It is important to decide whether you want pale or brighter colours to predominate in your garden. In either case, it usually works best if the principal colours harmonise, leaving the minor themes to contrast - too much contrast will tend to result in a busy and harsh scheme. If you want to use 'complementary' or contrasting colours together, you will have most success if you choose those of different intensities.

Once you have decided what proportions of hot or cool colours you want in your garden, the choice of colour scheme depends mainly on personal preference, although it is also important to consider the effect your scheme will have on the surroundings. This can be as simple as livening up a grey limestone wall by planting climbers such as Parthenocissus (including Virginia creeper or Boston ivy), with its bright scarlet autumn foliage, or as complex as softening all the 'hard landscape' of the garden with a variety of mixed plantings.

It may be worth considering changing the predominant colours in mid-season. When the pinks and blues of early summer have faded, the emphasis could shift to the many reds, bronzes and yellows of high summer and autumn - perhaps with the mauves and blues of Tradescantias and Asters to act as contrasts to such a brightly coloured scheme.

Restricting the garden to a single colour can help to create a harmonious and attractive scheme, especially in a very small garden, or as components of a large garden. Single colour schemes are easier to work with than multi-coloured ones, but it is important to realise that the most successful versions are not truly 'one colour' at all. A white garden, for example, could also contain grey-blue, green, pale pink, and cream and gold variegated plants.

You will also need to try to keep a balance between evergreen and deciduous planting. Too much deciduous planting will mean there is little to provide interest during the long dormant season, whilst too many evergreens can seem gloomy and repetitive.