Henhouse said: This is how I've arranged beds in the past. I print up pictures and arrange them on the coffee table. I write their height and bloom season, along with the name on each picture, so I have all the information to arrange them. It's easier to find the right color combinations this way for me. After I've got it figured out, I use plastic slide holders to put the arrangement in.. Easy to move/remove, and goes in a binder.
Some examples of "rules" that have worked for me:
-Match color saturation when pairing colors. Deep rich colors, pastels, warm colors, cool colors, all look best and don't get lost when paired.
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-When you have many patterned Iris, use a self that's the same color as part of the pattern, or pick up a couple of the colors..
-opposites attract... Purple and Orange, Blue and Yellow (bonus points for matching the beard..)
-yellow can lift up other colors.. white too..
- In mixed beds, contrast the sizes of foliage and flowers..
-Choose contrasting patterns and shades in tonal beds..
And remember, rules are meant to be broken 
I follow the same guidelines. I like to place solid or mostly solid colors that are complementary in between multi-colored varieties to give the eye a rest. I have photos of mine in binders as well and place them on my pool table to decide where to plant according to color and size.
for the acorn Sherry!
