Summer up your garden
THE WEATHER may still be up and down, but if intermittent warm sunny days have made you realise your garden needs some serious attention before the summer, now’s the time to spend time sorting it out.
A great garden should be a relaxing space in which to catch some rays, as well as a fab place in which to entertain alfresco.
Right now, the outdoor living room look is big, with designers producing statement pieces of outdoor furniture as well as exterior equivalents for key interior accessories such as rugs and cushions. It takes just a few simple steps to create a garden that looks and feels inviting. Here’s how…
GO LUSH
Green is an uber-relaxing colour, so add as much greenery as possible through trees, climbers trailed across walls or pergolas, and potted plants. You can even do it artificially with the Easi Wall Handmade Vertical Artificial Plant Wall (£349, johnlewis.com).
TAKE A SEAT
When doing alfresco dining, mix styles of table and chairs for a cool eclectic look. Add waterproof rugs and textiles (try westelm.co. uk). A mirror and interesting sculptures look great, too.
LIGHT UP
Create an evocative mood in the evening with lanterns and tealights placed in small glass containers on tables or hung from trees. String lights (battery-powered if you don’t have a power point nearby) through branches.
SORT SOME SHADE
If you don’t have a tree to do it for you, add shade with a stylish parasol (check out notonthehighstreet.com) or a shade sail (primrose.co.uk).
ADD SCENT
Easy to grow annuals include traditional, highly-scented varieties of sweet peas and tobacco plants (Nicotiana alata, ‘Fragrant Cloud’) for scent as the sun goes down. Scented stock, in pots, is another good option.
THINK EDIBLE
No garden is complete without some veggies. Plant them in pots, in a little veggie patch or mix them with flowers. Definitely opt for cherry tomatoes and salad leaves – cucumbers and radishes are also easy.
COOK UP A STORM
The barbecue has become a summer garden staple. Gas-fired ones are best for low maintenance but charcoal gives you that smoky flavour.