DAVID DOMONEY Absolutely slabulous

spectacular autumn colour – that you’ll be spoiled for choice.

PARADISE Striking tropical plants will add an exotic feel

Patios are the perfect place for a potted herb garden.

Most back doors lead on to a patio, so these tasty plants can be picked fresh and taken straight to the kitchen to add flavour to all your dishes.

Chives, basil, sage, thyme and oregano are all great plants for your patio. Give them plenty of sunlight and well-drained soil. Whether they’re in pots, hanging baskets or window boxes, the fragranced foliage will add functionality and form to the space.

some tropical plants. If they are grown in containers they can easily be moved into a sheltered spot during the winter months and enjoyed in prime position during the summer.

Palm trees, such as cordylines, have lovely large tufts of spiky foliage that will enhance any patio.

Try ‘Torbay Red’ – a small evergreen with bronze-red, sword-shaped leaves – to give a real fiery appearance to a sheltered spot in sun or partial shade.

Another favourite tropical plant is Trachycarpus fortunei (Chusan palm) which has huge fan-shaped leaves that will thrive in a well-drained soil. And don’t forget to add some fiery flowers, such as a container full of striking tall canna lilies, to add a bit of exciting colour to the exotic effect.

A stiff brush and some garden detergent will keep moss and lichen at bay and your patio clean.

But if your paving is really heavily weathered, hire or borrow a powerful jet wash to blast away the grime and make it look as good as new.

Of course, you can’t forget the main event. If your patio is still looking a little tired, you can give it a makeover.

Concrete paving used to be the big

HAVEN A green getaway right by the garden gate

thing, then it was natural stone. But now the durability of porcelain has made it a perfect patio contender.

For a warm and welcoming effect, you can even get porcelain paving that resembles decking.

Pavestone’s Crosswood Porcelain has the appearance of natural woodgrain but it is low maintenance, the colour won’t fade and it won’t become a slip hazard. For more inspirational ideas visit pavestone.co.uk.

So what are you waiting for? Give your patio a makeover with potted plants, tropical trees, fascinating foliage and fragranced flowers.

And you’ll be paving the way to a successful beauty spot in your garden all summer long.