There isn’t anything better for a gardener then to see the garden in full bloom with masses of colour. It’s what summers are made for. And colour is one of the simplest but most powerful ways to transform a garden. And something we all do.

Colour can turn a plain space into something so different so quickly. It can be elegant, dramatic, calming or full of energy. Colour can do all that through thoughtful planting choices. When it comes to borders, colour is the key to creating a design that looks deliberate and polished. Even if sometimes it looks (and probably was) completely random.

Whether you want soft and gentle, bold and vibrant, or clean and contemporary, working with a cohesive colour palette (which is a long-winded way of saying ‘your favourite colours’) you can make your garden look beautifully put together without needing years of experience.

And the good news is, you don’t need to be a designer to get this right. With carefully chosen plants, or even better, ready-made border collections, you can achieve stunning results with very little effort.

Understanding Colour in the Garden

You don’t have to be an artist, designer, or interior decorator to understand colour. You know what looks pretty. But before picking a theme, it helps to understand a little about how different colours behave in a garden setting. Think of your border as a living canvas. Every plant adds its own brushstroke of colour.

• Warm colours like reds, oranges and yellows bring energy, vibrancy and a sense of closeness. They’re perfect for focal points or areas you want to stand out.
• Cool colours like blues, purples and greens create a calm, relaxing atmosphere and can make a space feel bigger.
• Neutrals like whites, creams and silvers bring balance and can make other colours appear brighter and more defined.

Contrasting colours look amazing, while harmonious colours blend softly for a more romantic effect.

And don’t forget how the light will affect your garden. The same colours can look very different in full sun compared to partial shade. Soft pastels often glow beautifully in dappled light, while bolder shades thrive in bright conditions.

Popular Colour Themes for Planting Borders

There’s no single “right” combination of colours, it all depends on the feeling you want to create. Here are a few classic themes that work in any type of garden, including yours.

Soft Pastels

For a gentle, cottage garden look, pastel tones are timeless. Think soft pinks, purples, blues and creams. The kind of shades that make a garden feel relaxed and welcoming.

This style works particularly well in sunny borders and looks great along pathways, around seating areas, or anywhere you want a soft, traditional feel.

Tip: Repeating a small number of colours throughout your border rather than as many different colours as you can creates a calm, flowing effect.

Bold and Bright Jewel Tones

If you want to make a statement, bold jewel tones are a fantastic choice. Rich reds, oranges, golds and deep purples make such an impressive sight, especially in sunny spots where the colours can really shine.

This approach is perfect for eye-catching front gardens, focal borders, or larger spaces that can handle strong colours without feeling crowded.

Tip: Planting in groups of three or five helps bold colours feel balanced and intentional rather than chaotic. This is the best tip I’ve learned. I used to plant in singles but it’s so much better when you plant in groups.

Classic Green and White

Elegant and timeless, a green and white scheme is a classic. It relies on lush foliage and pale blooms to create a clean, calming effect that works just as well in shaded spaces as in full sun.

This kind of planting is especially effective in smaller gardens where you’re trying to make the most of the minimum space but don’t want it to look overcrowded. In other words, subtlety often looks better than a riot of competing shades.

Tip: Mixing foliage textures, like glossy leaves with soft or silvery ones, adds depth and keeps the scheme interesting.

Pollinator-Friendly Mix

A vibrant, informal mix of colour can be just as effective as a carefully planned border. And it’s brilliant for wildlife. Combining warm and cool colours together creates a lively, dynamic border that attracts bees, butterflies and other pollinators.

This style suits informal, naturalistic gardens or anyone who loves a border full of movement and life but isn’t for everyone. Especially if you’re planting near a seating area.

Tip: Choose simple, open flowers to make life easier for pollinators. And plant in generous drifts to encourage visits.

Seasonal Showstoppers

You don’t have to stick to one theme all year round. Seasonal planting schemes allow your garden to evolve as the months go by, giving you something different to enjoy in spring, summer and autumn.

• Spring: soft pastels and fresh greens.
• Summer: bold, vibrant tones at their peak.
• Autumn: warm, fiery shades and strong late-season structure.

By layering colour in waves through the year, your garden never falls flat.

Tip: A simple evergreen structure underneath your seasonal flowers will give your border a backbone all year round.

How to Plan a Colour-Themed Border

Once you’ve chosen your palette, a little planning goes a long way.

• Pick one or two main colours to anchor the scheme.
• Layer supporting shades to add interest without overcrowding.
• Use foliage as a design element, not just a backdrop. The foliage on some plants looks amazing and adds great texture as well as colour. It’s also essential for contrast and structure.
• Repeat colours or plants along the length of the border to create rhythm and cohesion.
• Think about the different times of the year to ensure your border looks good all year-round not for just one month in summer.

Using Ready-Made Planting Borders to Achieve Your Colour Scheme

If planning feels overwhelming, ready-made planting collections are the perfect shortcut. These bundles are carefully designed to give you a balanced mix of colours, heights, and seasonal interest without the need to research or match plants yourself.

• Colours will harmonise beautifully.
• Plants will thrive together under the same conditions.
• You’ll save time, money and guesswork.

You can use a single collection for an entire border, or mix two complementary collections for a layered effect. This makes it easy to match your personal taste, whether you prefer subtle elegance or bold colour.

Tip: Ready-made bundles are especially useful for new-build gardens or quick makeovers, giving you an instant designer look.

Practical Tips for Making Colours Pop

A few extra touches can make a big difference to how your border looks overall:

• Group plants together rather than dotting them around. This gives a more professional, cohesive look.
• Break up strong colours with neutral-coloured plants to keep the scheme balanced.
• Use background elements like hedges, fencing or walls to enhance your chosen palette.
• Finish the edges neatly with mulch or edging materials to make your colours stand out even more.

Let Colour Transform Your Garden

Colour will completely change how a garden feels. It can appear from romantic and soft to bold and dramatic, structured and calm to vibrant and wild. By picking a clear colour scheme and planning your border around it, you’ll create a garden that looks cohesive, polished, and full of character.

And if you don’t want to spend weeks planning? That’s what ready-made border collections are for. These expertly curated bundles make it easy to bring your colour vision to life with minimal effort and maximum impact.

Explore our range of ready-made border collections and find the perfect colour scheme to transform your garden.

For more tips on aftercare and keeping your garden looking great year-round, check out our blog post on How to Keep Your Planting Borders Looking Great All Year Round.