
garden together. variety of landscape styles and finishes
Dramatic black
Edgy and sophisticated, black is having a moment in architecture
and interiors and in the garden, it can work beautifully if well used.
Inky walls help the edges of a garden recede, dark patios can ground
a design and black containers contrast well with light, finely textured
foliage. The dark side can be dramatically striking in a garden, and
dark exteriors and plants are trending, providing contrast to their
beige neighbours.
Tips and benefits to using black in the garden
Dark surfacing: Using black or dark grey as a surface for paths and
patios gives gravitas to a design. An example of black beach pebbles
juxtaposed with lighter hardscape elements draws the eye to the
centre of the space. Go sparingly on dark ground surface treatments
in warm climates however, as they can conduct a considerable
amount of heat.

Moody walls and fences: Often, the idea of painting something black Variations in tones and textures can be used to create interest and should
brings about the fear that the object will feel heavier in a space. be combined by ensuring repetition and a neutral backdrop of supporting
In fact, black structures can do the opposite, receding and fading elements
the lines in a garden. A white fence can be hard on the eye as it
emphasises the confines or boundary of a property; this is not the
case with black fencing, which tends to recede into the background,
helping to seamlessly blend the site’s boundary into the surrounding
landscape.
Darker walls also make brightly coloured flowers more appealing
because the eye is drawn straight to the bold hues. A combination of
lush green foliage and black structures create a crisp contrast. When a
structure like a barn or pergola is painted dark, the variations of green
in the foreground become much more pronounced. Two greens that
might otherwise look the same are separated by their different shades
and colour saturation. Similarly, dark walls make brightly coloured
flowers and outdoor furniture extra appealing because the eyes are
drawn to the brighter colours, making them stand out even more.
Colours will display differently with sun, cloudy skies and shade, so be
sure to test the hues before choosing them. A solid block of colour
adds drama, a point of focus and a fresh feel to a garden. Try black for A dark pool colour is mysterious and appears deeper than it is, becoming the
a really strong, defined backdrop that’s nevertheless easy to live with. focal point of the space

Dark bottomed water features: When you are selecting the plaster
colour of a water feature or swimming pool, you are actually out can increase the sense of space, with the garden and interior
determining the water colour. ponds and water features with dark rooms flowing together. To help this happen, choose a colour
plaster interiors tend to make the water appear a deep blue. They scheme outdoors that marries with the one used inside; this helps
also create a mirror effect, reflecting the sky and surrounding the spaces to merge, creating a co-ordinated and chic feel.
landscape. A dark pool colour is mysterious and appears deeper
than it is, becoming the focal point of the space. Dark-bottomed Whether these neutrals are used on their own or combined to form a
pools tend to look more natural, reflecting less sunlight than light- monochromatic colour scheme in the landscape, the end result will
bottomed pools; they also benefit from solar gain. be the timelessness of the space.

Merging inside and out: Blurring the boundaries between inside and Text and photos supplied by the Cairn Design Group. n

Landscape SA • Issue 110 2022 13