Going potty on the patio
It’s the crucial garden feature – so make sure you get the very best out of yours
APAVED outdoor area adjoining a home’, ‘an area of flat blocks or concrete next to a house’ and ‘a space outside a dwelling with a solid floor but no roof’… just three of the definitions for a key garden element I found in dictionaries. Of course, they could only really be alluding to one thing: patios.
Yet these rather prosaic entries don’t do them any justice. As far as I’m concerned, patios are an essential feature that no garden should be without. They are versatile, inviting and comfortable outdoor living spaces that are used frequently during good weather, especially over the summer months.
Ours is the beating heart of the g a r d e n . Equi p p e d wi t h comfy outdoor furniture, e, surrounded with plants and nd decorated with pots, we use se the patio as a place to relax x in peace, dine with the fammily and chat with friends s long into the night at barrbecues or when throwing g an alfresco party.
Alas, not all patios are e such wonderful additions. I’ve seen ones that are c l ut t e r e d, poorl y f urnished and are devoid of plants, with paving covered in algae or moss. The overall effect is so underwhelming that I’d be surprised if anyone would find it a suitable place for kicking back and putting their feet up.
If this sounds like yours, don’t despair. Spend some time tidying up and making a few simple improvements, before fitting it out with some smart furniture, containers and accessories. In just a few hours you will have the perfect summer retreat, which will earn its keep for years to come.
Start by tackling the surface of patios. Dirt and algae look unsightly and will leave paving slippery, so clear by blitzing with a pressure washer. If moss is a problem, try scraping out of cracks with an angled-head wire brush or sprinkle the problem area with a moss killer formulated for hard surfaces.
Nobody can relax if they are overlooked by neighbours. Create some privacy around the patio with care- fully positioned plants, a pergola or by erecting a screen – use woven hurdles, slatted panels or add a retractable side awning. Don’t completely surround the area because it will leave you feeling a little claustrophobic.
Make the patio more welcoming by replacing tatty old tables and chairs with some stylish new furniture. An outdoor sofa set or day bed will get plenty of use on a sunny day but will take up a lot of room. If space is tight, choose a chic bistro set, waterproof beanbags or other items that are in proportion to the size of patio.
A selection of larger plants in attractive containers will add colour, interest and help to soften hard landscaping. Compact trees, topiary pieces and architectural plants will add instant impact, while roses, fuchsias, ceanothus and many other shrubs are available as lollipop-shaped patio standards. Seasonal bedding plants, summer flowering perennials, grasses and edibles can be combined in patio planters, or arranged in hanging baskets for displaying on pergolas and other vertical structures. Succulents, herbs and flowers in small pots make great centrepieces for outdoor tables.
Once the patio is looking good, it’s a shame to retreat indoors once darkness falls.
Make the most of the space with lighting, using recessed LEDs to delineate the area and wall lights to provide ambience. Even a row of candles on a table will create the perfect mood for an outdoor dinner party.
OURS IS GREAT... IT’S THE BEATING HEART OF OUR GARDEN