How to Design a Garden Patio

A garden patio is the ultimate spot to appreciate the complexity and beauty of a planting scheme at close range. Choose screening trees with open canopies, aiming to provide dappled shade and colourful foliage or flowering plants – including evergreens, as well as perennials like bay, rosemary and lavender and ornamental grasses.

Plantings

A garden patio is a space in which plantings are a major component. A few well chosen plants in the right planters can make a dramatic difference to the feel of a patio.

Consider the purpose of your patio plants – do you want shade, color or fragrance? Answering this question will help you decide on the height, size and type of plant.

For a tropical look on a shaded patio try dracaena, palm or ficus trees, while a sunnier spot is perfect for the strappy leaves of bromeliads. English roses are an elegant option, but look for almost thorn-free varieties such as Brother Cadfael (Ausglobe), Kew Gardens (Ausfence) or Lichfield Angel (Ausrelate).

A sunny patio is ideal for flowering plants such as begonia, impatiens and geraniums, which will flower all summer if you deadhead regularly and feed them every two to three weeks with a fertilizer formulated for containers. Ferns are also a great choice for shady patios and many herbs thrive on sunny patios where they can be used in cooking.

Furniture

A garden patio is not complete without furniture that can be used to sit, relax and enjoy the surroundings. Tables and chairs, a barbecue island or outdoor kitchen, benches and Adirondack chairs all add function to the space as well as design flair.

Furniture choice is a matter of personal preference and style but choosing the right type of materials can have an impact on how a patio feels to use. For example, squares and circular shapes are perceived as calming and reliable while jagged lines can evoke feelings of tension or apprehension.

Other ways to enhance the look of a patio include painting walls, adding trellis for climbing plants, using planting pockets fixed to walls for a living wall and lighting options. Whether you opt for a festoon of lights to drape along walls and trellis or a string of soft, warm light bulbs around furniture, these can be a great way to make the most of your patio after dark.

Lighting

Lighting is a crucial aspect of garden patios as it provides a more livable environment at night. It showcases different garden features, helps deter burglars, and creates a more visually appealing atmosphere.

Illuminating your garden patio with a combination of spotlights and floodlights can help to draw attention to specific features, such as trees or fountains. They also offer a more even light distribution than a single source.

Try using the lighting technique of silhouetting to highlight a feature’s shape. You can also try highlighting a planting bed’s complexity and beauty by choosing perennials, shrubs and trees that have dappled shade and rich foliage.

Lastly, consider adding some eco functionality to your garden patio, such as grey water irrigation or a worm compost bin. This could include capturing the rainwater used for irrigation or turning kitchen scraps into nutrient-rich soil for your plants through the worms. This is a great way to make your garden self-sustainable.

Water feature

A water feature can make a dramatic impact on any garden. It draws people in, offering a soothing sound that calms the mind and adds visual interest. Its gentle babble masks urban noise, such as the roar of traffic or the chatter of neighbors. Water features are also a natural way to filter the air by attracting and trapping bacteria, germs, dust, and pollen.

Fountains can range from opulent and dramatic to sleek and simple. They can even be solar-powered, making them more environmentally friendly. They are an excellent choice for homeowners who want to add a touch of luxury to their landscape without the cost and upkeep of a larger water element.

Another option is a waterfall, which is ideal for larger gardens and can create a multi-level landscape with different zones. Waterfalls are especially striking when installed alongside a meandering stream or pathway.

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