6ways to put some pep into the patio
PATIOS are versatile spaces that can be used for everything from relaxing in peace to throwing alfresco parties. Make sure yours is ready for every occasion this summer with these six simple ideas for turning it into an attractive place to eat, relax and entertain.
1 Light it up Add some lighting to ensure there’s no need to head indoors once darkness falls.
Electric or solar-powered lights are ideal for parties, but try to keep it subdued in dining areas.
The natural glow from a row of candles running down a table will create the perfect mood and provide enough light to see what is on your plate. Place the candles inside glass hurricane vases, lanterns or porcelain jars to prevent them blowing out on windy nights.
A large range of lights can be found at Lighting Direct (lighting direct.co.uk).
2 Make some shade Nobody feels comfortable with the sun in their eyes, so make sure patios are equipped with some form of shelter.
A pergola or retractable awning attached to the house will provide a long-term solution, but those looking to add shade in a hurry should consider a shade sail or free-standing parasol. If you go for the latter, those with adjustable poles are a good choice as they allow the head to be tilted at different angles to block out the sun as it moves across the sky.
John Lewis stocks a wide assortment of parasols and bases (john lewis.com).
3 Night scent For the ultimate olfactory experience, introduce some plants with scented flowers that are most potent as darkness descends.
Night-scented stocks include Petunia Tumbelina Priscilla and Lilium Casa Blanca, which are ideal for summer containers, while Phlox paniculata David, Gaura lindheimeri The Bride and evening primrose are perennials that are perfect for planting close to patios.
Train star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) up and around a pergola and its white flowers will fill the evening air with a sweet, vanilla-like fragrance from June until the end of August.
4 Make a splash A water feature will add movement to a static space and attract wildlife, while its sound will gently drown out unwanted noise and set a relaxing mood in summer.
There are lots of different ‘plugin-and-play’, self-contained water features on the market to suit every type of garden, from a contemporary water wall made from corten steel, which forms a stylish rust-like appearance, to a classic bubbling urn. Tabletop water features make an interesting centrepiece for outdoor coffee tables.
Both mains and solar-powered products are available.
For a good range of water features, try Primrose (primrose.co.uk).
5 Stay warm When temperatures dip at night, keep the cold at bay with an electric heater.
They come in many shapes, sizes and designs, from floor-standing models to smaller ones for tables. Most are based on infrared technology that’s fairly energy-efficient.
A range of patio heaters can be found at Wayfair (wayfair.co.uk). 6 Don’t mind the gaps Make the most of any gaps between paving stones by filling them with low-growing plants.
Ground-hugging forms of thyme, Corsican mint (Mentha requienii) and chamomile can withstand light wear-and-tear when walked on and will release a sweet aroma.
Few plants are likely to flourish if set directly into a crack, so improve conditions by prising out bits of loose mortar and filling the void with well-drained compost. And rather than attempting to force large rootballs into small holes, use seedlings or plug plants, or divide a larger plant into several pieces.