We’ve all seen gardens that just seem to “work,” haven’t we? And although there are several other design concepts that make gardens successful, one of the most visually strong elements is color. It’s what our eyes are drawn to. Now, most colors can work together if you’re careful of the hues you’re choosing, but there are some combinations that are trickier than others. Here are the combinations to watch out for—I’m not saying you can’t use them, just proceed with caution!

Orange & Pink: This is a screaming combination if ever there was one! This duo can be a little hard on the eyes, and it definitely won’t work in every garden. If you’d like to try it, be sure to choose a strong pink that will stand up to the orange. Those will tropical or cottage gardens will find these colors will work without much effort, but other gardeners should consider adding a perennial like purple cone flower (Echinacea purpurea) that combines both colors in one flower. Instant blending!

Silver & Lime: This combination is even more difficult to pull off, and will almost always require a third color to bring it all together. Think sweet potato vine (Ipomoea batatas ‘Margarita’) and silver ponyfoot (Dichondra argentea)—makes you want to grimace, doesn’t it? Now add some purple petunias or orange zinnias and see the difference it makes.

Pink & Yellow: There is something a little too Easter-basket-like about this combination that makes it one to consider putting crime tape around. But Mother Nature knows a few secrets or two—she created plants like lantana (Lantana camara ‘Pink Caprice’) that incorporate both colors. Pretty tricky, right? Add a plant like this in your garden to create a natural bridge between those two colors.

Colors that Never Go Together: Admittedly, this may be a bit subjective, but there are some colors that just don’t “go” no matter how you try to blend them. Lavender and red, pale pink and lime, bronze and silver, and bronze and yellow are examples of color combinations to simply avoid. If you have to work too hard to make something work, perhaps there’s a reason why!