Yellow

How to Use the Happy Color in the Garden

‘Fifth Dimension’ tropical hibiscus. The red center acts as a target for pollinators. The yellow margins grab their attention. Photo by Laura McKillop.

The entire natural world, including us, reacts to the language of color. And yellow asks us to be cheerful, especially in the landscape.

Yellow

Yellow is the happy color. When we are surrounded by this cheerful, optimistic color our brain releases the “feel good” chemical, Serotonin.  Laughing also releases serotonin. Leatrice Eiseman, in her book, ‘Color: Messages and Meanings’, noted that yellow ribbons have been in use since the 19th century to signify optimism and hope. She says yellow is associated with being friendly, open, outgoing, and joyful. It puts us in a playful, happy mood. 

So if you are feeling out of sorts, perhaps a yellow garden and a funny thought can lift your spirits. As it says in Proverbs 17:22,  “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine.”

Yellow is good medicine.