Color Echoes: Harmonizing Color in the Garden

Harper ( Perennials ) approaches gardening here in terms of color, and she challenges readers to entrust themselves to ``the spirit of experiment.'' She observes that gardens tend to fall into two general categories: the formally concerned, and the plant-obsessed. ``The challenge lies in achieving unity while still including sufficient different plants, pleasingly combined, to make the garden interesting.'' She revisits color theory (from neutral to primary shades), and outlines the usefulness of ``echoing'' as a horticultural strategy: yellow accents on a purple iris can, for instance, be echoed by the full blaze of a yellow daylily. The writer also explores the uses of foliage in populating a chromatic landscape, varying it, and serving as a ``blender'' or a founder of ``color infrastructure.'' Details taken from Harper's 40 years of experience, and from her garden, help to illustrate her broad points and will serve the uses of many gardeners. Garden Book Club main selection; Organic Gardening Book Club alternate . (July)