Horticultural anemia, probably due to English gardening influences, is common in the Tristate. Because many have been led to think the bold use of color is crass, borders of silver and gray with pale washes of pastel perennials prevail.

That may be changing. Tres Fromme, planting and design specialist for Longwood Gardens near Philadelphia, says next season we will see more use of bold color in the landscape.

“Designers are looking at the whole package, not just the plants,” Mr. Fromme says. “Color is becoming more important with the structures and accessories — with boldly painted trellises, houses and furniture. People will look at their gardens in terms of the whole function, as a living space, not just a yard full of pale flowers.”

With this in mind, I think the color red makes a positive contribution to any garden. For example, a border of sages (Salvia horminium), pink and lavender linarias, gray lamb's ears, and a creamy verbascum will make a pleasing mass, but there is nothing to hold the eye.

Take the same border and insert a deep red smokebush (Cotinus coggygria “Royal Purple” or “Velvet Cloak”), mix in some red-leaved sweet William, a Rosa rubrifolia, and the color scheme becomes fascinating.

You can get a dose of color without flowers — foliage offers a longer-lasting option. Use the burgundy leaves of heuchera “Palace Purple,” a planting of Miscanthus sinensis var. purpurascens and some ligularia “Desdemona” with its red stems. Include a few plants of dianthus barbatus with its nearly black blossoms and, perhaps, a holly — such as Ilex crenata “Green Island” in the background.

If you have a woodland border, insert a few plantings of cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis “Bee's Flame” ) with its glossy beet-red leaves and stems with spires of Chinese-red blossoms in the summer.

Keep in mind, clear soft yellows come to life with certain reds. And both copper and purple-reds, along with rich orange-red tones, will punch up the impact of peach or salmon-pinks.

Contact Tim Morehouse by Web site: www.getmoregarden.com; mail: c/o Cincinnati Enquirer. (If writing, enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope.)

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