184 Principles of Floral Design The gray will appear to be tinged with the complement of the hue. Mixing gray-toned plant material such as limonium can tone down the colors of a design if used in increasingly dominant quantities. Black Black is the color of the deepest part of the night. It is mysterious and quietly intense. Apparel designers often choose to wear black because it shows authority, yet blends with all other colors. Black is the absence of light and may be depressing to some people. It is sometimes considered the color of death and mourning in American culture, but this is a holdover from the Victorian period and not always followed. It is often considered a sophisticated, powerful color. Some plant materials can be dyed black and accessories can be painted. Fresh fl owers that are close to black are usually dark purple or very dark red, Figure 8-18. The importance of color in fl oral design is indisputable. Color helps tell a story, set a theme, or support a mood. Floral designers should always consider the appropriate use of color and continue to experiment with its effects throughout their careers. Form As explained in Chapter 7, Elements of Design, form refers to both the shapes of the individual plants and flowers used in an arrangement as well as the arrangement itself. Closed-form arrangements do not have much open space in or around the composition. Open-form arrangements use open space around the flowers as part of the design. marionhassold/Shutterstock.com Henk Vrieselaar/Shutterstock.com Figure 8-18. Although these “black” callas are actually a deep purple, they are commonly used as black fl owers in bouquets and table arrangements. Most people do not think of the color black when they think of fl owers, but these black tulips would make a striking and beautiful display, especially when paired with a white fl ower. Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.