As the gardening season approaches, many Canadians are looking to their outdoor spaces for more than just beauty. For one family facing a stressful summer, the question of whether flower colours can genuinely impact mood and ease anxiety is top of mind. Garden expert Helen Chesnat, in her column published on January 19, 2026, provides insight into this colourful connection between horticulture and human emotion.
The Science and Sentiment Behind Colour
While individual reactions to colour are deeply personal, Chesnat confirms that different hues have long-held reputations for evoking specific moods. The key takeaway is that colour can indeed affect how we feel, though our responses will vary. Most people have favourite colours but also crave variety, as few wish to experience the same emotional tone constantly.
Chesnat shares her own preferences, noting a strong attraction to dusky blues, plums, and violets, balanced with cheerful spots of yellow and orange. This blend illustrates a common desire for both calm and energy in a garden space.
Cool Hues for Calm, Warm Tones for Energy
Generally, colours fall into two broad mood categories. On the calming end of the spectrum are blues, violets, and fuchsias, which are known to evoke coolness, peace, and tranquillity. Soft, pale shades of pink also offer a soothing and restful effect. Incorporating white flowers into the mix can add a sense of precision and orderliness to a planting scheme.
Conversely, warm colours like red, orange, and yellow command attention. These vibrant hues are associated with energy, optimism, and a call to action and concentration. They can foster feelings of active encouragement and vitality.
Designing Your Mood-Enhancing Garden
This understanding of colour psychology can directly inform garden design. Chesnat suggests imagining a dedicated bed of cool-toned flowers—think blues, violets, and soft pinks—to create a zone of soothing calm. Placing a comfortable chair nearby would allow one to sit and quietly absorb these healing energies during times of needed repose.
A separate bed bursting with bright reds, yellows, and oranges could serve as a visual pep talk, designed to lift spirits and foster encouragement through its lively display.
For gardeners ready to put this theory into practice, Chesnat offers a starter list of annuals in various mood-affecting colours:
- For Reds, Oranges & Yellows: Marigolds, calendula, and sunflowers.
- For Blues: Salvia, bachelor's button, and blue larkspur.
- For Whites: Alyssum, nicotiana, and snapdragons.
- For Pale Pinks: Cosmos, annual lavatera, and pink larkspur.
- Versatile Choices: Petunias (available in almost every colour) and zonal geraniums (available in most colours).
The advice comes at a pertinent time for the inquiring reader and many others who view their gardens not just as a hobby, but as a potential sanctuary for mental and emotional well-being during challenging times.
