Color is an important element of any garden design

Color is a common design element in the home garden to consider as you plan for the 2017 growing season. Complementary colors such as orange and blue are opposite each other on the color wheel and can create bright, vibrant effects when combined in the garden. Harmonious or analogous colors such as yellow and orange are next to each other on the color wheel and create a visually harmonious effect when used in the garden.

Combinations of hot colors such as reds, yellow and oranges create vivid and exciting displays in the garden. Hot colors tend to leap forward in the landscape.

Cool colors in shades of blue, violet and green can create a soothing and tranquil effect in the garden. Cool colors tend to recede in the garden and can be used to exaggerate the illusion of depth in the garden.

You may want to use some caution and double check different photos as the colors you see in some of the photos will not be accurate.

• To clean crusty clay pots, add one cup each of white vinegar and household bleach to a gallon of warm water and soak the pots. For heavily crusted pots, scrub with a steel wool pad after soaking for 12 hours.

Terra cotta pots are best stored inside so they are protected from getting wet — they will absorb water and can crack with the typical freeze/thaw cycle over the course of winter.

If you must store them outside, it is best to stack them upside down with a cardboard spacer between each pot. The stack should be elevated from the ground and covered with a tarp to keep dry.

• It is important to protect houseplants from cold temperatures when purchasing them in the winter. Most garden centers will wrap plants to protect them from cold temperatures. If they don't, be sure to ask them to wrap the plants for you. Wrapping the plants also protects them from breaking.

Be sure the plants are placed in a stable location on the way home. When transporting plants, the car should be warm, especially if outdoor temperatures are below freezing. Plants should never be transported in a cold trunk or allowed to sit in a cold car for any length of time.

It is best to set the plant on a stable surface and carefully tear or cut the wrapper from the bottom up to unwrap the plant. Do not attempt to pull the wrapper off the plant as you risk breaking stems, flowers and leaves. Plants should stay within their wrappings for no more than 24 hours. Open the top to allow the plants to get air if you cannot remove the entire wrapping right away.

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