How to Use Red, Blue, and Yellow When Arranging Flowers

Using the color wheel to create gorgeous bouquets

Co-authored by Renée Plevy and Luke Smith, MFA

Last Updated: January 13, 2023

Kinds of Colors

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Color Combinations

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Primary Color Arrangement Ideas

There’s plenty to consider when arranging flowers, and color stands as maybe the most important aspect. But the primary colors—red, blue, and yellow—are sometimes a bit tricky to incorporate into the perfect bouquet. They’re bold, vibrant, and maybe a little too dominating. But that doesn’t mean they can’t make a centerpiece worthy of royalty! With some help from the color wheel, these basic colors can produce complex and striking arrangements. First, we’ll fill you in on some basic color theory and tell you about the types of colors and their combinations. Then, we’ll give some handy primary color arrangement suggestions to get you started. You’ll be a primary-color pro in no time!

Things You Should Know

Use red flowers as the centerpiece of your arrangement, surrounded by flowers of analogous colors like orange or orange-red.
Arrange blue flowers with flowers of other blue hues, or pair them with vivid yellows for bouquets with striking contrasts.
Use yellow flowers to brighten the mood of any bouquet, providing a warm tone to deeper red or orange bouquets.

Section 1 of 3:

Kinds of Colors

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Primary The 3 primary colors are red, yellow, and blue. They’re called “primary” because they can’t be made by mixing any of the other colors together, but any other color can be made by mixing some combination of these 3. People sometimes consider them a bit difficult to work into arrangements, since they’re so dominant and can easily overpower other colors, but a little bit of clever combining according to color theory can make some showstopping bouquets.
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Secondary Secondary colors are formed by mixing some combination of the 3 primary colors. The secondary colors are green, orange, and purple.^{[1]
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Research source} These colors tend to feel a bit more subtle than primary colors, and are handy when designing a striking flower arrangement.
- On a color wheel, the secondary colors sit between the primary colors.
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Tertiary Tertiary colors are the third rung on the color hierarchy, and the most removed from the 3 primary colors. They’re formed by mixing a secondary and a primary color together, which also lends them their 2-part names, like “yellow-orange,” “orange-red,” or “blue-green.”^{[2]
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Research source} We often have more artful names for these combinations, like “citron” for yellow-green.
- Color theory also includes “quaternary” colors, which are colors made by mixing tertiary colors together. The resulting colors are often neutral, gray-toned shades.^{[3]
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  Research source}

Section 2 of 3:

Color Combinations

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Complementary colors Complementary colors are any 2 colors that sit opposite each other on the color wheel. Since the color wheel is generally organized with cool colors on one side and warm colors on the other, combining opposite colors results in a striking, warm-cool combination that provides interesting contrast.
- In addition, “split-complementary” combinations consist of a primary color, and the 2 colors on either side of its opposite color on the color wheel.^{[4]
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  Research source} For example, a split-complementary combination might include blue as a primary color, and then yellow-orange and orange-red as its supporting colors.
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Analogous colors Analogous colors are any 3 colors that sit next to each other on a 12-part color wheel.^{[5]
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Research source} Typically, 1 of the colors dominates the arrangement, while the other 2 support it in smaller quantities.^{[6]
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Research source} For example, you might arrange red, orange, and yellow-orange flowers into an analogous arrangement. Since these colors are all fairly similar, they form a cohesive and pleasing bouquet.
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Monochromatic colors Monochromatic colors are essentially the same base color, but their hues are slightly different, making for colors of varying saturation.^{[7]
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Research source} For example, a monochromatic, purple arrangement would include only purple flowers, but those flowers might be anywhere from dusty, light purple to dark, almost-black purple.
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Triadic colors Triadic color schemes utilize 3 colors that are equal distances from each other on the color wheel.^{[8]
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Research source} For example, green, orange, and purple are triadic colors, as are the 3 primary colors! These schemes tend to provide plenty of variety and interest, while remaining balanced and not overly busy.

Section 3 of 3:

Primary Color Arrangement Ideas

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Use red flowers as the dominant color in an arrangement. Now that you know a little about colors, use color theory in your arrangements! Red is a bold, commanding color that tends to attract immediate attention.^{[9]
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Research source} That’s why it’s best used as the base color in an arrangement, with supporting flowers in complementary or analogous combinations.
- A monochromatic bouquet of red roses is sure to be the centerpiece of any room it's in.
- Alternatively, red looks great when paired with analogous colors. Red lilies bunched with supporting orange-red and orange flowers like begonias, chrysanthemums, or marigolds make for a fiery, vibrant arrangement.
- In addition, include plenty of greenery like broad-leafed plants to provide red’s complementary color, green, to the bouquet.
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Use blue flowers in monochromatic or analogous color arrangements. Blue tones tend to inspire feelings of calm and comfort.^{[10]
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Research source} When blue tones are paired with other blue tones, or other analogous colors like purples or teals, they make for a deep and hypnotic bouquet worth staring at for hours.
- Alternatively, pairing blue flowers with complementary oranges or even yellows can make the yellow flowers really pop. Surround a few big, bold yellow flowers, like sunflowers, with softer, cascading blue flowers, like lilacs.
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Use yellow flowers to lift the overall mood of a bouquet. Yellow colors bring to mind happiness and warmth, and tend to suggest sunny dispositions.^{[11]
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Research source} Yellow flowers like daisies, daffodils, or zinnias add some cheer to warm, analogous arrangements of reds and oranges.
- Alternatively, yellow flowers tend to really pop when paired with complementary purple flowers like lilacs or irises.