Mix and Match Greens in Design

Most greens will mix easily, but you must tread lightly and thoughtfully when mixing greens with competing undertones. In this example, the greens in these hanging baskets are a deep green with a yellow undertone. The wispy green on the walls also has a slight yellow undertone, and both are complemented by tiny yellow flowers and warm sunlight.

In this example, the greens have a blue undertone. In the case of the blue fescue, the blue is quite pronounced. The brown planter also has a hint of blue and grounds the plantings.

If you would like to include a blue-toned mint green and a bright greenish yellow, bridge the two with a neutral green.

In this example, a focus grabbing statement leaf in deep kelly green is the perfect medium between the wall color in the background and green accessories in the foreground.

Also notice how the green and yellow combination is emphasized again in the gladiolus.

A deeper green can be used to ground a lighter green. Notice the deep foliage of the tulips and hyacinths that give depth to the color of the wallpaper.

Green doesn't need to be bright, and green doesn't need to be bold. A deep gray-green can be an absolutely beautiful grounding neutral in a space. With this beautiful color on the wall, a variety of greens can be brought into the space easily.

Here is an example of a mix of a yellow-toned green and a blue-toned green. A line of red cannas breaks up the two tones. The deep purple maroon of the leaves complement the blue-toned green in the background, and the bright orange flowers complement the yellow-toned green in the foreground.

With desert plants, you can go bold and raucous with greens. The design of many succulents and other desert plants is very bold, and blooms are often bright, beautiful reds, oranges and yellows. Follow suit with boldly-colored blue and deep green foliage to create strong contrasts.

In this garden, the blue tones of the grass blend with the blues and grays of the pavers, making the walkway read as one piece with subtle textural variations. The blue undertones are complemented by the white hydrangea blooms, a bridge to the deep green leaves of the hydrangea.