The Scarlet Letter. Scarlett O’Hara. Few colors connote passion and drama quite like the color red. In the landscape, as in literature, this fiery hue cranks up the heat, stimulating energy, confidence and enthusiasm. Whether you wish to make a bold statement or accentuate a focal point, here are five ways to landscape with red. Windsor Companies 1. Command Attention

Like a stop sign, red makes us pause. Take advantage of this bold hue in the landscape to direct the eye where you want it. Here, swaths of red impatiens funnel attention to the front door. Rely on red to emphasize focal points, including urns, planters and fountains. Pacific West Tree Company Use crimson flowers to bring vibrant energy to an otherwise neutral landscape. Because a little red can go a long way, this hot color is ideal in dry climates, where plants are scarcer. Windsor Companies 2. Layer for Effect

Red appears to come forward in the landscape, which helps make a large garden feel more intimate. Wallace Landscape Associates Plant red toward the end of a destination, such as a long walkway, where its brilliant color will entice guests down the path. Wallace Landscape Associates Few colors extend as warm a welcome as red. Tap into its friendly spirit by planting pots of red flowers up your front steps or flanking your front door with them. Raymond Jungles, Inc. 3. Choose Shades of Difference

Red-browns and terra-cotta reds provide a warm, autumnal look. Look to foliage options for this earthy scheme.

Find plants with red foliage in the Houzz plant guides Wallace Landscape Associates Dark reds (and deep purples) are among the first colors to recede in waning light. Limit them if you want to enjoy an evening garden. Liquidscapes Red and yellow are a classic summer garden color combination. Offer a wide range of flowers in these colors then; coincidentally, they look best in bright sunlight.

Find great red flowers | Browse yellow flowers Wallace Landscape Associates 4. Play It Cool

Temper red's bold nature by pairing it with complementary green. Exteriorscapes llc A little red, such as in this Japanese blood grass (Imperata cylindrica 'Red Baron') can go a long way. Team it with serene blues, grays and greens for a refreshing look. Jocelyn H. Chilvers Great plant companions, like airy red yarrow and spiked purple salvia, showcase a winning combination of hot and cool colors. 5. Use Focal-Point Flowers

Sure, you can grab attention with impatiens and geraniums, but other more unexpected specimens abound. One possibility: kangaroo paw (Anigozanthos ‘Red Cross’). Terra Nova® Nurseries, Inc Another lively candidate worth a closer look is Mukdenia 'Crimson Fans'. Somehow this plant blurs the line between flower and foliage. Shades Of Green Landscape Architecture An old favorite from South Africa, Bright Eyes Montbretia (Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora) is a stunning plant that can stand alone as an accent plant or blend in with other hot-colored summer bloomers, like daylilies.