In the most recent Simply Gardens newsletter, Coffee On the Patio, I wrote about ways to stay cool in the garden. I want to expound on one of the ideas-planting from the cooler palette of colors. Except for my butterfly garden I keep the color scheme in my yard to blue, green, and white. I use blue and white hydrangeas and agapanthus extensively in my yard along with white caladiums. Melding the two colors against the serenity of the green foliage truly presents a cooler atmosphere. Try adding water to the landscape and the temperature in your yard will drop 15 degrees! Enjoy the photos from my garden and watch the Southern Living video Create a Cool Garden for more ideas using these colors in the garden.

Hydrangeas by the bird bath

Caladiums 'Candidum"

ferns

Hydrangeas

Agapanthus