Whether you’re putting together a bouquet for a special occasion or designing a garden bed, mixing different colored flowers can create a vibrant, eye-catching display. However, there’s one color combination that is notoriously difficult to pull off successfully – mixing red and white flowers together. But why is it so hard to combine these two colors in an arrangement? There are a few key reasons why red and white flowers clash when placed side by side.
Red and White Are High Contrast Colors
The main issue with pairing red and white blooms is that they are extremely high contrast colors. Red is bold, vivid, and eye-catching, while white is bright, soft, and defined. Sitting side-by-side, the red overwhelms the white, and the overall look is jarring and unbalanced. The intensity of the red diminishes the impact of the white.
When two colors have a similar tone or intensity, they tend to blend together more seamlessly. For example, mixing pink and white flowers works beautifully. But the stark difference between bright white and fiery red makes it very difficult for the eye to focus. The scene ends up looking disjointed.
Cultural Color Associations
In many Western cultures, red and white hold symbolic meanings that clash when combined. For example, red is often associated with passion, danger, anger, or excitement. White, on the other hand, represents purity, peace, and innocence. When you mix these two shades together, their contrasting cultural associations make the palette seem off.
Just picture a wedding – white flowers evoke thoughts of the pure bride, while red may unintentionally signify some kind of impure passion. These mixed messages make red and white seem like a bad fit.
The Christmas Connotation
For many people, red and white together bring to mind the classic Christmas color scheme. So using this combination in a floral design can feel theme-y or one-note. If you want your arrangement or garden to have a more nuanced, elegant feel, avoid red and white color blocks.
The bright, festive look of red and white also tends to feel more juvenile. For a mature, sophisticated aesthetic, blending red and white flowers is rarely the right choice.
Tips for Combining Red and White Blooms
Does this mean you should avoid pairing red and white flowers at all costs? Not necessarily. With the right approach, you can combine these vivid shades in subtle ways:
Use White Flowers as Accents
Rather than equal blocks of red and white, use white blooms sparingly as accents within a sea of red. For example, tuck in a few white roses among bold red peonies. The white will pop without taking over.
Create a Gradient
Transition gradually from red to white by layering flowers in order of intensity. Go from dark red roses to blush pink carnations to creamy white orchids. The gradient creates visual interest without stark contrast.
Keep Them Separated
Place red and white flowers in their own beds, bouquets, or areas of the garden. Let each color make a statement on their own, without direct conflict. Nearby color blocks are pleasing without blending.
Repeat Throughout
Scatter tiny punches of red and white blooms consistently throughout for balance. The repetition brings unity without color blocks.
Use Flower Shape
Vary flower shapes between the red and white blooms. For example, pair spikey red gladiolus with soft white peonies. This adds textural contrast.
Why the Color Combo Works in Nature
Interestingly, while red and white flowers often don’t mix well in designed floral displays, you can find examples of naturally occurring red and white blooms growing side by side in nature:
| Calla Lily | Comes in white and red/pink varieties that coexist nicely. |
| Tulips | Red and white colored tulips naturally bloom together in fields. |
| Poppies | Red and white poppy species are found together in landscapes. |
So why does mother nature get away with effortlessly combining these colors? A few reasons:
– In nature, red and white flowers are rarely in equally balanced, concentrated blocks. The distribution is more organic and diffused.
– Natural landscapes have a wider array of colors and textures. So red and white flowers blend in, rather than starkly contrasting.
– Flowers in nature are not uniformly shaped and sized. Varied forms create visual interest.
– Flowers sway organically and are viewed at varied angles and distances. This softens the contrast.
So by artfully borrowing nature’s techniques, a skilled florist can certainly achieve successful pairings of red and white blooms in an arrangement. But it requires a thoughtful, delicate approach to balance the colors harmoniously.
Other Color Combos to Avoid
While red and white may be the most notorious floral mismatch, there are a few other colorful pairings that can prove tricky:
Orange and Pink
Both saturate and pop, creating color competition. Soft pink tones work best with more subdued pumpkin orange shades.
Purple and Yellow
These are complementary colors on the color wheel, which can appear garish and loud together. Muted mauve and pale lemon create a more pleasing combo.
Lime Green and Burgundy
Two very intense shades that overwhelm each other. Deeper forest green and dried-rose burgundy make better partners.
Silver/Gray and Pastel
The muted silver gray dulls and mutes the pretty, soft pastels. Pair silver foliage with bold or bright pastels instead.
So while unusual color combinations can work beautifully when done right, some pairings naturally jar and compete. Thoughtfully balancing intensity, tones, and distribution is key to success!
Conclusion
Red and white flowers present a unique color-mixing challenge. Their starkly contrasting natures make them seem mismatched and disjointed when combined in floral designs. But by borrowing techniques from nature and keeping white blooms as accents, a gradient approach can carefully marry these two vivid shades in subtle, eye-catching ways. Just take care to avoid jarring color blocks in arrangements and gardens for the best results. With a light touch, a pop of white can beautifully enhance red’s bold passion.