If you’re lucky enough to have a patio, balcony, terrace, porch or any other outdoor space, chances are you’ll want to make the most of it. And fortunately there exists a myriad of tips: which patio floors to pick, how to choose the best outdoor furniture, the best colour schemes for exterior living spaces, etc.
Yes, there exists so many ideas, you may very well be overwhelmed by them all and not want to do anything for fear of committing a design blunder. Fear not, for here at homify we’re always ready with some stylish tips up our sleeves, like these pretty patio landscaping ideas that combine practical patio tips with great garden ideas!
And best of all, if you don’t have the budget to phone up a professional landscape architect, you don’t have to – some of these ideas are real easy, regardless of your DIY skills.
A patio or deck not flaunting any plants or flowers can look rather harsh. Foliage softens the uncompromising lines of modern patios, breathing some freshness into your outdoor space and inviting you for a relaxing sit-down.
And the easiest way to do this is by using potters. As they are portable, you can easily plant fresh flowers/plants during the summer, then simply move them indoors as soon as the temperature starts dropping.
But you can grow almost anything in a pot. The idea of using potted plants can even prevent the costly project of removing an old patio and constructing a new one, as those potted plants are quite efficient at hiding eyesores.
Big plants can cause big problems. And as trees are the biggest class of landscape plants, it is definitely one thing you need to get right for your patio landscaping.
• Is shade is what you seek, choose a tree that will be of intermediate height when mature.
• Don’t plant trees with aggressive root systems.
• Choose trees that are relatively easy to clean and keep tidy (Japanese Maple trees are ideal in this regard, plus they are of intermediate height when fully grown).
Be sure to speak to an expert at your local nursery about plants that can be grown around septic tanks – some are better at it than others.
Nobody can blame you for wanting some privacy in your own back yard, and that’s also where decent planning comes in with patio landscaping.
Putting up a fence is one way of achieving this, but you can also go with the softer option: plants. High shrubs trimmed to perfection will definitely soften the edges of your patio and garden, plus it ensures extra freshness and greenness for your outdoor space.
Of course a fence can also be softened with the right paint colour and/or climbing plants.
When considering all our different choices for patio landscaping, sometimes it's easy to become fixated on the two-dimensional. But did you know that your outdoor space can become so much more interesting by simply including verticality?
This can be added in various ways. The option with the greatest impact (and highest functionality) is building a pergola. Simply put a shade canopy over your pergola and you've transformed it into a perfectly practical outdoor room.
Of course a lot of people are very interested in growing flowering vines on their pergolas, just as they'd do on the smaller structures known as garden arbours
. And arbours can make for fun DIY projects if you’ve got some spare time, the right tools and a lot of creativity to spare!
There’s no reason why you should accept the harsh lines of your patio’s edges. That’s what plant landscaping is for!
Among the smaller plants, perennials such as Lily of the Valley are the most popular choice for providing a softening touch. And since perennials are available in a multitude of colours, you can either stick to similar hues for a consistent look, or go wild with a colourful bunch neatly framing your patio edges.
Some of the toughest perennials in the UK include:
• Coronation Gold
• Wolf's Bane
• Herbstfreude (Ice Plant)
• Ruby Giant
• Goldsturm
• Bleeding Heart.
But of course we are not suggesting that you stay away from annuals. These plants may be short-lived, but they provide a striking touch of instant colour. Even though many gardening snobs may look down on annuals, at the end of the day it is your patio and your space – which means you have the final say about which plants go where.
Some of the best-loved annuals in the UK include:
• Pot Marigold
• Godetia
• Baby's Breath
• Bells Of Ireland
• Poached Egg Plant.
Those craving some H2O in their gardens don’t have to splurge on a full-blown pool. Perfectly adaptable to smaller spaces are water features like fountains, bird baths, etc. You can't swim in them, but the gurgling sound made by their waters is just so tranquil.
Not sure which look you want to go for in your garden? Check these 7 different garden designs to help you find yours.