Perk up your garden or patio for a right royal celebration

IT may be a little chilly to indulge in an outdoor party on the Queen’s actual 90th birthday on April 21, but come June – the month of her official birthday – the garden should be ready for a royal knees-up. So, aside from Union Jack bunting and red, white and blue balloons, what else can you do to perk up your patio for a celebratory garden party?

FLOWER POWER

Indulge in some red, white and blue themes – bedding plants are ideal. Blue and white lobelia, pictured above, with red verbena or geraniums provide a patriotic theme. Start indoors now, sowing seeds of summer bedding, or buy plug plants.

POM POM PATIO

If red, white and blue aren’t your bag, indulge in some pink frivolity with these gorgeous pink honeycomb paper party balls to hang. Available from Ella James (£2.50 each, ellajames.co.uk)

HAVE YOUR CAKE

No birthday celebration would be complete without a delicious Victoria sponge or traditional scones served al fresco on a stylish cake stand. A floral glass stand should keep things sweet (£14.99, Dobbies Garden Centres).

IN THE SHADE

Your guests may need some down time in the shade so invest in a stylish parasol. The Shanghai range from Wyevale Garden Centres comes in terracotta, latte or lime (£99.99, wyevalegardencentres.co.uk)

LIGHTEN UP

A quirky Fork and Spade Tea Light Holder Set (£12.99, homebase.co.uk) should raise a smile at the dinner table

GET FRUITY

Impress your guests by growing a glut of strawberries for a June party in handy clip-on towers from Elho, which you can add to as you go. Elho’s Corsica range features this vertical garden, ideal for growing strawberries or trailing flowers, creating a tower effect by stacking them. They come in medium or small and in a choice of coloursvintage blue, mint or lovely blush ( Small vertical garden, £6.99, available from garden centres).