Consider color when planning for this growing season

Consider color when planning the 2016 growing season for your home garden. Complimentary colors, such as orange and blue are opposite each other on the color wheel and can create a bright, vibrant effect when combined in the garden. Harmonious or analogous colors, such as yellow and orange, which are next to each other on the color wheel, create visual harmony.

Combinations of hot colors, such as reds, yellow and oranges, make vivid and exciting displays. Cool colors in shades of blue, violet and green promote soothing and tranquil visuals. Hot colors leap forward in the landscape while cool colors recede and exaggerate the illusion of depth.

• Recycle Christmas tree branches (cut into 2- to 3-foot sections), swags, wreaths, and other evergreen material as mulch for garden perennial beds. It is best to avoid using flocked trees. Be sure to remove tinsel and other decorations before putting the evergreen branches outside.

Lightweight, open evergreen branches permit moisture to reach the soil while insulating the roots and crowns of plants from the freeze-thaw-freeze cycle of Midwest winters.

• Flowering azaleas will bloom for many weeks in a bright window when provided with even moisture and quick removal of spent blossoms. The plant can be taken outside to a partially shaded spot in the garden once all danger of frost has passed in May.

At that time, begin to fertilize twice a month with a 10-10-10 solution. Some gardeners prefer to use a liquid fertilizer for acid-loving plants. Bring the plant back indoors before frost arrives in fall.

• Tim Johnson is director of horticulture at Chicago Botanic Garden, chicagobotanic.org.