Hello Lisa.

Welcome back to another edition of THE PENCIL CASE! As always, each issue focuses on a theme to encourage a fresh look at garden design and graphics. Since this is the month of love let's get inspired by the color PINK!

How appropriate that one of the first uses of the word was by a 17th century Greek botanist when describing a carnation's ruffled edges. Such a lovely start to the relationship between the color pink and plants. 

THE COLOR PINK.

Hunter Lab eloquently describes pink as the mix between red's passion and white's purity resulting in a shade that symbolizes love, nurture and compassion. This is a beautiful example of how color not only focuses your garden design, but can also fold meaning into it.

An all-pink garden also sets a calming mood. Yes, you can mix pink with purple or blue or red, but there is something lovely about sticking to all shades of the same color to stay focused and make a visual statement. Choosing one color family (like pink!) for your design is called a monochromatic color scheme. It's like choosing a paint swatch and designing a garden with only those colors.

MONOCHROMATIC COLOR SCHEMES.

Monochromatic color schemes are a great way to set a mood, while focusing your design, especially when choosing plants. Choose one color, like pink then...

• Inject variety by using a harmonious mix of pink shades to add interest. Mix light tones with darker ones (for instance, light pinks + dark pinks), include more of the former to balance the heaviness of the darks.
• Include some white flowering plants (if you'd like) to make the main color (like pink!) pop. White (and green) are considered neutral.
• Though we are focusing on color here, remember that color only lasts a short time in the garden, so it's important to consider form and texture too.

PINK-SPIRATION.

One of my favorite online plant databases is at Monrovia Nursery. For fun I did a search of plants that had pink blooms in my zone. Do your own search to find what pink flowering plants grow in your area.

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Pink garden furniture can be so much fun. Check out this sleek chair, this cozy chair set, plus this simple folding chair.

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I love this article on How to Use Pink in Your Flower Garden. It dives into more detail regarding warm and cool pinks.

LET'S DO THIS!

Are you planning a pink garden this spring or perhaps you already have one? Drop me a note or tag me on Instagram @paper.garden.workskhop with a photo.

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Maybe you'd like to know How to Design an Outdoor Room before embellishing it with pink? I had the wonderful opportunity to work with Monrovia Gardens on this article.

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If you know someone that needs design inspiration, please feel free to share this newsletter. Anyone can subscribe right here. I also keep a VAULT of past issues in this secret location.

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Thanks for letting me visit your inbox this week! I look forward to seeing you in just fourteen days (no worries, I'm sure it will fly by).

All my best,

Lisa 🌸

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PAPER GARDEN WORKSHOP