I have written about plant combinations before, planning the garden with plants that look good together.

One of the elements of a pleasing flower border design is some repetition, colours, shapes or forms that unify the border and make it look like it does all belong together. The Victorian trend of planting rows of the same annuals to form patterns is not what I mean but the seemingly random pops of one colour shape, form or texture that bring the garden together. Just as choosing accessories for an clothing outfit or cushions in a living room, these unifying agents are patterns of sorts but not formal.

Planning the flower garden so plants of one colour shine together at the same time is a little more difficult as bloom times vary so much. Bloom time is just one element but it is a big one. It is possible to have blooms from April to mid-October and sometimes a bit longer but it takes planning. Having certain colours shine at one time takes more planning.

By looking around at others’ landscaping and use of plants a lot can be learned about what to plant in our own gardens. The last few days I have been in the garden most of the time and enjoying how much yellow there is around at this time in May. I did design one of my borders to feature yellow at this time taking my lead from Caragana lorbergii which features its yellow pea like flowers during May. I combined that with three Spiraea japonica ‘Gold Flame’ and a lemon scented yellow Daylily. That one is a problem! The deer have a taste for lemon scented daylilies and Bobbex tends to obliterate their appeal. I have been meaning to replace them for years and I will get around to it! You know how that goes. I might choose a gold leaved Barberry to replace them or use Cushion Spurge. The infill of Lady’s Mantle comes on later with chartreuse coloured flowers so the spring colour scheme flows on.

If trying to bring a border together or design a new border, these are some of the yellows in addition to Dandelions that feature themselves in May. I mention dandelions because we do try to keep them out of the garden by digging them. It is not because we hate Dandelions but we do not like their spreading habit and if allowed to they would take over everything!!

Much of how a garden is designed is personal choice and although I am writing about unity in colour and pattern, you may favour a more random approach. One of my basic philosophies for gardening is that if it grows here, ‘Go for it!’ but I admit I do try to plan some elements to bring the garden into a ‘together’ look.

So looking at yellow as a feature colour in May, there are lots to choose from, from ground covers to 12″ high perennials, shrubs and ornamental trees. Having a feature colour doesn’t mean other colours are excluded but the pops of yellow in more than one place would bring unity.