354 FLOWER ARRANGEMENT

COLOR

Color. The plant material and container constitute the color
problem in flower arrangement. A dominant color is necessary
in any arrangement for emphasis and unity. If three colors are
used one should be first in quantity, one second, and one third.
In addition only one color may be brilliant in intensity.

The 'warm colors may be combined in a flower arrangement, for
they are all harmonious. They include the yellows and all the
colors that contain much yellow, such as yellow-green, chartreuse,
cream, buff, orange, brown, salmon, flame, and yellow-red (scar-
let) . The cool colors may be combined, for they are all harmoni-
ous. They include the blues and all the colors that contain much
blue, such as blue-green, blue-violet, lavender, orchid, cool pink,
magenta, gray, blue-red (crimson, beet-red), and white.

A monochromatic harmony consists of tints and shades in one
color only. An analogous (neighboring, adjacent) scheme con-
sists of neighboring hues on the color wheel. The analogous is
the most satisfactory type of color harmony for flower arrange-
ments in the home. A complementary scheme employs the great-
est contrast possible, the colors that are opposite on the color
wheel. It is therefore most pleasing at a distance in a large room
or in dim light. Split complements consist of one hue and the
two hues adjoining its complementary color, on the color wheel.
Paired complements consist of two or three pairs of complements.
A triad scheme consists of the three colors at the points of an
equilateral triangle placed anywhere on the color circle. A poly-
chromatic scheme employs many colors; for best results they
should all be pale or subdued.

The values (lightness or darkness) of colors are important in
arrangements. Several values of a color are preferable to one.
White, near-white, or pale yellow flowers add sparkle to any dark
or medium arrangement. Usually light-colored flowers look well
at the upper part of an arrangement, whereas dark-colored flowers
look best at the bottom, where they help to make a solid, well-
balanced foundation. Very dark flowers do not usually constitute
an effective focal center. Dark colors are rich and dramatic; light
colors are generally lyrical and uplifting. Pale tints look better
by daylight than by artificial light*