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HIGHLY SOUGHT AFTER

Extra special scented shrub that’s evergreen, compact and perfect for pots Flowering from December to April, ideal for small gardens Contrasting blue-green foliage Strong sweet lemon fragrance

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1 plant £11.99 2 plants

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£12

NOW ONLY

HURRY OFFER MUST END SEPTEMBER 28th

Coronilla glauca ‘Citrina’ Coronilla ‘Citrina’ will light up the garden in winter with an abundance of lemon-yellow pea-like blooms that just keep coming. We’ve had reports of this easy to grow shrub flowering for 9 months or more, making it a hard-working addition to the garden scene. Hardy Coronilla ‘Citrina’ shows off its sweet-scented blooms against unusual blue-green foliage. A versatile shrub for almost any garden situation, performing particularly well in exposed locations and coastal areas. A compact, rounded habit makes this tough little performer ideal for patio containers where you really get to appreciate the scent and pretty petite blooms. Alternatively train it as a wall shrub for a spectacular upright display. Height and spread: 100cm (39”). Delivered as 9cm potted plants in September.

Wooden Barrel Effect Pot Perfect for your Coronilla, this durable pot stands 30cm (12”) tall and 39cm (15”) wide. Embossed with burnished gold bands and a matching, detachable pot saucer, it makes the perfect container for your favourite bedding plants and patio shrubs.

EXTRA SPECIAL BONUS OFFER

Bluebell Creeper Vigorous, evergreen climber with delicate, pendant, bell shaped blooms set against pointed, dark green leaves. Flowers from June to September. Halfhardy shrub. Height: 2m (6’, 6”). Spread: 60cm (24”).

1 Plant NOW £9.99 £11.99

Just £12.99

Maxicrop Plant Treatment ONLY £1

“Arrived carefully packed and in excellent condition”

Give your plants the best possible start in life with a Maxicrop Treatment by our trained staff prior to despatch. For ONLY £1 we will treat your whole order with MAXICROP to give your plants: • Strong, healthy root system - More energy for growth • Greener, healthier leaves – Great nutrient availability • Reduced stress during transit • Better establishment and improved root growth

www.thompson-morgan.com/TM_TS1819 When ordering online please use order code TM_TS1819 to access our special offers

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Please send to: Thompson & Morgan, Dept TM_TS1819, Poplar Lane, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP8 3BU. Product Code Item Description

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TM_TS1819

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74420 T74421P 10023 59295 KA8437 KB0556 KA2524

Price

Coronilla ‘Citrina’ 9cm Pot x 1 Coronilla ‘Citrina’ 9cm Pot x 2 £23.98 Bluebell Creeper, 1 x 7cm potted plant £11.99 Bluebell Creeper, 2 x 7cm potted plants £23.98 Wood Barrel Effect pot and saucer x 1 Wood Barrel Effect pot and saucer x 2 £25.98 Fertiliser Maxicrop Plant Treatment

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✓Access your order information online ✓Receive delivery date updates ✓Receive despatch notifications ✓View order tracking 24/7 Offer subject to availability. We reserve the right to substitute varieties if necessary *Please note that savings are based on the equivalent of multiples of the cheapest pack size. © 2019 Thompson & Morgan. † For full T & C’s, please visit www.thompson-morgan.com. Regretfully we are unable to ship live plants to the following postcode areas: HS, IV41 IV56, KW15 KW17, PA34, PA41 48, PA60 PA78, PA80, PH40-PH44, TR21-TR25, ZE1-ZE3.

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Garden makeovers SEPTEMBER ISSUE 28 AUG - 24 SEPT

IDEAS FOR A STUNNING SUMMER GARDEN

ALLIUM BULBS “OUR GARDEN FEELS LIKE A SECRET HIDEAWAY”

Outdoor living

THE BEST PATIO RUGS FOR EVERY BUDGET

15 FAST WAYS

TO PERK UP POTS

SO EASY...

✽ ✽ ✽ The e ✽

w y o gr

v n roo

A style guide to the

outside

Industr y exper t and founder of Out and Out Original, Daniel Fairburn, brings you this season’s best deals on designer furniture.

Visit www.outandout.com or call 02037 728 752 for more exciting deals and discounts.

Florida - Wicker Garden Set Dine outdoors in style and comfort this summer with this stunning 6-seater, wicker garden set. The Florida is an ideal addition to your outdoor space, combining beautiful looking dining furniture with real comfort and practicality.

The dining chairs are crafted in hand-woven poly-rattan and feature a high back and coordinating cushions, giving superb lumbar support. The set is completed with a generous teak-look dining table which is made from FSC-sourced treated hardwood, designed to withstand outdoor use. Normally £999 the Florida is now available at an incredible £699! To receive your £300 discount please quote code MG28AUGA at checkout.

SAVE £300 Madrid - Rattan Dining Set

SAVE £400

This fabulous outdoor dining set is ideal for entertaining and seats 8 in comfort. The large 2 metre aluminium dining table features a grey polywood table top and, with poly-rattan chairs, this designer set is maintenance free. Perfect for outdoor living and a great way to spend more time in your garden this year. Normally £999 the Madrid is now available at an incredible £599! To receive your £400 discount please quote code MG28AUGB at checkout.

Havana - Patio Dining Set Make the most of your garden this year with the beautiful 8-seater Havana Garden Set. Comprising 8 stackable armchairs and matching 200cm rectangular dining table, the Havana is made almost entirely from aluminium so is lightweight and easy to move – yet incredibly strong. It is also maintenance free. With fabric seat and back rest, the chairs are extremely comfortable. Normally £699, the Havana is now available at an incredible £499. To receive your £200 discount quote MG28AUGC at checkout.

OU & RB GO ES IN T SE G LL FA ER ST !

SAVE £200

To receive your seasonal discount on any of these products quote discount code at checkout at www.outandout.com or call 02037 728 752 before 25.09.2019.

ou Ce td le oo br r l at iv e in g

Simple pleasu in Sept res ember Seeing th e

colours b egin to ch Relishing ange every day o f w arm outside i n the gar sunshine den Buying s pring bu lbs

always love the moment when I return from holiday, walking straight out of the back door, and into the garden. And as I sit there on the patio sofa in the sunshine, I always wonder why I bother going away, when everything that I really want is right here! But in that happy I’m-back-home moment, I’m busy scheming how and where I’m going to squeeze all the fab things I’ve seen on my hols into my garden.

While I was away last month, I fell head-over-heels in love with a big stone pot of Agave americana sitting on a whitewashed wall on the shore of Lake Garda, Italy.

This desert warrior of a plant looked so good, its leaves curling and twisting into strong, sculptural shapes, the serrated edges casting arty shadows onto the wall. And the colour! I took a close-up snap of a particularly gorgeous silvery-sage leaf to match up at B&Q’s colour-mixing machine – it’s the perfect shade for my kitchen walls. Before I’d even turned the hot water back on or loaded the washing machine, I ordered three agaves for the garden (£29.99/3L pot yougarden.com). Not only are they going to look great but I know that, every time I see them, they’ll evoke sunny holiday memories and make me enjoy my garden even more.

COV E R P HOTO : AG E F OTOS TO C K .CO M

Editor Emma Kendell You can find us on www.moderngardensmagazine.co.uk Facebook Modern Gardens Magazine Twitter @Modern_Gardens and you can post us your modern garden pics on Instagram @ModernGardens

Discover the art of the outdoor siesta and find bliss in your garden, p100

evening Enjoy the outdoorsakeintlaonttherens , p92 with these easy-m

Inside this

106

How to create a stunning on-trend outdoor dining room.

140

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80

Gorgeous Hydrangea ‘Limelight’ is ridiculously easy to grow.

Reader garden makeovers

Easy ideas

“Our new garden feels like a boutique hotel hideaway”

Get creative with decorative tiles and add an indoor vibe to your outside space.

18

14

ON THE COVER

Every inch of this courtyard garden has been used to create a serene space.

“We’re fans of straight lines and symmetry” 30

A stylish design has transformed the way this outdoor space is used.

“My upcycled garden is always evolving” 44

This modern space has been created on a tiny budget.

Simple makes & projects 77

Herb candles

These little jars of joy will smell gorgeous on a late summer’s evening.

92

We love to make

Light up your garden with these easy garden lantern projects.

95

Eat out in style

Simple makes to take your al fresco meals to a new level of lovely.

24

Tile style

Going green

ON THE COVER

Create a lush living roof, camouflage a dull structure and boost your eco-credentials.

36

SMALL GARDENS

BIG IDEAS

Selina’s garden style

On-trend styling ideas and garden buys.

38

Watery wow

ON THE COVER

Invest in a sleek modern water feature as a glamorous statement piece.

53

Floral faffery

95

Make this easy cutlery holder.

Floral designer Jane Scott inspires with pretty arrangements in tin cans.

15 ways to perk up pots 54

ON THE COVER

Style up your patio with these fast and easy ideas.

Fill your garden with red-hot daisies 66

ON THE COVER

Add these bright blooms to your garden for a blazing end of summer show.

72

Plant a graceful corner

Find out how to welcome autumn in with wispy grasses and striking dahlia.

We LOVE this!

Regulars 6

Earthy pleasures

What to buy, make and do this month.

12

Blooming lovely

Plants and shrubs to buy now.

43

Fiona’s patch

Bringing a small, town garden back to life.

60

What to do in your garden

How to keep your plot looking good.

74

Ask the designer

How to create multi-functional low maintenance raised beds.

78

I’m in the garden

We take a peek over a reader’s fence.

24

Plant up a stunning living roof.

91

Enjoying your garden with your pets.

114

Elegant & easy Hydrangea ‘Limelight’

116

10 reasons you need this in your garden.

Grow your own herbal tea

Enjoy a cup of a delicious brew with herbs picked from your garden.

112

Create a modern wall

It’s easy to transform an unslightly brick wall with on-trend cladding.

We love outdoor living

You share your garden highlights.

122

Colour-changing blooms

Save money on hydrangeas.

124

Plants for all seasons

A selection of great value blooms.

126

Garden notebook

All you need to know to get started.

Outdoor living Create a dining room

Q&A

Got a question? We’ve got the answer.

80

82

Paws & whiskers

130

106

ON THE COVER

Check out the garden structures that designate a space for al fresco feasts.

Our garden crush

It’s where we’d like to be this month!

88

SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

Best buys 22

10 buys...

To keep your garden neat and tidy.

Add style with outdoor rugs 48

ON THE COVER

Find out how rugs can bring colour and comfort to your outside space.

100

The art of the siesta

It’s time to create the perfect spot for a snooze in your garden.

Grow your own pak choi and enjoy this tasty salad.

118

Grow your own 118

Pak choi

Fresh nutty flavour and flamboyant leaves make this a good garden addition.

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and receive two terracotta hanging pots worth £34.99.

Earthy DREAM

PLANT

GROW

PICK

MAKE

BUY

EARTHY PLEASURES

INSTANT COLOUR

DARLING DAHLIA Glorious dahlias bring colour and personality to the garden. Why not pick ‘n’ mix for a dramatic look? Be it perfect pom-pom types with their tightly-rolled petals, softly spiked cactus or the unique but uniformed decorative varietie, they all flower through to the autumn. Just ensure they’re in a sunny spot, in rich soil and supported by stakes to prevent wilting.

Make your garden glow

POWER-PACKED POPPY SEEDS Inside this pretty tin are poppy seeds encased in a protective ball of clay, compost and chilli to deter slugs and snails. £5.95 annabeljames

BEE GOOD This large metal rust-finish w ll decoration can be hung ll f nce or

WHIMISCIAL WINDCHIMES Hang this pretty chime and you’ll be lulled by its enchanting tinkle. Watering Can with Bells Wind Chime, H58cm, £10 shop.nationaltrust.org.uk

We’re always championing solarpowered lights, but as the sun diminishes, so will their glow. These battery-operated ones will solve your woes, plus they’ll grace your garden with a generous helping of pretty.

Glass Jar Fairy Lights, 20 bulbs, £30 thewhitecompany.com

We LOVE this! ➣ EMBER 2019

MODERN GARDENS 7

@ F LO R E T F LOW E R

INSTAGRAM INSPIRATION PH OTO: V I S I ON S

‘September charm’

FAST GROWER

Fall in love with the gorgeous pink Japanese anemone ‘September Charm’. The slightly cupped flowers, each with six to nine light rosepink petals, open in late summer and autumn.

Its leaves are equally attractive. A herbaceous perennial, it will reach a height of 75cm. £5.99/9cm pot crocus.co.uk

We’re following a small but stylish flower farm this month – @floretflower is awash with stunning snaps of impossibly bold and beautiful blooms, all home-grown and freshly cut from Erin Benzakein’s rather large back garden. The pics alone are a joy, but there are some lovely styling ideas as well.

Log on and indulge in a career-change fantasy…

BOLD BEAN BAG This striped, statement bean bag is ridiculously comfy, given that it’s made from shower-proof, braided weave. It’s easily portable, too, and that bum-shaped nook will be hard to resist! Layla Cocoon Bean Bag, 80 x 45cm, £149 made.com

GARDEN STOOL A sweet, cheap and sturdy stool for achy legs (and tea breaks).

Stackholmen Outdoor Stool, 48 x 35 x 43cm, £20, ikea.com

8 MODERN GARDENS SE

THAT’S CLEVER! The lid on this humble glass jar is segmented, ensuring that delicate wildflowers can be shown off and supported individually. Retro Stem Vase, H9.5 x Dia9.5cm, £7.50 nordichouse.co.uk

EARTHY PLEASURES

PHOTO : F LO R A PR E S S

A LITTLE OF WHAT YOU FANCY

Sugar plum muffins

Afternoon tea is all the sweeter if it is enjoyed outdoors in the sunshine. Even better if you can tuck into some delicous home-made muffins baked with fruit you’ve grown yourself.

YOU WILL NEED (Makes 12 muffins) ✽ 8 large or 10 medium-sized plums, slightly under ripe, stoned and chopped ✽ 125g caster sugar ✽ 225g self raising flour ✽ 100g butter ✽ 1 large egg ✽ 3tbsp Golden Syrup ✽ 1tsp baking powder ✽ 1/2 tsp ground ginger ✽ Muffin cases

3 MODE BIRD HO DESIGNER GAFF This engraved wood Sixties Stem bird house was designed by Orla Kiely. £34.95 annabeljames.co.uk

WHAT TO DO 1 Pre-heat the oven to 180°C. 2 Put the plums and Golden Syrup into a small saucepan and bring to the boil. Simmer until the plums are soft but still holding their shape.

3 Combine the butter and sugar until creamy, then beat in the egg.

4 Sieve the self raising flour, ginger and baking powder into the mixture, along with a pinch of salt, and mix well.

5 Divide the mixture between 12 muffin cases and bake on the middle shelf of the oven for 20 minutes until golden brown.

SAFE HOME The neat Shetland Bird House is a safe place for small birds to nest. It’s made from Spruce, with non-toxic stains creating a monochrome look. £25 garden trading

EK will enware Reactive Glaze ox, £22 made.com ➣ SEPTEMBER 2019

MODERN GARDENS 9

HOUSEPLANTS FRAMED This contemporary poster print

by Mode Prints will brighten up your smallest room with its tropical houseplant theme. Opt for a black or a white frame finish. £29.95 modeprints.com

Quick make!

Herbilicious!

Potted herbs are always cute, but can look a little inadequate if sat on their lonesome. Group six or seven together though, and you have a charming portable herb garden. Arrange in co-ordinating pots on a rustic wooden tray to

pull the look off. It’ll be perfect to sit on a table while you’re entertaining guests for home-made cocktails that you can add snippets of herbs to.

John Lewis has a great range of trays, priced from around £18.

3 HANGING TEALIGHT HOLDERS Add a twinkle of extra light to your outdoor space so you can spend a little longer on that garden seat.

1 Pattee black and white hand painted tealight holder, H13cm £15 elephanthead.co.uk 2 Isla Hanging Tealight Hurricane, H23cm, £25 nordichouse.co.uk 3 Rotera Lantern for Tealight, H21cm, £2.50 ikea com

1

CLEVER SPACE-SAVER This nifty pot is a fab idea for small gardens, and it’ll pimp up a drainpipe nicely. We love the pop of colour but, if you’d prefer a more neutral hue, it’s also available in black and green. Aubergine Drain Pipe Pot Holder, H10.3cm x D30.5 x W19, £2.50 wilko.com 10 M O D E R N G A R D E N S S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 9

2

EARTHY PLEASURES

Why it’s good to go grey The trend for concr interior and exterior looks set to continu (pardon the pun!)

It is one of the most requested paint colo of the moment, so i quick and easy to ge on trend. Buy a pale grey rug and matchi cushions for your outdoor dining area, and treat plant pots a coat of paint in a concrete tone.

Trend alert!

CONCRETE ‘N’ COFFEE Embrace the modern industrial look with a very practical coffee table like this one from Rust Collections.

The concrete-coloured resin top can be paired with your choice of frame colour. It’s easily wipeable, making spills and sticky finger prints a doddle to get rid of. Cuban concrete coffee table £560 www.rustcollections.co.uk

GNOME FUN Add a touch of humour to your garden with this cute Friar Earthenware Gnome, £22 made.com

GO OVAL Let the colours of your plants sing in this concrete grey oval planter from Gisela Graham W20 x H11cm £9 tch.co.uk

BEE HOUSE PLANTER The Beepot Mini is a stunning concrete planter and bee house. £35 greenandblue.co.uk SEPTEMBER 2019

M O D E R N G A R D E N S 11

Blooming lovely IN SEPTEMBER Try our pick of the most beautiful plants you can buy now ‘PINKY WINKY’ £24.99/2 x 3.5L pot

Masses of small, star-like flowers emerge white at first before fading to deep pink and giving the plant a gorgeous two-tone appearance in September. Height and Spread 1.5m. thompson-morgan.com

3 HEAVENLY HYDRANGEAS for late-summer colour

‘SNOWFLAKE’

£24.99/2L pot Arching stems are topped with conical clusters of double white flowers, which take on pink tinges as they age. The leaves have fabulous red and purple tones in autumn.

Height 2m Spread 2.5m. crocus.co.uk

SALVIA ‘AMISTAD’

£14.99/3L pot This hydrangea flowers until October, producing striking, large blooms that are reddish-purple in acid soil or a deep pink in neutral to alkaline soil. Height and Spread 1.5m. ashwoodnurseries.com

Three sizzling-hot blooms

£14.99/2L pot These deep purple flowers have the silkiest, most velvety petals.

With almost black, slender stems that grow up to 90cm tall, this is our pick of must-have late-summer plants. Height 1.5m Spread 60cm. sarahraven.com

Just add unshine

12 M O D E R N G A R D E N S S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 9

0 £10.5 BERGAMOT ‘FIREBALL’

Unusual whorls of scarlet flowers unfurl amid fragrant green foliage on this compact plant. Height 60cm Spread 40cm. burncoose.co.uk

£5.99 HELENIUM ‘WALTRAUT’

These daisy-like flowers with orange-yellow petals and prominent cones are like rays of sunshine. Height 90cm Spread 75cm. crocus.co.uk

£8.99 ECHINACEA ‘HOT PAPAYA’

These shaggy pom-pom-like blooms in deep orange-red are happy in most spots.

Height 80cm Spread 40cm. rhsplants.co.uk

F E ATU R E: LO U IS E CU RL E Y. P H OTOS : S H UT TE RS TO C K , A L AM Y, G AP. P R I CE S CO R R EC T AT T I M E O F PR IN TI N G

ADD INSTANT DRAMA

‘KARDINAL VIOLET’

EARTHY PLEASURES GIVE IT A TRY

COLOUR CLASH

MICHAELMAS DAISY

Does it feel like all the flowers in your garden are past their best now we’re drawing towards the end of summer?

There are plenty of plants that reach their peak right now and will continue to wow well into autumn. Choose ones with clashing colours, and you’ll make these late-season bloomers look all the brighter. Create a vibrant patch packed with late-season bloomers that will glow in the soft September light.

What are the plants? River lily, black-eyed Susan ‘Goldsturm’ and Michaelmas daisy.

Where do they thrive? These plants will be happy in a spot that gets plenty of autumn sunshine in moist but well-drained soil. Dig in two bags of compost when planting to improve drainage and add nutrients to the soil.

When will they flower? All three plants will start to flower in mid to late August and continue to bloom into October.

£12.95/2L pot Clouds of lavender blue flowers up to 8cm across grow on sturdy stems.

Height 90cm Spread 40cm. sarahraven.com

BLACKEYED SUSAN ‘GOLDSTURM’

£9.99/2L pot The dark, cone-like centres of this bloom make its golden-yellow petals look super-bright.

Height 75cm Spread 45cm. crocus.co.uk

RIVER LILY

£11.99/2L pot Its wiry stems and reddish-pink, star-like flowers look lovely planted at the edge of a path where they’ll spill over, softening the edges. Height 45cm Spread 10cm. waitrosegarden.com

SMART IDEAS TO STEAL POSITION A SCREEN to cast pretty shadow patterns onto an area of paving

THE FRETWORK screening encloses the seating area, containing and defining it. Fretwork panels and gate in matt black Arabic Mosaic, medium landscape size 1800mm x 880mm, £275 each, decori.co.uk

MIX FAUX PLANTS with real; no-one will notice and they’re very low-maintenance!

USE FIBREGLASS planters which have a very thin shell and take up less room – try CAPI Lux Cubes, £37.99 primrose.co.uk

EXTREME

F E ATU R E: M EL A N I E W H I TE H O US E. PH OTOS : N ATH AL I E P RI E M . B E FO RE / DU RI N G S H OTS BY G EO RG I A L I N DSAY.

Makeover

SMALL-SIZED FURNITURE can easily be moved and stored away when not in use. Edson cement stool, £99, made.com; Ypperlig coffee table in dark grey/birch, £35, ikea.com

“Our new garden feels like a boutique hotel hideaway” Every inch of this once unloved courtyard belonging to Lin Rytterstig and Dan Watts has been used to create a SERENE AND USEFUL SPACE

14

MODERN GARDENS

SEPTEMBER 2019

READER GARDEN

How we did it...

A BESPOKE FLOATING BENCH means the floor area is kept free, tricking the eye into believing the space is bigger than it actually is.

A RUG EFFECT created by using dramatic 3D tiling bordered with plain tiles, further zones the seating area. Porcelain Encaustic 3D tiles, from £54 per sq m, alhambratiles.co.uk; plain ‘Cement’ Porcelain tiles, £60 per sq m, londonstone.co.uk

THE RESIN-BOUND GRAVEL of the off-street parking links well with the grey porcelain tiles. It costs from around £40 per sq m, depending on the type of aggregate used – this space cost £3,100 using ‘Aspen’ permeable resin-bound gravel, from theresinmill.co.uk

THE COURTYARD was used as a corridor and a home for wheelie bins.

Dirty paving, an unused trampoline and a tatty shed added to the neglected feel.

THE FENCING IS REPLACED and the neighbour’s garden screened off.

The ground is prepared for the resinbound gravel which will form the base of an off-street car parking space.

THE FIRST FRETWORK SCREENS GO IN creating a secure, lockable gate, and a framework for the different zones. Porcelain paving is laid, which will border the inset ‘rug’ effect of the 3D tiles. The first planters are in.

THE LIVING ROOF on top of the bike store is planted up. The plants used echo those in the planters in the courtyard below.

SEPTEMBER 2019

M O D E R N G A R D E N S 15

➣

W

hen Lin Rytterstig, her partner Dan Watts, and their two young daughters moved into their new home in North London in 2013, they loved the rambling, former hotel with its first-floor terrace but they weren't keen on the L-shaped courtyard garden below, or the state it was in. “It was bleak and unloved,” remembers Lin. “There was no greenery, just rickety fencing, old terracotta tiles, weeds, ants, and a spiderinfested shed! The courtyard was also the walk-through to our off-street parking – we'd park our cars and bikes and escape up the steps.”

Both Dan and Lin work in creative industries, and after extending the first-floor terrace and turning the house into an inspired contemporary space, they began saving to renovate the courtyard to match. In November 2017, they saw garden designer Georgia Lindsay's work (georgialindsaygardendesign.com) on Houzz and called her in. “We liked that she specialised

OUR GARDEN PL AN LOCATION Crouch End, London

in city gardens and injected personality, built-in furniture and considered colour schemes into her designs,” says Lin. “Her gardens felt tailored and multi-layered, with a pop of colour to add modernity and originality.”

FORM AND FUNCTION

A nice seating area in the afternoon sun, and somewhere beautiful to view from the first-floor terrace were top of Lin and Dan’s wishlist. But, while it was vital for the new design to look great, function was just as important as form.

The outside area has to house a car and bikes as well as be a space to relax, so making use of every square inch was crucial. Access was required from the first-floor terrace to the courtyard, via the black metal staircase.

New bike storage was a must: “All our bikes and equipment were stolen from our shed, so it was time to up the security,” remembers Lin. Privacy from the ground-floor neighbours, as well as deterring cats and foxes from using the courtyard as a shortcut, were further essential and practical considerations.

“We weren't looking for a dining area as the

courtyard is too far from the kitchen,” adds Lin. The design process was a collaborative one.

“Georgia looked at our interior style, we discussed some magazine cuttings I'd collected and went through her portfolio,” explains Lin. “We told her we liked dark grey fencing, clean lines mixed with lots of greenery and texture, green living walls, berries, art and architecture.

But then we gave her a free hand.”

SMART SOLUTIONS

Georgia's first impressions were of a challenging area with no redeeming features. “I needed to think outside of the box to make this small space work very hard!” she says. And using strong shapes and a monochrome palette to make a big impact in the tiny yard, she came up with an inspired design that reflected Dan and Lin's sense of style.

Partitioning the space into three zones, one end of the L-shape became the parking area, the other end the bike store and the square section in the middle the seating zone. This avoided a corridor effect. Optical illusions were employed to maximise the space: a floating

“The screens cast beautiful shadows and are so practical”

THE LOOK Moorish modern courtyard SITE & SOIL Size back garden 40 sq m, including car parking space; seating and bike store 18 sq m Faces south west Soil clay sub base with loam/compost added to planters OUR BUDGET Paving £2,800 Resin bound gravel (for car parking space) £3,600 Fencing £4,500 Bike store £2,500 Floating bench £900 Screens and gate £2,300 Lighting £850 Plants and soil £900 Irrigation £400 Artificial panels for staircase £900 Demolition and waste removal £700 Planters £1,900 TOTAL £22,250 HOW LONG IT TOOK Demolition 1 week Foundations 1 week Fence panels 2 weeks Paving 1 week Screens 1 week Planting, irrigation and lighting 1 week TOTAL 7 WEEKS

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THE FLAT ROOF of the neatly concealed bike shed is planted up with pretty pink Scabiosa ‘Flutter Rose Pink’, thyme, Carex grass, campanula and periwinkle, and is a haven for insects including bumblebees.

Golden creeping Jenny

o s s t n a l p n e e r g r e ev y l n i a m e s o o h C P I T nd u o r r a e y l l a t a e r g ook your garden will l

READER GARDEN bench to extend the footprint of the garden, a 3D 'rug' effect achieved with floor tiles, and bold lines in the form of fretwork screens to define the different zones.

MOORISH COURTYARD

Work began in March 2018 and, after a few delays, the new courtyard was finished three months later. The new parking space now accommodates the family car and three wheelie bins. Floor here is porous, resin-bound gravel that allows rainwater to drain through the surface. This is screened off from the rest of the garden with Morrocan-style fretwork panels made from thin steel. This design was chosen for its close-knit pattern which allows a little light through, giving a sense of mystery beyond and creating a dramatic effect at night. “The screens cast beautiful shadows and are so practical – they are a fence, a gate and a support for climbers,” says Lin. The use of geometric tiles as a ‘rug’ inlay defines the seating area. “In such a small space it was vital to emphasise the seating area with a dramatic focal point which grounds the space,” says Georgia. Next to such loveliness, the adjacent bike store recedes into the background.

The 3D tiles complement the fretwork screens, transporting you to a Moorish courtyard. The tonal monochrome contrasts are striking – lots of colour in such a small space

might have been overwhelming, but here the overall effect is bold but restful.

To screen the space below the staircase – owned by the ground-floor neighbours and visible through the open treads – Georgia installed faux maidenhair fern. “The effect is transformative. It also creates a green wall linking the kitchen balcony to the garden below, unifying the whole garden.”

Green staircase

ZEN ESCAPE

“As the garden starts to mature and the white clematis ‘Miss Bateman’ weaves itself into the fretwork screens, all the elements will knit together to create a Zen escape from city life,” says Georgia. “In this busy world it’s incredibly valuable to step off the treadmill for a moment and contemplate nature. In the garden, you can instantly take those stolen moments from the urban world, and yet the space works hard practically for each square metre.”

Dan and Lin are bowled over by the finished result. “We have a lovely outdoor room and more reason to nip outside,” says Lin. “Now it feels like home once we come through the gate, and style-wise it ties in with our house. We love the modern art feeling, and the personality and quirkiness added by the inlaid tiling. What was once an eyesore and a burden now feels like a boutique hotel hideaway. Just looking at the garden makes us happy!”

Artificial fern panels are a practical solution for this staircase. Try Tropical Maidenhair £62.95 per sq m, evergreendirect.co.uk

That’s clever!

Large lanterns at the bottom of the stairs keep them safely illuminated at night. The Sinnesro lantern, £15, ikea.com is similar.

To keep them looking good, artificial plants will benefit from a weekly clean with a soft-bristle paintbrush.

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M O D E R N G A R D E N S 17

F E ATU R E: M EL A N I E W H I TE H O US E. PH OTOS : A L AM Y, G A P

TAKE THE INSIDE OUT!

eate r c o t s e l i t r e n i a l fp o r e d r o b a e s U P TI oor d t u o n a e n fi e d a ‘rug’ effect and ace p s t n e m n i a t r e t n e 18 M O D E R N G A R D E N S S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 9

easy ideas

tile style

Get creative with decorative tiles and add an indoor vibe to your outside space

W

ith gardens increasingly used as outdoor rooms, there’s a desire to replicate interior design, outside.

This year, there’s been a massive growth in the range of patterned outdoor tiles available in quirky, modern designs. Use them cleverly, and you can quickly upgrade your garden to gorgeous, as Lin Rytterstig and Dan Watts did in their garden on page 14.

And demand for colourful, patterned tiles suitable for outside use is soaring. “Many of our cement and porcelain tiles are proving very popular in the garden,” says Carolina Garcia of Alhambra Tiles (alhambratiles.co.uk), which imports decorative Spanish tiles. And no wonder – making a statement with the surface under your feet is a sure-fire way to give your

garden the wow factor. Since Victorian times, tiles have been used to define the entrance to a front door, often continuing down the path to the gate. In modern gardens, decorative tiling is more likely to be found in the back garden, zoning an area, defining a space or creating a rug effect on a patio.

“Unifying the inside and outside of your home for a seamless look is a huge trend in 2019, and you can easily create this feeling through some carefully selected and placed tiles,” says Sian O’Neill, head of marketing for Topps Tiles (toppstiles.co.uk). “Geometric tiles look especially good when used to create a garden rug – laying the patterned tiles in a rectangular space and adding plainer tiles around it to highlight. It’s so much more practical than using an actual outdoor rug as there’s no need to worry about it blowing away!”

Patterned tiles are also proving popular on steps – sometimes on the tread, sometimes on the uprights. “If you have a raised patio or deck with steps leading up to it, inject some personality by adding beautiful patterned or coloured tiles to the steps,” says Sian. “It’s only a small project, but it will have a big impact.”

wHat style suits you?

HigHligHt wHat you love

Just a small area of patterned tiling underneath a feature will make it stand out. Here the plinth has been paved with Moroccan tiles to draw attention to a large oil jar planted with ferns.

“When a client comes to us for garden tiles, we start by asking about their style of garden and the look they wish to achieve,” says Alhambra’s Carolina Garcia. “Based on whether it’s modern, Moroccan, cottage or whatever, we make a shortlist of relevant designs. If there’s a colour scheme, or plants already chosen, that helps to define options as well.”

Because decorative tiles have such a big impact on your garden, it’s important to consider all the elements in your space. But don’t be shy! “For a modern result, fresh, bright colours with industrial-inspired garden furniture looks fantastic,” says Topps Tiles’ Sian O’Neill.

“Or for an ultra-contemporary take, use tiles in bold primary colours and pick plants and flowers in complementary tones.” septeMber 2019

M O D E R N G A R D E N S 19

➣

KEEP IT SUBTLE

There’s no need to go all-singing, all-dancing if you don’t want to. By using pattern in neutral shades, you’ll create an elegant space.

Matt Concretia porcelain tiles, 60 x 60cm, in white, grey and black, £45.99 per sq m tilemountain.co.uk

WHICH FINISH?

It’s vital that you use outdoor tiles, and not those designed for interior use, which won’t withstand outdoor conditions like heat, frost and direct sunlight. Patterned outdoor tiles come in various finishes such as porcelain, ceramic and cement encaustic, with the most popular being porcelain. Robust, hardwearing and frost-proof, with a high level of water-resistance, these tiles are ideal for areas that will regularly be exposed to rain.

“We’d always recommend using porcelain tiles over ceramic ones, which aren’t as strong when it comes to outdoor use, and don’t have the durability needed for the changes in weather,” advises Sian. Carolina agrees: “Technological advances mean that 2cm-thick exterior porcelain paving is now available in some gorgeous patterns and colours. These chunky tiles are non-slip and can be placed on the ground without a concrete screed bed.”

DO IT YOURSELF

If you’re reasonably good at DIY challenges, there’s no reason why you can’t lay outdoor tiles in your garden. Planning and preparation are key – and you’ll need a few tools for the job such as a shovel, rubber mallet, string line, spirit level, pointing trowel, and protective gloves, because wet mortar can burn exposed skin.

Laying these tiles isn’t tricky, but there are some particular steps you need to pay attention to.

“Before you start, lay the tiles out on a dry surface and play around with the arrangement,” advises Sian. “That way, you can fine-tune exactly how you want your tiled space to look and feel before you fix anything in place – and ensure you get it spot on!”

Bradstone has a useful guide on how to lay porcelain paving at bradstone.com/advice/ laying-guides/how-to-lay-porcelain-paving 20 M O D E R N G A R D E N S S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 9

Get the grout right

A complementary grout is critical to the finish of a decorative tile area, as it will add to – or detract from – the overall pattern. With a busy design, a toning grout is best. You can experiment more with a less complex-patterned tile: “A grey or black grout offers easymaintenance thanks to its dark shade which can hide a multitude of sins, especially in high traffic areas like a patio,” says Sian, “while lighter colours will brighten up a design scheme.”

However, if you’ve decided on a complex design, are short of time or just no good at DIY, pick a professional to get the project done. To be sure you’re getting a good deal, get a range of quotes. Personal recommendation is best, or try checkatrade.com

STAY SAFE

To be safe underfoot, outdoor tiles need to be slip-resistant, and most tiles have a slipresistance rating. Pendulum Test Values (PTV) involve two different types of testing – one that replicates the soles of footwear and the other relating to wet barefoot contact. Aim for at least a moderate PTV of 25-35, or 36+, which is high.

Alternatively, ‘R’ ratings, derived from the European Ramp testing range from R9 – a small degree of slip resistance – through to R13, the highest. The recommended rating for outdoor spaces under this system is R11+.

CLEVER!

EASY IDEAS LAYER UP THE PATTERNS

Take the tiles as your starting point and add patterns with fabrics and planters. This only works if you stick to the same tones – muted grey and rose gold are perfect. Porcelain MonoGeo Shard tile, 25 x 25cm, £63.04 per sq m toppstiles.co.uk

WELCOME GUESTS

The idea may be Victorian but the tiles and treatment is 100% modern! Match the colour of the front door to the dominant shade of the tiles for maximum effect. Porcelain Quilt tiles, 12 x 12cm, £96 per sq m sacw.co.uk

LAY AN OUTDOOR RUG

Create a head-turning statement floor with a square of patterned tiles surrounded by plain paving, to create an outdoor rug effect. Hanoi Star blue floor tile, 32.7 x 32.7cm, £18.99 per sq m tilemountain.co.uk

How to look after your tiles The level of maintenance and care needed depends on the type of tile, as each material has its own distinct requirements, so do check manufacturer’s instructions before you treat your tiles.

✽ PORCELAIN TILES Remove loose

debris with a soft-bristled broom, then use a pressure washer or hose to wash down the tiles. If the tiles are particularly dirty, use a cleaning solution such as Tile & Stone Cleaner, £10.49 toppstiles.co.uk. When wet, use the broom in a sweeping motion to clean the grout between each tile. Once the tiles

are dry, apply an outdoor or external sealer such as BAL Protective Sealer, £12.99/1ltr, toppstiles.co.uk to the grout lines. Bear in mind this may need at least two coats.

“Repeat these steps at least once a year, to keep your tiles looking newer for longer,” says Sian. ✽ CEMENT TILES Cement encaustic tiles should first be sealed with a product such as Bellatrix, £28.75, then maintained with PH-neutral soap Cerabric, £24.95, both alhambratiles.co.uk Alhambra’s website also contains helpful tips on how to ensure the encaustic tiles drain water.

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M O D E R N G A R D E N S 21

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RACK ’EM UP Make light work of keeping pots neat and tidy with this Portable Plant Caddy made from rust-resistant galvanised steel. 65 x 41 x 31cm. £59.99 waitrosegarden.co.uk

CO M PI L ED BY: AN G E L A K E N N Y

10 buys...

TO KEEP YOUR GARDEN

NEAT & TIDY

22 M O D E R N G A R D E N S S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 9

GO UNDERCOVER The Kingfisher Blue Wooden Storage Shed with Log Store, 180 x 129 x 51cm, is perfect for small gardens. £239 dunelm.com

We LOVE this!

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BEST BUYS

2 GET IN LINE A row of these would look amazing and keep tools in order.

Echinacea Plant Hook, £7.99 waitrosegarden.co.uk

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE BASE! Hide an ugly parasol base with this weather-resistant, acacia wood Julma Cover which doubles up as a table. £109 laredoute.co.uk CLEAR THE DECKS Tidy away garden cushions when they’re not in use.

Aldsworth Outdoor Storage Box, £180 amara.com

5 TWINE IN A TIN You’ll always know where the end is with this enamel tin, complete with 120m of jute twine. £7.99 burgonandball.com

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6

7

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UP THE STAKES Keep unruly plants in check with an Artichoke Stake, 90cm, in antique pewter or brass. £19.99 waitrosegarden.com

CLEAN SLATE This stylish pegboard comes with eight hooks and integral shelf. 30 x 5 x 50cm. £24 greenhousesensation.co.uk

10 CHIC HIDEAWAY Lift up the cushion-topped bench to reveal a secret space for keeping clutter out of sight. White Solid Acacia Outdoor Storage Day Bed with Shelves, 170 x 90 x 51cm. £226.80 maisonsdumonde.com

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OFF THE HOOK You’ll never misplace your snips again! Esschert Design Wicker Flower Pot with Herb Scissors, £8.22 amazon.co.uk

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M O D E R N G A R D E N S 23

Going GREEN Camouflage a dull structure with a LUSH LIVING ROOF and boost your eco-credentials too

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e’ve all got a little spot in our garden that we’d really prefer wasn’t there. The shed where we stash the sofa cushions every winter, for example. The garden shed, the bin or log store... necessary, yes, but beautiful? Often far from it. Add a living roof, though, and these structures will quickly become a favourite part of your garden, a textural tapestry packed with blooms and loved by butterflies. Living roofs are good for the eco-system as they help to store rainwater and reduce flash flooding, and increase insulation, too. They’re simple to install, making for a fun garden project. So, once you realise just how easy it is to add a living roof to your outside space, there’ll be no stopping you – from water butts to bird houses, you can grow one on pretty much anything.

F E AT U R E: J I L L MO RG A N . PH OTOS : G A P, F LO RA- P RE S S, M A R IA N N E MA J E RUS

ASSESS THE ROOF

Adding a living roof to a small area such as garden shed, wood, bin or bike store, is a manageable project that can be completed in a weekend. Plants, soil and the rainwater it holds, will increase the load on a roof considerably – on average between 60-150kg per square metre. So, it’s essential to check that the roof is structurally strong. If you’re in any doubt, add

a pair of chunky timber posts for extra support.

Position them vertically at each corner of the lower edge of the roof and then cement them into the ground.

Consider the angle of the roof, too. A slope of between 2 and 10 degrees is ideal for planting up yourself, angles greater or less than this will require additional adjustments to cope with drainage or slippage issues.

CHOOSE A SIMPLE SET-UP

By far the easiest way to create a living roof is to buy a pre-planted mat. And, at around £21 per square metre, it’s a very affordable option. Plants are grown on a porous yet strong geotextile base for around eight months, before lengths are harvested and delivered as rolls. Sedums, wildflower and grass mats are all available and, if you pre-order and are prepared to wait, some companies allow you to specify your own plant or colour mix. ➣

➣

When to seek help If you’re considering installing a living roof on a larger area such as a garden studio, garage or extension, it’s best to call in a specialist company to accurately assess the structural issues involved, provide the best planting solutions and guarantee the work, too. It’s also vital to seek advice from your local planning department if the roof is shared with or adjoins another property, as adding a living roof could impact on a party wall agreement.

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ADD A LITTLE TOUCH If you have any leftover sections of mat from your living roof project, then dress up a bird box. This sedum ‘Summer Glory’ has large, lush leaves and vivid coral flowers.

Summer Glory

EASY IDEAS

Tufted hairgrass ‘Goldtau’

DISGUISE A BIKE STORE Ditch that dull roofing felt and install a mini eco-system with Wildflower Roof Turf from wildflowerturf.co.uk

y v a e h o o t s i t s o mp o c r a l u g e r r o l i o e d a m e s o p TIP Ga rden s r u p a buy d a e t s n i – f o o r g .uk o .c y l p p for a livin u s m u d e s ike l t s i l a i c e p s a m o blend fr

Chamomile

PRETTY-UP A WATER BUTT Follow the planting process we’ve described to give your water butt a gorgeous new look by planting it up with sedum. Remember to keep the plants well-watered during the first year.

GET STARTED

Early autumn or spring is the best time to plant a green roof, as it gives the roots a chance to adapt to their new location without experiencing extreme weather or temperatures.

First measure the roof and, using pressuretreated timber, construct a 20-30cm deep frame to sit on top of the roof. Use metal ‘L’ shaped brackets to strengthen the corners. If the angle of your roof is over 10 degrees, you may need to add extra timbers inside the frame to create a chequerboard effect. This will create a series of planting pockets to keep soil and plants from slipping off.

All living roofs will need a strong membrane to protect the roof’s structure and the space below from water and roots. Fix a layer of butyl pond liner or EPDM (ethylene propylene diene terpolymer) to the roof surface with mastic sealant. Ensure the liner is away from any sharp fixings that could cause punctures, and tuck the edges up inside the wooden frame. To make sure any excess water can drain away, create a small gap in the frame and membrane. Placing gravel or small pebbles in front of the drainage outlet will prevent soil and plants from blocking the opening.

RETAIN MOISTURE

Next, a moisture blanket is needed to retain water for the plant’s roots, and an old towel or blanket will do the job fine. Cover this with landscaping fabric – a lightweight horticultural 26

MODERN GARDENS

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STYLE UP YOUR SHED Fancy a living roof that’s chic and understated? Opt for a classic chamomile lawn. Reaching just 25cm high, these low growing herbs have feathery, scented leaves and delicate white flowers in summer.

material that’s widely available in DIY stores and garden centres. This will hold the soil but allow moisture to seep through.

Dress the layers with a 5-15cm deep mix of potting compost and lightweight, waterabsorbent materials such as perlite, crushed brick, concrete or clay granules. You can buy different mixes from living roof specialists such as sedumgreenroof.co.uk, tailored to growing

specific plant types. Then simply unroll the planted mat on the top.

Once established, green roofs require very little looking after. Keep the mat well-watered during the first year, remove any unwanted weeds and moss in spring and autumn, and check drainage outlets are clear. And if you want to boost plant growth, sprinkle over some slow-release fertilizer granules in April or May.

EASY IDEAS TOP A BUG HOTEL Give insects and bees bed and breakfast by planting up the roof of a bug hotel with houseleeks and tiny succulents. The tight rosettes of tough-leaved houseleeks look great and give a small-but-perfect pop of colour.

Which plants to choose

Loves the sun ✽ Tough, small leaved succulents such as houseleeks love the sun. Varieties have pink, yellow or white flowers and leaves ranging from green to silver.

Low in height, they spread to create a close-knit carpet. They’re resistant to wet, cold and windy weather.

GROW A HIGH BORDER Use your pergola roof to create extra growing room for eye-catching flowers. A mix of alpines such as blue flowering campanula, alpine aster and tough santolina will add lots of colour, while the evergreen creeping Jenny quickly creates a bright mat of lime green leaves with masses of yellow blooms. Choose a mixture of plants, to include various leaf colours, for plenty of yearround interest.

Bee magnets

✽ Low-growing herbs such as wild marjoram and thyme work well at high levels. Tough and weather resistant, these plants thrive in thin soils and need little water, creating an enchanting haze of summer colour.

Creeping Je Gentle swayers

e b l l i w e s e h t s a s nt a l p r e l l a t n i x i la TIP M o g r e p h g i h a f o p o t n o e l b i s i v e r o m

✽ Soft-leaved plants and wispy grasses such as the Mexican feather grass look fabulous on a living roof, their delicate flower spikes swaying gracefully in a summer breeze.

SEPTEMBER 2019

M O D E R N G A R D E N S 27

➣

EASY IDEAS

MAKE A STATEMENT Raise the status of a pergola and turn it into a real conversation piece by giving it a living roof.

GOOD IDEA

FRESHEN A BIN STORE Tiny, scented herbs such as thyme and chamomile form a fragrant blanket that will disguise any less-than-lovely aromas from your bins.

3

of the best living roof m t

✽ MEADOWMAT

This turf requires next-to-no maintenance and contains 23 species of native wildflowers and grasses. Meadowmat Roof and Garden, from £26.44 per sq m for 2x3m, turfonline.co.uk

✽ ENVIROMAT

A ready-to-roll-out living carpet of sedum, this mat will give a blaze of year-round colour.

Enviromat Sedum Matting, from £47.44 per sq m for 2x3m, turfonline.co.uk

✽ WILDFLOWER TURF TRANSFORM A CORNER You don’t need to turn the whole roof green – just make a small triangular bed in a front corner. Tumbling sedums will smarten the dullest of shed roofs. Ridiculously easy to look after, once a sedum is growing well, simply snap off a stem and push into soil to create a new plant.

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Scatter these specially selected spring bulbs and cover with turf for a roof that will flower from early spring to autumn.

Wildflower Roof Turf, from £11.50 per sq m, plus Rooftop Scatter Mix, from £43/per bag (400 bulbs), wildflowerturf.co.uk

Perfect Moments in the Garden

Juliana Premium The Juliana Premium has become a classic of Juliana’s product range and one of our bestselling models. Such a large number of satisfied greenhouse owners just can’t be wrong.

The Juliana Premium is a greenhouse brimming with potential. Here, tomato & cucumber plants can grow a little taller and the vines can creep a little further.

The sturdy profile structure provides a stable, lovely greenhouse with plenty of space for realising your personal gardening dreams.

Four sturdy wheels allow you to move the City Greenhouse to the sunny spot on your balcony or terrace and take it with you if you move home.

Juliana City Greenhouse

Two removable plant shelves allow you to take herbs straight to the kitchen or dining table.

For a FREE brochure call 01242 662926 or email contact@greenhouses.com Juliana Greenhouse Centre 2.4 Barnwood Point, Gloucester, GL4 3HX

For more information please visit

www.greenhouses.com

SMART IDEAS TO STEAL TRANSFORM A WALL with stain-resistant render USE BRICKS TO create a neat edge between paving and grass

THE SLATTED FENCING makes it easy for climbers to hold on as they grow.

DISGUISE A DULL hedge with a slatted screen – enough light will shine through to keep a conifer hedge healthy

FLOATING BENCHES make the most of the floor space and provide unobtrusive seating.

READER GARDEN

Makeover

“We’re fans of straight lines and symmetry” A STYLISH DESIGN has transformed the way Alison and Bodie Kelay use their outdoor space

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READER GARDEN THE BREAKFAST AREA is a tranquil corner spot carefully positioned to enjoy the morning sun.

Garden zones

KITCHEN THIS STATE-OF-THE-ART outdoor kitchen is on wheels so it can be moved around. The Outback Signature 6 burner stainless steel barbecue is similar, £1,169 outbackbarbecue.co.uk

STAIN-RESISTANT RENDER is used on the walls, so it will shrug off soil, water or algae stains.

SPA AREA

PERGOLA Alison and Bodie Kelay love to us garden year round, and in the ev e their ening

THE SLATTED SCREEN behind the pergola echoes those used at the other end of the garden behind the kitchen and was constructed by the contractor with oak slats and stained with Cuprinol Ultimate Garden Wood Preserver in Country Oak, £15.48/1L cuprinol.co.uk

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M O D E R N G A R D E N S 31

F E ATU R E: M EL A N I E W H I TE H O US E PH OTOS : DA RRE N RUD G E/ DARR E N RU DG E CO UK

THE BUILT-IN SPA, like the kitchen area, has an overhead canopy.

The spa itself has room for four people and there’s a handy changing room next door. The Helsinki has a similar wooden trim, £720, diy.com

➣

OUR GARDEN PL AN LOCATION Pelsall, West Midlands THE LOOK Contemporary and sleek SITE & SOIL Size 255 sq m Faces South Soil Clay loam OUR BUDGET Tree removal and shrub maintenance £980 Site clearance and construction of concrete base for hot tub £2,000 Fencing £2,080 Paving £2,250 Water feature £300 Lighting & installation £1,500 Landscaping £8,000 Planting £3,000 TOTAL £20,110 HOW LONG IT TOOK Preparation of garden 4 weeks New fencing erected, base prepared for hot tub 4 weeks Garden prepared and foundations dug for raised beds 4 weeks Pergola erected 2 weeks Kitchen area canopy constructed, paving and lawn laid, water feature installed, rill and raised beds 3 weeks Planting 3 days TOTAL 17 WEEKS 3 DAYS

HOW WE DID IT...

1

W

hen Alison and Bodie Kelay updated the inside of their detached home in the West Midlands, they wanted the outside to match its contemporary style. “When we bought the house, the garden was mainly laid to vegetable patches and flower borders, with big conifers running along one side and across the bottom of the garden,” remembers Alison. “It was such high maintenance, we removed the confers and laid most of the garden to lawn, which gave us an amazing amount of extra space.” But now, 13 years after they’d moved in, it was time for a complete redesign to give a seamless run between indoors and out.

The couple scrutinised magazines, garden paving brochures and plots at Chelsea Flower Show to get ideas. Then they found Darren Rudge – now a multi award-winning garden designer and broadcaster – on the internet (darrenrudge.co.uk). “He wasn’t famous then as he is now,” says Alison. “I just liked the look of his website, and his experience and credentials were excellent. We sat down with examples of the pictures I’d culled from magazines and brochures and discussed everything we wanted from the garden. We loved his ideas and his plan – he knew exactly what we were about and what we wanted.”

Darren’s first impression of the garden was that there was no real form to it. “It was a typical family garden where things had happened ad hoc,” he recalls. But there were positives: its square shape, secluded position, and that it enjoyed the sun for most of the day meant there was a lot in its favour.

Alison and Bodie’s instructions were to create a contemporary garden they could use all year round and into the night, with garden ‘rooms’ for

meals outside. An outdoor kitchen and spa were also key requirements. “We’re not really party people, but we do like to relax in our garden and enjoy a meal al fresco with family and friends,” says Alison. “Style-wise, straight lines and symmetry have always been our preference – we’re not really into curves, and the interior of our house reflects this, too. It’s clean, bright and contemporary, so the garden needed to be, too.”

BUILDING THE STRUCTURE

The work was done in two separate bursts. First, the surrounding fencing was removed, a large conifer taken down, and the ground cleared and prepared for the hot tub, which was delivered on a snowy day in December. The next stage – the hard landscaping and planting – began two months later, with the Kelays using their own contractor to do the building work, and Darren project-managing it. “We hated the months of mess – we’re a bit obsessive with things being tidy!” says Alison. But the finished result was definitely worth it.

Darren’s design included lots of straight lines, squares and rectangles, and simple, floating benches, which reveal the ground beneath them. “Geometric shapes repeated throughout enhance the feeling of a contemporary design,” Darren explains. “Simple, clean lines support the design style and unify the whole space.”

One big problem to surmount was the conifer hedge that dominated the garden – although it wasn’t at all pretty, it provided valuable screening from neighbours. “The answer was to draw the eye away from it by placing items around and in front of it,” says Darren. The long pergola, with its fixed screens that double up as trellis planted with clematis and honeysuckle, now hide the unsightly hedge.

Together with a corner seating area, they draw

“I’ll often just nip out outside and cook our evening meal” 2 3

E The garden was a fairly conventional family-orientated space, with a patio, flower beds, and a path to a summer house in the far corner,” says Alison.

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TIME FOR CHANGE The couple felt the style of the garden, with its gentle curves, and extensive lawn, was out of kilter with their revamped, sleek and modern home.

CLEARANCE BEGINS The hard landscaping work began in February with the ground being prepared and flattened, ready for the new paving to go in.

READER GARDEN That’s clever!

PLANTS AND SHRUBS including salvia ‘Mainacht’ are repeated throughout the garden for a natural look that’s low maintenance.

A LINE OF TUBS are planted with fragrant lilies to perfume the night air.

LEAFY PLANT including ferns and hostas throw shadows on the white rendered walls.

BRIGHT IDEA...

Low growing plants like Siberian bugloss are perfect in a shady spot under a tree

5 4 THE RILL Once the trench for the water feature had been dug, it was lined with concrete and a waterproof liner. The wall in the corner behind was rendered, ready to be painted.

6 WATERY WALKWAY Breeze blocks to support the ‘floating’ paving slabs were laid along the centre of the rill. The standard ‘blue’ engineering bricks made a neat border.

BARE EARTH Alison says: “The garden looked a bit of a mess for a few months while the contractors carried out the construction work, and the new design took shape.”

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M O D E R N G A R D E N S 33

“The garden looks magical after dark... ” the eye past the hedge, so it fades into the background. The long pergola also creates a walkway across the bottom of the garden with simple bench seating that entices guests to stop, sit and relax.

A GRANITE WATER FEATURE provides a soothing background babble in the redesigned garden.

The Drilled Rock water feature is similar, £499.99, primrose.co.uk

ADDING DESIGN ELEMENTS

The floating walkway gives a sensory pathway of black, reflective water that takes you back to the main conservatory patio area. It was created by laying a concrete-lined trench with paving slabs, coated with waterproof paint, laid at water level to give the illusion they’re floating on the water. The water is darkened with a black dye, to give it depth and make it reflective, and also to stop algae developing.

The hard landscaping of grey slab paving is continuous throughout the garden. “The size of the slabs was just as important as the colour, but it had to be grey,” says Alison. “Our kitchen is white high gloss with charcoal accents and so the same style needed to run outside.” Dark, stained oak was also used through the garden for contrast and definition. “The oak boards add a feeling of softness and quality to a space that is fairly hard-landscaped,” says Darren. It’s used for the floating benches – constructed so they’re just the right height for people to perch on – and to edge the rendered raised beds and provide a link to the planting.

The lighting softens the strong lines once darkness falls, with adjustable LED spike lights uplighting shrubs to create interesting silhouettes and shapes. “The lighting is lovely – it highlights strategic planting and has a magical look at nights, even in the winter,” says Alison.

At the end of the garden, water trickles soothingly from a granite column. “We love the water feature,” says Alison. “From the conservatory, we have a direct view of the birds drinking from it – I love to sit and watch them.”

SPENDING TIME OUTSIDE

The hot tub sits in a previously unused area of the garden. “The spa is for relaxation and easing aching joints,” says Alison. “We’ve had many a happy few hours just chatting away in there, by ourselves and with friends. Time doesn’t matter in the spa – you can lose yourself you’re so relaxed.” The couple make good use of the state-of-the-art outdoor kitchen, too. “Even if we’re not entertaining, I’ll often just nip out there and cook our evening meal,” says Alison.

“We spend far more time outside now and entertain more during the summer. We love to eat out with friends, but we also love to sit on the bench at the bottom of the garden, which gets the morning sunshine. This area was a no-man’s land before, where nothing would grow because of the shade. Now we use every single part of the garden.”

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UPRIGHT LED BOLLARDS light the walkway at night.

Stainless Steel Solar Filament LED Bollard lights are similar, £17.59 each, festive-lights.com

THE PAVING SLABS placed over the rill turn it into a floating walkway.

ish n fi r o r r i m a s e t a cre e y d d e r u o l o C e P y D TI k c a l B a r d y ry H T . s e r u t a e f r e t a in w .uk o .c n o z a m a g 0 0 £35.50/5

Hey there Clint!

A wirework statue adds fun to a garden, and is light enough to be moved around.

This one is called Clint, because of his cowboy hat. Alison worked in a secondary school where a student made the statue as an A level project and Alison couldn’t resist! “He travelled home in the front seat of my car – with his seatbelt on of course,” she says. “I had a few strange glances on the way home that evening!” ✽ Have a look on etsy.com to find affordable wire sculptures, such as a seated human form, £75, from LaFage Arts.

Selina’s garden

STYLE RE-WILDING

Stylist & book author SELINA LAKE shares her on-trend styling ideas & glorious garden buys

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few months ago, I was asked to style the BBC Springwatch Garden at the RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival for award-winning garden designer Jo Thompson (jothompsongarden-design.co.uk). The garden was divided into three neighbouring gardens, created to encourage visitors to re-wild their outdoor spaces and help halt the decline of the UK’s wildlife population. My job was to make each space look stylish, and add props to complement the planting Jo had chosen with bees and other pollinator insects in mind.

I used a mix of old and new gardenalia, bird houses and plenty of decorative details.

Working with Jo Thompson was a career highlight. I picked up lots of tips including letting your lawn go over to clover, and making pretty wildlife corridors instead of hard boundaries – and I’ve already incorporated those two ideas into my own garden. The bees love the clover flowers, and I’ve added wildflowers to soften boundaries, making sure there are gaps for hedgehogs to get through.

The finished garden was really well received by visitors to the show – my instagram feed was full of snaps from the garden. So I thought it would be good to share some ideas for creating a stylish wildlife garden with you, too. If you want to see more about the garden I styled at the Hampton Court Show, watch the next episode of BBC Two’s Autumnwatch, which will be on screened soon.

Selina 36 M O D E R N G A R D E N S S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 9

Moth stop

Place a shallow container filled with water for moths to drink from on a garden table and style it up with a collection of objects.

I’ve used an insect motive jar filled with picked garden flowers with an easy-to-look-after potted succulent.

Trending

now

Hidden art

This quirky oversized Beetle Wall Art (£45, grahamandgreen.co.uk) will add a decorative touch to a garden post, wall or fence. A handy hook means it can be hung anywhere. I placed him on an oak post between wildflowers and catmint in the Springwatch Garden.

Re-wild by choosing furniture to complement the natural environment along with essentials for visiting creatures such as a birdhouse, wildflowers full of nectar, and water baths.

EASY IDEAS

Build a stone wall

Instagram @selinalake

A craggy stone wall is perfect for insects to hide and nest in. Make it into a comfy perch for you too, with a mix of cushions – my favourite cushion-hunting grounds are Delia Rose Illustrates at etsy.com, lornasyson.co.uk, alsohome.com, pillolondon.com and susiewatsondesigns.co.uk

atural log nesting box, £19.95 worm.co.uk

Diy display

I gave this Terra Fir Etagere (£24.99 greenfingers.com) a contemporary feel by staining it black using Ronseal Fence Life in Tudor Black (£7 for 5L, diy. com). Use the shelves to display small potted plants, birdhouses and recycled bottle vases.

A L L S TY L IN G & P HOTO G RA PH Y BY S E L I N A L A KE

Bathtime, birds!

Birds need water to bathe in. Choose a vessel made from steel that will rust over time for a contemporary look, or hunt out a decorative stone version on a pedestal for a more traditional style.

I sourced this one from a local junk shop, and I’ve now re-housed it in my own garden.

✽ NEXT MONTH: DRIED FLOWERS

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M O D E R N G A R D E N S 37

REFLECTIVE BASIN

Smooth and simple in shape and filled to the brim, the reflections in the still surface of a basin are mesmerizing.

Nestle it into its surroundings with low, ground-hugging plants such as creeping thyme in front, and taller, wiry plants such as salvias and lavender behind. Try 60cm Water Pool, from £174.95, theworm.co.uk

e, t i h w s a h c u s s e ton TIP Pla nt cool o t e r u t a e f e h t d oun r a e u l b d n a r e v l si l. e e f l i u q n a r t e h t add to 38

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EASY IDEAS

WATERY

wow

Make a glamorous statement with a sleek modern WATER FEATURE that complements your garden style.

And of course, the benefits that first brought water features to our gardens are still there to be enjoyed. Gently running water creates a soothing backdrop, perfect to unwind with at the end of a hectic day. The sound can also help muffle traffic noise and distract from chattering neighbours. The constant flow of water lends a sense of life and movement into a garden and will quickly attract thirsty birds and other creatures. Together these will all add interest to your patch, enriching the time you spend outside, year round. ➣

LESS IS MORE

A big trend this summer is to team a simple sphere water feature with low-growing planting for an uber-chic look.

Ground-hugging thyme, houseleeks and heathers grow together to disguise the water reservoir and create a textural backdrop without overcrowding the water feature itself. Try 50cm Echo Fall Marble Touch Sphere, £199.99 primrose.co.uk

F E AT U R E: J I L L MO RG A N . PH OTOS : G A P, L I V I N G 4M E D I A

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or years water features have done little more than add a tranquil sound to the garden but right now they’re bang on trend and doing so much more. Whether a striking focal point at the end of a path or a sculptural statement to lift a dull corner, the new breed of design-led water features are fast becoming a must-have in a modern garden.

Spilling out water, they’re a mesmerizing addition to any contemporary plot, big or small, as in Alison and Bodie Kelay’s garden on page 30. There are endless designs on offer in a wide range of materials, so it is easy to find a design

WHAT STYLES ARE THERE?

From gleaming, stainless steel cylinders to hewn granite monoliths, the choice of water features is ever growing. Look for a material that either compliments or contrasts with the planting or backdrop. Online retailers Crocus and Primrose have a wide selection, so a browse will give you a good idea of the range available, and what might complement your garden and the plants in it.

Polished steel features glint in the sun and create a sleek, contemporary look that works beautifully alongside the large scale, tropical style leaves of Fatsia Japonica, Canary date palms and gunnera. There are oriental-inspired designs that create a more contemplative water effect – echo the Eastern culture by surrounding these with graceful acers, textural clump-forming grasses, finely-raked gravel and of course, rustling bamboo.

For a more industrial and edgy feel, seek out products in the material-of-the-moment, Corten steel. Although often delivered with a dull shine, this metal is intended to be exposed to the elements so it can gradually develop a unique, rich rust effect. Oozing weathered charm and intense, deep tones, it looks beautiful when nearby delicate blooms and foliage echo its bronze, earthy finish.

Designs in composite and natural stone are also hugely popular and come in all shapes, heights and groupings. Choose from pale stone-effect pillars finished with a highlypolished surface for simple elegance, or rough-hewn solid granite for a more rugged appearance. Ceramic and glass products are also available, but do check they’re intended for permanent outdoor use before installing.

THAT’S CLEVER! REPEATING SHAPES

Accentuate your chosen water feature by echoing its form in the surroundings.

Here a simple stainless-steel sphere sits proudly next to clipped box balls and clump-forming grasses. Even tall single stemmed shrubs of box and yew have been clipped into neat spheres to tie the whole look together.

Solar Aterno3 28cm Brushed Steel Sphere Water Feature, £167.99, waterfeatures.com

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EASY IDEAS

MULTI-CHANNEL WATER WALL

Bring a sense of drama to your garden with a feature that combines height and multiple spouts. Completely selfcontained with a submersible circulating pump, this Veneto design in zinc, looks great against a far wall or nestled within a foliage-filled border.

Square Veneto, from £1495 aplaceinthegarden.co.uk

WHERE SHOULD I POSITION IT?

It’s worth taking plenty of time to think about where you would place a water feature in your garden before you go shopping, as this will influence the size and shape of the design you choose. Water features are perfect for livening up a dull corner. Alternatively, place it in the most prominent place in your garden, so it acts as a focal point for a sleek, formal design – standing one centre-stage at the end of a rill or paved, straight-edged path gives unrivalled drama.

At the opposite end of the scale, water features can work well in a secluded or unused part of the garden, particularly if they’re partially hidden behind plants – the intriguing sound of trickling water and occasional glint of sunlighton-steel through leaves lends a sense of mystery and invites guests to explore.

Once you’ve decided on the position, then mull over the size and shape options that would work best there. Think about how you will view and enjoy the feature, too. If positioned in the corner of a seating area or at the far end of a patio, a taller design will have more impact, while a smaller, low level feature will work better in a more central area.

ARE THEY TRICKY TO INSTALL?

In a word – no! Most water features come equipped ready-to-go with a pump, water reservoir and a power source – either a built-in

Light it up The combination of light and flowing water is a mesmerising combination, which is why many designs have integral LEDs. Some even have auto colourchanging cycles which can be controlled remotely. For a more subtle look, simply position a separate spotlight nearby. solar panel or generous length of cable. The water reservoir is generally designed to be sunk in the ground, in which case there is some digging to do, but some options cleverly place the water tank in a larger decorative planter, so you can avoid this effort if you want to.

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to assemble the pump, water pipe and cable so it is ready to place into the reservoir. Next, dig a hole large enough to sink the water tank into, if needed. Make sure the container sits level and the top edge flush with the soil. Place the pump into the reservoir, fill with water, feed the pipe from the pump up through the lid and secure in position. Slot the water feature in place and finally, dress the surface with pebbles, gravels or chippings, depending on the look you want. ➣ And that’s it, you’re done!

TEXTURED CERAMIC

Get an earthy, global look in your garden with a tactile, ceramic water feature. The best for a modern garden are simple urn shapes, with an irregular hand-thrown feel. This two-tone dimpled design comes with a plinth that contains the water and pump.

Dapple Cascade Water Feature, £98 diy.com

PLANTER COMBINATION

Make a dull corner work extra hard with a water feature that’s designed as a planter too.

With a separate solar panel, you can position this in the shadiest spot, and the tiered areas create a lush pocket of planting while water gently trickles down the levels. Perth Square 4 tier Solar Water Feature Cascading Herb Planter, £99.99 primrose.co.uk

to n i t i n r u T ? e v o l ou TIP Got a pot y r e t a W ’s n o g d a l th B i w e r u t a e f r e t a aw .uk o .c e t i s n e d r a g 9 .9 Feature Kit, £50

G A R D E N S 41

HOW ARE THEY POWERED?

They can be mains or solar powered. Mainspowered features tend to come with around 10 metres of cable that will need to be wired into an outside socket or threaded through into a garage or shed’s internal socket. If you wish to bury the cable, make sure it’s encased in armoured trunking to avoid digging through it accidentally in the future.

Solar-powered designs can vary so be sure you know what you are buying. Some smaller features have integral panels, which although neat, means it must be positioned in direct sun and will only operate in daylight. Others come have a separate solar panel with a length of wiring, enabling the water feature to sit in your chosen position and the panel moved to a sunnier spot. The performance of these features depends directly on the natural light levels, but it is also possible to find products that come with or are compatible with a solar back-up battery system. These use and store solar energy simultaneously so you can enjoy the feature during the evening too.

UPCYCLED TREASURE

Easy upcyclin

With a little creative thinking you can team a vintage treasure with a contemporary waterspout or tap to make a unique water feature. To find a trough, visit local salvage yards and check out online retailers such as lassco.co.uk and ukaa.com. You’ll need a water feature kit such as the Pebble Pool Sump Kit, from £49.99 allpondsolutions.co.uk, and retailers will be able to advise on the size and power of pump needed, depending on the height the water needs to reach.

The finishing touch Which stones you choose to dress the base of the feature with makes a big difference to the finished look. From slate chippings, rounded cobbles to flat pebbles, the range is huge, and you can team natural stone features with aggregates of the same or similar material

TALL TOWERS

If space is tight or your garden needs a standout feature, try a bang-on-trend water tower. Choose from stainless steel, ceramic or stone designs with single or multiple tubes. Position in a secluded corner for intrigue or pride of place on the patio. For an ultra-neat finish bury the reservoir under the ground and top with pebbles or raise up on a plinth that also conceals the water and pump. Medium Stainless Steel Brushed Tubes Water feature, £179.99 primrose.co.uk 42

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for a chic finish, or go for a contrast such as granite and white quartz for dramatic effect. Do test out what the stones look like when they’re wet before you make a final choice – colours and markings will become richer and more prominent which can alter the overall effect.

OUTDOOR LIVING

Fiona’s Plant, vintage and craft-lover FIONA CUMBERPATCH has a small, town garden in Lincolnshire that she’s bringing back to life with easy projects and planting ideas

A

lthough the days are getting shorter, I have no intention of coming back inside just yet. The parasol is still up, the barbecue is working overtime, and my containers and raised beds are packed full of flowers.

There are some changes afoot, though. It’s around this time that I want to see richer, more mellow colours in my garden.

On a recent day trip to a big country house in Blickling, Norfolk, I saw masses of dark red dahlias in the gorgeous old walled gardens.

My tiny plot couldn’t be more different to that stately home, but I often get ideas to take

All set for a late-summer party

Zinnias are another beautiful late-summer flower, which come in many jewel colours.

I love the zesty orange ones, such as ‘Orange King’ and I’ve put a terracotta pot full of these by the front door, as they love a sunny spot.

I’ve been adding these Indian-summer colours to my garden via accessories too. For a recent family party, I hung up some colourful solar paper lanterns from Poundland, and added a Lisbon outdoor floor cushion from Sainsbury’s Home. On the menu were some seasonal tomato and cheese tarts, salad leaves and poached plums from the market served with lavender shortbread. I hung up woven baskets of flowers (bohemiadesign.co.uk has a good selection), attaching them to my trellis.

These baskets will come inside and hold my houseplants over the winter.

After some torrential summer storms, the paintwork on my shed and wooden raised

Plant heaven

Dahlia inspiratiotn from a day ou

FEATURE: FIONA CUMBERPATCH. PHOTOS: FIONA CUMBERPATCH, SHUTTERSTOCK

“ The days are getting shorter, but I have no intention of coming back inside just yet” away when I’m looking around dream outdoor spaces. I jot down plant names and take photos then enjoy working out how I can get a flavour of what I’ve seen in my own space.

Dahlias grow very happily in pots and they pair up well with grasses. Even better, some supermarkets, such as Morrisons and Lidl, now sell potted ones in flower, so it’s very easy and inexpensive to get the look. My favourites are dark-toned, velvety dahlias such as ‘Sam Hopkins,’ plum-coloured ‘Bishop of Canterbury’ and a lovely shaggy-topped orange one called ‘Mel’s Orange Marmalade.’

Teamed with a pot of Japanese blood grass from the garden centre, planted in an old zinc trough, they look so striking, and better still, they will come back year after year.

beds is looking faded, so on the next dry day, I’m going to refresh them with my favourite Cuprinol Garden Shades paint. I’ve recently found another vintage sign on eBay to add to my she-shed. I searched for a navy blue one to tone with my plant colours. With salvaged items, sticking to a similar palette or a theme works best in a small space. I have to be careful that the passion doesn’t get out of hand.

A vintage vibe is one thing, but I don’t want it to look as if I’m living in a junk yard!

Fiona

Instagram @fionacumberpatch blog www.fionacumberpatch.com

Decorating my she-s

hed

od, o f l a n o s a e S d outside serve SEPTEMBER 2019

MODERN GARDEN

READER GARDEN

Makeover

“My upcycled garden is always evolving” Anne Marie Stoltman has styled a MODERN OUTDOOR SPACE on a TINY BUDGET

S

tylist and interior designer Anne Marie Stoltman is a dab hand at transforming houses into havens, but when she and her partner bought a new terraced property in Nottingham six years ago, her thoughts were firmly on the garden.

“When we first moved in, the garden was the only thing we didn’t like about the house, but it seemed like a compromise we could live with,” she says. “Although the garden was on the small side, and looked very boring – entirely covered in concrete slabs with just a couple of flower beds and some planters – it was nicely shaped and got the sun for most of the day.”

Anne Marie wanted to zone the space to make the garden look bigger but, most of all,

BEFORE

she wanted to inject some colour into the sea of grey. A lawn was essential, and she also wanted a comfy seating area where she could curl up and enjoy some downtime.

“An outside dining space where we could all have breakfast on a summer morning was also a real must,” she says. “I wanted the garden to be an extension of our house.”

The original garden was on two levels, with a slightly raised corner terrace framed by walled flower beds at each end. This seemed the perfect spot for the seating area, and so the larger of the beds was demolished to free up space. The dining area would be at the back of the house, close to the kitchen. Because they were on a tight budget, the couple decided to ke on the project themselves to save on bour costs. This meant work had to fit ound busy jobs and family life, so was arried out as time and money allowed.

WO R DS DI WAR D L E P H OTOS A N N E M A RI E S TO LTM A N

CONCRETE JUNGLE

inally on two levels The garden was orig corner terrace. with a slightly raised 44

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The first task was to get rid of some of the aving on the lower level and replace it with vibrant green lawn. “My partner lifted the concrete slabs and I dug up the whole area,” ays Anne Marie. “We found a lot of rubble underneath the slabs from an earlier enovation of the house so that needed removing too. It was hard work and it took us a couple of weeks, after which we both felt like we needed a holiday! We were also shocked to discover that the flower bed we took down had proper concrete foundations, which again meant more work for us.

“And to make matters worse, the whole garden was full of clay, which we also had to remove! But then we had a couple of ➣

A WELL-DRESSED table makes outdoor dining fun.

THE BAMBOO forms a natural screen to provide privacy.

READER GARDEN DIRECTOR CHAIRS are easily folded and brought inside. Aland Wooden Director Chair from £19 diy.com

BE CREATIVE

Make your cash go further by bargain hunting, upcycling and reusing existing items DARK PAINT gives the paving a striking look. Try Wickes Smooth Masonry Paint £3/250ml wickes.co.uk

WOODEN shelves are home to pretty seasonal flowers.

BRIGHT PLANT colours pop against the dark fence.

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M O D E R N G A R D E N S 45

tons of top soil delivered and laid new turf on top. When it was all finished, we both said that if we’d known all of this beforehand, we wouldn’t have done it. Which only proves that sometimes it’s better not to know everything!”

Next, Anne Marie painted the slabs in the seating area with black masonry paint, adding glitter to the paint so the paving sparkles in the sun, creating a granite-like effect but at much less cost.

“People worry that dark colours will make a space look smaller but that’s not always the case,” she says. “Dark tones can create a calm and welcoming space, and as a background it really makes other colours pop.”

ONGOING PROJECT

The following year, more slabs were removed to plant a fast-growing bamboo against the boundary fence, creating a living privacy screen.

And the space is still constantly evolving, with Anne Marie turning her eye for design into new ideas for her outdoor space.

“We add something every year and the rule is always the same: to recycle as much as possible and spend as little as possible,” she says.

A recent project was to build an outdoor sofa using wooden pallets. “I put small pallets in a row on top of each other and tied them together,” Anne Marie explains. “I had some fence boards left from a previous project so I used them to make the front of the pallets look nice and tidy. Then I painted the sofa in the same grey colour as the fence. We all love it!”

AL FRESCO DINING

ors, and Anne Marie styles home interi rden. now she loves designing her ga

MY GARDEN PL AN LOCATION 1960s terrace, Nottingham

Anne Marie’s favourite part of the garden is the dining area, for which she found an old table and some director-style chairs on ebay. Worn covers were replaced with striking blue stripes and the frames and table painted in matching tones to brighten up a previously lacklustre space. Outdoor rugs add warmth and give a sense of continuity with the inside of the house.

Hanging from the parasol, which arches over the table, are covered candle-holders and lanterns in different colours and shapes.

“They’re a must for creating a relaxing atmosphere,” says Anne Marie. “You can buy them cheaply in shops like Home Bargains or Poundland. They usually come with a little hook, and I’ve simply used string to hang them.

“Dark tones as a background really make other colours pop”

THE LOOK Vibrant and carefree SITE & SOIL Size 6m x 8m Faces East Soil Mostly clay OUR BUDGET Turf £300 (including top soil) Plants £100 Furniture £60 TOTAL £460 HOW LONG IT TOOK Lawn 2 weeks Planting 2 weeks Making wooden sofa a weekend job Upcycling dining furniture a weekend job TOTAL: 4 WEEKS + 4 DAYS

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They’re great for adding colour to the garden and come in lots of different shades.”

From the dining area, the couple can enjoy a view of the whole garden, planted in tones of blue, white and pink, including Anne Marie’s favourite, lavender. Planters are filled with shrubs of different heights and texture for interest, and bright pots line the walls and hang from wooden trellises to add points of colour.

But Anne Marie hasn’t finished her garden yet. “There are always some new plans and ideas on the go for our garden,” she says. “I want to make a bench for the table, and I’m thinking of adding a pergola at the back. I have to admit it – I think I’m addicted!”

A TROUGH and containers add colour and interest to the trellis and seating area

READER GARDEN

SMART IDEAS TO STEAL PAINT PAVING SLABS with a mix of matt masonry paint and silver glitter to make them look like granite ADD A BLACKBOARD Rust-Oleum Chalkboard Paint (£13 homebase.co.uk) is suitable for outside use on most surfaces MAKE A PATIO TABLE from two pallets and four castors

GET COMFY

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M O D E R N G A R D E N S 47

TWO FOR ONE

This on-trend geometric rug is hardwearing yet soft underfoot – best of all it’s reversible! L3C Osaya Geometric Garden Patio Indoor Outdoor Rug (120 x 180cm), £34.99 amazon.co.uk

Love

YOUR PATIO

Add style with an

F EAT U R E: J EN N I F E R M O RG A N . PH OTO : S H UT TE RS TO CK

OUTDOOR RUG It’s the very latest trend this summer and brings COLOUR AND COMFORT to your outside space

O

utdoor rugs are making a strong style statement this summer, and they’re in high demand – Argos sold out of its Global Monochrome Rug, priced just £15, in just six weeks (don’t worry if you want one, they’ve ordered more!). And it’s no wonder they’re proving so popular in modern gardens across the country.

A rug can define a outside space, just as the one in Anne Marie Stoltman’s garden (page 44) zones her dining area. It’s a really cheap way to add a whole heap of style to your garden. And it’s a fast, easy-care cover-up for any outdoor 48

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surface you’re not especially fond of. Many of the newest rugs also come with a great recycling message too, made from recycled plastics such as drinking straws and bottles. But best of all, a rug brings your plot bang up-to-date with the very biggest of garden trends this year, taking the inside, out.

As Vicky Wright, Buying Manager for Seasonal at Argos Home, explains, “We’re seeing interior pieces like floor cushions increasingly moving outdoors, giving spaces a more homely feel. An outdoor rug really finishes off the look.” ➣

RELAXATION PROMPT

Team a cocoon or hanging chair with an outdoor rug and a few lanterns to create a peaceful mindful space in your garden.

Florence Alfresco Padua Rug in anthracite (120 x 170cm), £37.96 prestonrugs.com

EASY IDEAS

SHAGGY RUG STORY

You can sink your toes into this hand-woven loop pile rug which is made from recycled plastic bottles. Clover silver cream (120 x 170cm), £139 modern-rugs.co.uk

ON THE WILD SIDE

This exotic-looking indoor/outdoor rug is resistant to both mildew and UV rays.

Savannah Zebra rug from Alexander Home (152 x 232cm), £111.16 overstock.com

en d r a g f o s g e l e h t TIP Sit the p o t s o t , g u r e h t furniture on up g n i l r u c s e g d e r o corners

INSTANT ZONING

Give your dining area definition with this all-weather rug by Cane-line. It’s practical, comfortable and durable (140cm), £395 worm.co.uk SEPTEMBER 2019

M O D E R N G A R D E N S 49

MATCH YOUR GARDEN STYLE

Last year, the choice of outdoor rugs was pretty minimal. But now there are all sorts, so it’s easy to find one that fits with your garden style.

Choose from bold colours, such as on-trend terracotta or ochre, or more subtle Scandi-style designs. There are shaggy rugs to wriggle your toes into as you relax on your garden sofa, and shake-and-they’re-clean rugs to go under your outdoor dining table. There’s plenty of choice when it comes to size, too, with designs as small as 80cm in width to over two metres – so you can find a rug to fit a balcony through to making a statement in a large decked area. Shape-wise, there are narrow, square, rectangular and round – so take your pick!

Before you go shopping, have a look at your garden to decide where a rug would work best, and what you want it to do. You could position it to define a zone, in front of your garden sofa to create a lounging space, under your garden table, or alongside a bench.

Think about the practical benefits a rug could bring, too: laying one on your patio in front of bifold doors will prevent a lot of dirt being walked into the house. Consider, too, how the colour of a rug will impact on your space.

Choose a hue that’s similar to the tones of the flowers you love most, and it will highlight them when they’re in bloom. Using the same tones

Let’s eat out!

OPTICAL ILLUSION

Lay a striped rug with the design running in the opposite direction to decking boards and it will make the space seem bigger. Salvadore Stripe Outdoor Rug (120 x 170cm), £34.99 carpetright.co.uk 50

MODERN GARDENS

SEPTEMBER 2019

as your planters and pots or outdoor furniture will help to create a unified look. And a seriously bright colour-pop will instantly add some zing to your space.

NEED TO KNOW

Outdoor rugs are most commonly made from plastic, which makes them resistant to mildew and mould. Many also have UV protection to ensure they keep on looking their stylish best.

You can leave your outdoor rug outside all-yearround, but like garden furniture, you can prolong its life by bringing it inside over winter.

These rugs work best on hard landscaping

AND RELAX...

or decked areas. If you’re planning to lay one on grass, then choose a breathable design.

Outdoor rugs can make the grass underneath sweat, and prevent the air from reaching it, so even with a more open-weave rug, you’ll need to roll it up after use. Some have corner grommets, enabling you to peg it down on grass and prevent it from blowing away.

If your rug is laid on paving or decking, you’ll need to remove it and clean the whole area at the end of the summer – a blast with a pressure washer will do the trick. If any decking has faded unevenly around or underneath the rug, then re-stain the wood if necessary.

3

EASY IDEAS

of our favourite patterns

MONOCHROME MAGIC

Add a touch of sophistication with this rug made from jute, a durable vegetable fibre. Jute Trim Round Rug (120cm), £19.99 homestoreandmore.co.uk

CHEERFUL ZIG-ZAG

Florence Alfresco Trieste Yellow (120 x 170cm), £33 modern-rugs.co.uk

SCANDI STYLE

Pinch a style tip from interior designers and layer several rugs to cover a larger area. Made from recycled plastic bottles, this rug feels like wool, but is waterproof and mould resistant. Weaver Green Provence Collection Washable Outdoor Rug in navy (120 x 180cm), £135 johnlewis.com

BOLD STRIPES

Multicolour Flatwoven, Indoor/Outdoor Rug (133 x 195cm), £15 ikea.com

GREEN SCENE

Foliage Print Outdoor Rug in white and green. Amazonie (140 x 200cm), £88 maisonsdumonde.com uk

How to keep your rug clean To keep your rug looking its best, Daniel Prendergast, managing director at therugseller.co.uk, recommends: ✽ Dirt is easier to remove when the rug is dry. At the end of a hot, sunny day when the rug is thoroughly dry, shake it to dislodge the worst of the dirt, then vacuum if necessary. ✽ Consult the care instructions and find out what the rug is made from before attempting to clean it. ✽ If the care instructions say the rug can be washed, use a mixture of washing-up liquid and warm water to gently rub away dirt and stains using a sponge or soft cloth. Gently hose off the rug and hang it out to dry afterwards. Turn it over to ensure the underside is aired too. ✽ Store the rug indoors or stow it in waterproof storage through the winter.

SEPTEMBER 2019

M O D E R N G A R D E N S 51

Ultimate Allium Mix BUY 50 FOR

£19

THEN GET A FURTHER 50 FOR JUST

£1

S

HINING SPHERES of colour will add dimension to your borders or hover magically above your decorative pots throughout May and June. Cut for unusual bouquets or leave the blooms to dry for ornamental interest during late summer.

An interesting fact – Allium is an ancient name for garlic, once known for their medicinal and aphrodisiac qualities as much as their flavour. Easy to grow in any well-drained soil in sun or part shade.

Prefer well-drained soil in sun or part shade. Height 45-60cm (18-24").

Your order will be confirmed along with a copy of our latest catalogue and your bulbs will be delivered with our No Quibble Guarantee from September onwards.

Your Allium collection of 100 comprises • 20 × cowanii • 10 × christophii • 10 × nigrum • 20 × sphaerocephalon • 20 × Oreophilum • 20 × Purple Sensation

You will receive half the quantity when ordering 50

ORDER • ONLINE hayloft.co.uk • PHONE 0844 335 1088 QUOTE MG0919 MG0919

SEND THE COUPON TO: Hayloft Plants, FREEPOST RTGR-JAGJ-JETG, Pensham, Pershore WR10 3HB NAME & ADDRESS

PLEASE SEND 50 ALLIUM BULBS

ITEM CODE

PRICE QTY

BUALMX1-MG0919

£19

100 ALLIUM BULBS BUALMX2-MG0919

£20

P&P (UK ONLY)

£4.95 TOTAL DUE

Postcode Tel

Please enter the last 3 digits of your security code (CV2)

I enclose Cheque/PO made payable to Hayloft Plants Ltd or please debit my Mastercard/Visa/Maestro Card no.

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HAYLOFT PLANTS, MANOR FARM NURSERY, PENSHAM, PERSHORE, WORCESTERSHIRE WR10 3HB

EASY IDEAS

Floral faffery

WITH JANE JANE SCOTT is a renowned floral designer. Her stylish,

simple ideas look beautiful but are easy to create and don’t cost a fortune. This month, she makes stylish tin can vases

P

art of becoming more eco-friendly with our choices includes reducing or reusing our food packaging. I’ve long been an admirer of cute cans and tasteful tins, some are just far too pretty to throw into the recycling.

They come in all different shapes and sizes from sardine cans to cooking oil drums. I’ve taken advantage of these metal masterpieces and reinvented them as vases and planters.

Start by taking a look around your home for inspiration and supplies. Not only are tins a great alternative to plastic but they are currently having a bit of a style moment. Filled with anything from artisan lemonade and trendy tonic water to posh olive oil, the great news is that aluminium cans are infinitely recyclable.

I’ve chosen tins with modern or imaginative designs, some were presents but I managed to find most of them in my local supermarket.

upin

Add a touch of oveliness

ove-in-a-mist

FEATURE & PHOTOS: JANE SCOTT

CANNED CREATIONS

To turn them into vases, clean them well and be sure to wash out any residue. Remove the lid with a smooth edge tin opener and cover any sharp edges with small pieces of invisible sticky tape. I’ve used cans that have a design printed directly onto the metal. If these are hard to find, then remove the original labels from plain tins and cover them with the same size piece of your favourite wrapping paper. Secure with a length of twine or ribbon.

I’ve kept it simple and sustainable with the flowers, which have been gathered from the garden and salvaged from a fading birthday bouquet. Start by holding around 10 stems of flowers loosely in your hand, add in some seasonal foliage, then cut the stems level with sharp scissors. I like my blooms to look natural and a little wild and ideally, they should be just over half the height of the can. Flowery tins are perfect for your kitchen windowsill or, better still, cheer up a friend with your canned creation.

Phlox

Jane Instagram @janescottflowers blog www.janescottflowers.com

This large ofelivcte vtianse For lasting loveliness and fragrance, use dried la makes the per vender SEPTEMBER 2019

style Cultivate a grereenserhelliffe on a ba M O D E R N G A R D E N S 53

We LOVE this!

COLOUR-DIP Paint the bottom of plain pots in tonal shades and group together for an eye-catching display. Cuprinol Garden Shades (£11.50/1L homebase.co.uk) works on both terracotta and stone pots.

1

HANG ON HOOKS Put an old coat rack to good use displaying small terracotta pots suspended on garden twine.

2

15 ways to perk up your

POTS

Style up your summer patio with these FAST AND EASY ideas MAKE A MOSAIC Cover old pots with mosaic, using old broken tiles and quick-set cement. Or get a kit: Mosaic Stone Tiles, £11.95 bakerross.co.uk

3

4

TAKE IT TO THE WIRE Mould chicken wire around a large pot or planter for an industrial edge.

Simple but oh-so effective! Blooma Triple Torsion Mesh, £14 diy.com

EASY IDEAS WOW FACTOR

FOR BOLD

MAKE A GEOMETRIC STATEMENT Get creative with geometric patterns using contrasting colours. This is all about pattern, not precision, so you don’t need to be too careful! RustOleum Painter’s Touch Black Gloss Multipurpose Paint £8/250ml diy.com SEPTEMBER 2019

5

M O D E R N G A R D E N S 55

➣

RAISE POTS ON STANDS Plant stands are having a moment this summer — so raise the profile of your favourite plants – find a good, cheap selection at ikea.com

6

56 M O D E R N G A R D E N S S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 9

GOOD IDEA

EASY IDEAS

Quick make

PLAY WITH PAPER Show off ornamental grasses to full effect by sitting your pot in an upturned concertina lightshade.

Clever! Or create your own by folding coloured paper. A4 Bright Coloured Paper, £1.80 for 20 sheets hobbycraft.co.uk

8

7 ADD A NAUTICAL ROPE Bring a bit of seaside to your back garden by wrapping an old rope around a pot base and adding seashells.

9

TURN IT OVER To bring multi-level interest to your garden, an upturned terracotta pot makes a simple but stylish stand. 40cm Terracotta Verona Standard Planter, £12.99 primrose.co.uk

e h t n i l l e p s a o t nts a l p e s u o h t a e r T m.

TIP r a w l l i t s e r a s t h ig n e h t e l i h w n e d r ga

10

GO MONOCHROME Painting your pots in black, and placing them against a wall or fence also painted in black, will highlight the shape of statement evergreen plants.

➣ SEPTEMBER 2019

M O D E R N G A R D E N S 57

11

TRANSFORM A DULL WALL Create a vertical pot display using heavy-duty garden twine attached to a shed or fence panel. Grunt Sisal Rope Twisted, £8.50 homebase.co.uk

So EASY

JUST ADD FEET Raise your pots up on pretty-butpractical feet. They’ll stop your plants from becoming waterlogged when it rains. Blooma Terracotta Pot Feet, £2 for three diy.com

ALL WOUND UP Give outdated pots a new look by wrapping them in a coil of rope, securing it with a hot-glue gun. Diall Polypropylene Braided Rope, £7.31/20m diy.com

12

14

UPCYCLE OLD CRATES Is there no end to the clever ways to get creative with crates? Painted in pops of colour, they make perfect planters. Group together and stack for a multi-level display.

Cuprinol Garden Shades in Sweet Sundae and Coastal Mist, £11/1L wickes.co.uk

13

EASY IDEAS

BEAC LIFE

REPURPOSE STORAGE BAGS Blur the lines between indoors and out and get clever with canvas storage. An old laundry bag makes a lovely planter. Klunka Laundry Bag, £7 ikea.com SEPTEMBER 2019

15

M O D E R N G A R D E N S 59

F E AT U R E: E MM A K EN D E L L , K ARE N WA RR E N . PH OTOS : G AP, T HE J OY O F P L A N TS, F LO RA PRE S S

SOUNDS SOOTHING

What to do in your

GARDEN NOW...

Simple steps to keep your plot looking good this month

Prune climbing roses

Give them a good chop now, once they’ve finished flowering, and you’ll get lots of lovely blooms next summer.

Cut back any shoots that are growing from the main framework of branches to just a couple of leaves. Then chop off any dead, diseased or spindly growth – if you don’t like the look of it, remove it! Finally, tie any juicy new shoots to the supports.

60 M O D E R N G A R D E N S S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 9

EASY IDEAS

Bring in houseplants

If you’ve given them a summer holiday outdoors, now’s the time to bring them back in before it gets chilly.

Check their leaves for pests and search for any slugs or snails hiding in the pots.

Enjoy the last tomatoes

If your patio plants are still laden, give them a liquid tomato feed such as Levington Tomorite (£3.75/L diy.com) to help ripen the last fruits. For any that aren’t ripe at the end of the month, cut off the whole cluster of stems (the truss) and lay it on a sunny windowsill to allow the fruits to ripen ‘on the vine’.

Get set for spring To pack your garden full of cheerful spring colour now is the best time to pop bulbs into your beds and containers. Plant drifts of the same colour, or try mixing similar tones – pale hues together look great – for a modern look.

Treat wood

Set aside a day to give wooden furniture and pergolas a coat of wood preservative. Try Cuprinol Clear Wood Preserver (£13/1L wilko.com) to keep your wood looking good, or add colour with Johnstones Garden Colour (£7.50/L homebase.co.uk).

Install a water butt

Collecting rainwater is a great way to reduce your water bill, and rainwater is better for rhododendrons and orchids, which don’t like tap water.

Make a raised bed

Planting at knee-height makes things easier on your back. Use raised beds for growing your own veggies or fill them with grasses, flowers, greenery, or whatever else takes your fancy.

Make your own from scaffold boards from DIY stores – build them no more than 1.2m wide, so you can easily tend to the plants from the sides. Or treat yourself to a Corten effect raised bed, from £146 harrodhorticultural.com ➣

SEPTEMBER 2019

M O D E R N G A R D E N S 61

easy ideas

10 minute sort out

✽ shape topiary Give evergreen topiary a final trim for the year to make sure they look good through winter.

Add winter colour

✽ sharpen blades Get ready for autumn chopping of stems by sharpening the blades of your favourite secateurs.

Try Felco Diamond Sharpener, £19.99 worldoffelco.co.uk

Cut back plant stems

As autumn sets in, the stems of many border plants die down for winter. Leave those that look lovely, such as sea hollies, but lose anything that looks dead by cutting to ground level.

62 m o d e r N g a r d e N s S e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 9

✽ deal with weeds Spend a few minutes pulling out any pesky invaders now, and your garden will stay pretty weed-free all winter.

f e atu r e: g eo f f h od g e Ph otos : a l a m y, g a P, s hu tt er s to ck

Garden centre shelves will be full of winter and spring-flowering plants such as pansies, polyanthus, primulas, wallflowers, sweet William and bellis daisies this month.

These plants will bring an easy pop of cheerful colour to your garden even when temperatures drop below zero. The bigger the plant grows before late autumn, the better it’ll flower in winter and spring.

Actively increase circulation to reduce these symptoms with the REVITIVE Circulation Booster®

M

ore than a million people are now dedicated to the REVITIVE Circulation Booster®, which is high-tech yet needs no specialist operation.

REVITIVE is being shown to help with symptoms such as the feeling of tired legs and puffy ankles - as well as improving our feeling of health generally.

The circular footrest is a dynamic hub for electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) technology, sending electrical pulses gently up through the feet and into the body. ew people realise it but the calves act as our ‘second heart’,

F

pumping blood up from the body’s farthest reaches back to the heart. It’s no secret that things tend to slow through ageing or being less active. After we’ve been on our feet for a while, at best many of us suffer from symptoms where we find our legs feeling tired and ankles puffy.

Yet sufferers are discovering that is a thing of the past thanks to the REVITIVE Circulation Booster®, a drug-free, therapy device which actively increases circulation. It should be used from just 30 minutes daily and it won’t interfere with any existing medication.

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by the England Cricket Legend and Charity Walker:

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- Sir Ian Botham

“

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Puffy Ankles?

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EASY TO USE – hydrate yourself & apply FREE moisturiser to feet, increase intensity until your calf muscles contract, sit back, relax & let REVITIVE do the rest.

EFFECTIVE – REVITIVE creates Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) which sends gentle electrical pulses up through the feet which contracts the calf muscles to get your leg muscles pumping & may help provide relief from the feeling of tired legs and puffy feet and ankles, while you relax.

CLINICAL TRIALS – Imperial College London’s vascular surgery department at Charing Cross Hospital London has conducted extensive clinical studies and advocate its use.

DRUG-FREE – REVITIVE is a class IIa medical device offering a drug-free solution, plus entitling you to claim back the VAT†† if you suffer from a long-term illness - call for further details.

by the Professor:

“REVITIVE uses clinically proven EMS technology which I know works” – Professor Johnathan Beard, Consultant Vascular Surgeon Sheffield teaching Hospitals

T

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Patented Stimulation Waveforms

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significant increase in blood flow Researchers from Imperial College London and London’s South Bank University demonstrated in a clinical study† that REVITIVE significantly improves blood flow by over 50%. ™

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The REVITIVE DX &

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on REVITIVE Medic Bundle

• FREE Foot & Leg Cream • FREE Body Pads • FREE UK Delivery to mainland UK* with your purchase of REVITIVE DX Circulation Booster ®.

Includes one extra year of Warranty (worth £30). Call us for details about Offer & VAT relief on REVITIVE Medic

NOW ONLY £149.99

REVITIVE DX not eligible for VAT relief

DAY RISK-FREE TRIAL

EXCLUSIVE MAGAZINE OFF

Try in your own home for 60 days - if you don’t enjoy the relief then return for a no-quibble refund

**

FREE PHONE:

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Call today! 0800 014 6046 Lines open Mon Fri 8am 5:30pm & Sat 9am 4pm

Bracknell, RG12 1HL, UK. AW: 15379369 09.18

RDX1614

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Post completed coupon to: Dept RDX1614, Actegy Ltd, Reflex, Cain Road, Bracknell RG12 1HL PLEASE TICK BOX FOR PAYMENT OPTIONS BELOW

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Postcode UNSUITABLE IF YOU ARE: Fitted with a heart pacemaker or AICD; being treated for, or have the symptoms of, Existing Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT); pregnant. Always read the label. Use only as directed. If you are uncerta about the cause of your symptoms or your symptoms persist, please consult your Doctor. †TRIAL: With Revitiv calculations showed blood volume 4 times higher than baseline / at rest in healthy people (Varatharajan al, 2014, The effect of footplate neuromuscular electrical stimulation on venous and arterial hemodynamics, Phlebology, July 4 20 participants.) *Free standard P&P worth £7.99 in England and Wales. Some areas of Scotland, Northern Ireland and other remote postcodes will incur a surcharge cost of £19.99. Next day or express deliveries will cost more, please ask our customer service team for a quote **If returned within 60 days, full refund of purchase price, minus collection fee of £7.99 (some areas of Scotland, Northern Ireland and other remote postcodes will incur a surcharge cost of £19.99). Must be returned in original UNDAMAGED packaging otherwise further charges may apply. 1 trial per customer only & trial starts from dispatch date. ††If you suffer a long term illness or disability, you may be able to claim back the VAT. All quotes used are real however, to protect the identity of our customers, models have been used for the pictur Copyright © 2019 Actegy Ltd. All rights reserved. REVITIVE and CIRCULATION BOOSTER are trademarks or registered trademarks of Actegy Ltd. Registered in England no. 4819502. Registered office Actegy Ltd, Reflex, Cain Road

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WORTH £24.99!

140 free

*

ALLIUM BULBS FOR EVERY READER! *Just pay £5.65 postage

Bring EFFORTLESS STYLE to your garden with a gorgeous collection of EASY TO GROW alliums

D

ramatic, decorative and droughtresistant so you don’t even need to water them when grown in the ground, alliums are an absolute must for every modern garden. And this month you can claim a bumper 140 bulbs for free*!

Fill your outside space with towering stems topped with sculptural globes, each made up of hundreds of tiny star-like flowers, and bring

shape, colour and interest to every level of your garden. With a mix of six varieties, these alliums will bring an explosion of colour to nextsummer’s borders and pots, followed by eye-catching seedheads in autumn.

YOU’LL RECEIVE: ✽ 30 pretty blush-pink Allium roseum, which grows to 60cm and are loved by butterflies ✽ 25 Allium moly, with cheery blooms of bright

yellow atop 30cm stems flowering in June. ✽ 25 fab pink-and-green drumsticks of Allium sphaerocephalon, growing to 60cm ✽ 25 Allium neapolitanum, which grows to 60cm with dainty, airy white flowers ✽ 25 Allium ostrowskianum, with its gorgeous pink flowers, grows to 25cm tall in a patio pot. ✽ 10 Giant Allium ‘Purple Sensation’, whose globes can reach 15cm across on 120cm stems.

HOW TO GET YOUR FREE* ALLIUM BULBS

Call 0844 573 1686 and quote the offer code TM_MGR16 or visit thompson-morgan.com/ TM_MGR16

reader offer

Tulip Queensday These tulips have petals of brilliant orange-red, edged in bright gold, and stand on tall, thick stems.

Bring bunches indoors, and they’ll fill your home with scent. Plant now for an abundance of blooms in April and May. H45cm, S15cm. buy 8 bulbs for £6.29, 16 bulbs £8.99, or 32 bulbs for £13.49.

Narcissus Replete Improved This beautiful daffodil variety has two rows of white petals surrounding a ruffled cup with warm pinky hues. The eye-catching flowers grow up to 10cm across. They are ideal for borders, rockeries and containers, they’re perfect for bringing indoors, too. H45cm, S15cm. buy 10 bulbs for £4.49, or 20 bulbs for £7.19.

Giant snowdrop This variety is known for its large snowdrop flowers. Its honeyscented nodding flowers have snowy white tepals, with green-tipped smaller inner tepals. Simply plant in dappled shade underneath trees and shrubs. H30cm, S10cm. buy 10 bulbs for £3.59, 20 bulbs £6.29, 40 bulbs for £8.99, or 100 bulbs for £19.99. t&Cs: Your free* allium bulbs will be dispatched fromSeptember 2019 onwards. All other orders will be acknowledged with a dispatch date in writing, by letter or email. If in the event ofunprecedented demand this offer is oversubscribed, we reserve the right to send suitable substitute varieties. Your contract for supply of goods is with Thompson & Morgan, Poplar Lane, Ipswich, IP8 3BU. Terms & Conditions available upon request. All offers are subject to availability.

This product cannot be delivered to the following postcode areas: GY, HS, IV41-IV56, KW15KW17, PA34, PA41-48, PA60-PA78, PA80, PH40-PH44, TR21-TR24, ZE1-ZE3. Images for illustration purposes only. Offer closes 29 September 2019.

HOW TO ORDER ✽ online thompson-morgan.com/

TM_MGR16

✽ Call 0844 573 1686, quoting

tm_mGr16. Calls cost 7p per minute plus your providers access charge.

✽ by post Fill in the form, cut it out and

post it to the below address.

Code

description

price

Qty

KB0700FFP

140 free* alium bulbs – 1 per reader

FREE

1

total

tulip Queensday KA7172

8 bulbs

£6.29

TKA7204

16 bulbs

£8.99

TKA7205

32 bulbs

£13.49

narcissus replete improved 63243

10 bulbs

£4.49

T63255P

20 bulbs

£7.19

Giant snowdrop 45543

10 bulbs

£3.59

10086

20 bulbs

£6.29

T12022PA

40 bulbs

£8.99

80911

100 bulbs

£19.99

TM_MGR16

postage (per order)

£5.65

1 total

£5.65 £

order form

Please fill in and send (with your payment) to: Modern Gardens, Dept TM_MGR16, PO Box 162, Ipswich, IP8 3BX Title ............................................................. Initial ...............................

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september 2019

M O D E R N G A R D E N S 65

F E ATU R E: K AR E N WA RRE N P H OTOS : A L A M Y, G AP

don’t miss these great offers

Fill your garden with

red-hot

DAISIES Add these fire-bright blooms to your garden for a BLAZING END-OF-SUMMER SHOW

P

erhaps your garden is looking a little lacklustre as summer starts to fade. If so, head straight down to the garden centre this weekend and pick up some daisies to brighten up your outside space in no time! Razzle-dazzle daisies in red, orange and yellow will make your garden glow and add some much-needed pizazz as things start to fizzle out elsewhere. Our favourites – rudbeckia, helenium and osteospermum – are all super-easy to grow.

FEATURE: SARAH WILSON PHOTOS: GAP, SHUTTERSTOCK, ALAMY, FLORAPRESS

CHEERY TONES

66

We all need a little sunshine in our lives and these daisies will add a blaze of colour to lift your spirits as autumn begins. Shades of apricot and mango, canary and lemon, and crimson and cherry will lend a warming glow, and are a great way to link the seasons, bringing autumn hues to your garden in the most summery of shapes.

Hot colours grab the attention, so use them as a focal point or an accent, or to highlight an area such as an entrance. Dotting splashes of the fiery tones around the garden works well, too, drawing the eye from space to space. These vibrant colours are highly visible so they’re useful to illuminate a dull, dark corner.

Position your daisies in the sunniest spot in your garden MODERN GARDENS

SEPTEMBER 2019

HELENIUM

✽ Helenium blooms from

midsummer through to late autumn. ✽ Flowers come in shades of orange, yellow and mahogany red, with bright green foliage. ✽ With the common name of sneezeweed, it’s not surprising to know that the dried flowers were once used to make snuff.

EASY IDEAS

RUDBECKIA

✽ The common name for this eye-catching bloomer is

coneflower or black-eyed Susan. ✽ They flower from midsummer through to late autumn. ✽ Best known for their vibrant yellow petals and conical black centres, they also come in gold, orange, deep mahogany red and multi-hued red, rust and bronze varieties.

Plant something lovely MAKE A STATEMENT

OSTEOSPERMUM

✽ The common name of this fiery little

number is African daisy or Cape daisy. ✽ There’s a range of bright shades as well as both pale and hot pinks, peach, purple, and white. ✽ They flower from June to September and being a smaller plant, are ideal in containers.

SEPTEMBER 2019

➣ M O D E R N G A R D E N S 67

OSTEOSPERMUM One of the easiest of daisies to grow – once you’ve popped an osteospermum into a border, you can more or less forget it!

Long flowering with abundant blooms, it’s super-reliable and won’t let you down – even in the face of a late-summer heatwave or an early frost, it will still produce masses of flowers. The old-fashioned pink and purple varieties have now been superseded by these smouldering shades of orange, yellow and red that are guaranteed to stand out in your garden as other flowers start to fade.

COLOUR BURST Osteospermum ‘Orange Symphony’ blooms from April to October.

Its luscious tangerine daisies look fabulous in an orange planter.

SIT BACK AND RELAX

Tough osteospermum hail from South Africa and have evolved to cope with a shortage of water, meaning you don’t have to toil away with the watering can on hot evenings. At the other end of the scale, they can survive the winter if you move their container inside, safe from frosts. They tend to put on their best display of blooms in autumn, adding a welcome flush of late colour to the garden.

Deadheading is really all you need to do to keep your plants looking tidy, so snip off those fading blooms. While it’s flowering, feed it with a slow-release fertilizer such as Osmocote Controlled Release Plant Food (£7.25/750g amazon.co.uk) or a liquid feed such as Miracle Gro All Purpose Plant Food (£5/1kg waitrose.com).

GROW IN A WINDOWBOX

Create a sunshine display of Osteospermum ‘Voltage Yellow’ (H30cm x S30cm, £18/6 plants hayloft.co.uk) with a vivid backdrop of the neat and tidy foliage of Heuchera ‘Key Lime Pie’ (H45cm x S45cm, £18.50/3 plants hayloft.co.uk). Or opt for a deep crimson with Osteospermum ‘Serenity Red’ (H40cm x S40cm, £6.99/5 x plug plants brooksidenursery.co.uk) and burgundy red Heuchera ‘Berry Smoothie’ (H40cm x S40cm, £13.99/3 plants jparkers.co.uk).

ADD A COLOUR POP

Luscious tangerine Osteospermum ‘Orange Symphony’ (H40cm x S35cm, £26.25/50 plants kernock.co.uk) flowers from April to October and has a contrasting deep purple centre. Plant in a container in full or part sun and it will quickly bush out to fill it and tumble down over the sides.

Enjoy bright and cheerful late summer blooms 68

MODERN GARDENS SEPTEMBER 2019

NEAT AND TIDY Osteospermum ‘Fireburst’ is a small plant with stunning coppery red flowers.

EASY IDEAS

Plant heaven

n i t u o y r d o t l i e so h t e k i l s e i s i nd a a w o n TIP D k a o s d goo a o s , s g n i r e t n e t f o d n between wa a e l t t i nl a h t r e t t e b s i again STAYING POWER Flowering from early summer until late autumn, Rudbeckia ‘Early Bird Gold’ gives you max blooms for your money.

SUNNY DELIGHT Eye-catching Rudbeckia ‘Goldsturm’ looks great when planted in big bold drifts.

RUDBECKIA

With a ring of daisy-like petals surrounding an inky black button, rudbeckia puts on quite a show. They have a long flowering season from July until November, so will keep your garden looking gorgeous for ages. Although predominantly yellow, a range of red and orange-coloured varieties is now available, as well as splotchy multi-coloured ones. The classic is ‘Goldsturm’ (H60cm x S45cm, £5.99/9cm pot thompson-morgan. com) with its golden-orange flowers and dark chocolate centre. It spreads quickly to form an eyecatching clump.

Give rudbeckia the sunniest spot in your garden, though it’ll also be fine in dappled shade. To keep it blooming right though autumn, snip off faded flowers.

GO PRAIRIE STYLE

CENTRE OF ATTENTION Many rudbeckia varieties have show-stopping centres, like this ‘Cherry Brandy’.

Rudbeckia looks fabulous planted with gentle flowering grasses such as Japanese blood grass, miscanthus or

purple fountain grass. The pale feathery flowerheads of Miscanthus sinensis ‘Yakushima Dwarf’ (H2m x S90cm £9/2L plant, bethchatto.co.uk) are the perfect foil for hot colours. Rudbeckia also looks good planted with day lilies, dahlias and heleniums.

ADD VERTICAL HEIGHT

For clouds of golden flowers that will hide an ugly fence or provide a focal point at the back of your planting, choose giant Rudbeckia laciniata ‘Herbstsonne’ (H2m x S90cm, £6.50/1L bethchatto.co.uk) which will reach its final height by mid-summer, providing colour from July until October.

Deep crimson ‘Cherry Brandy’ is another tall variety that works well planted in drifts (H60cm x S30cm, £5.95/5 seedlings sarahraven.com).

TAKE IT INDOORS

A bunch of rudbeckia on its own fills a vase in style. The blooms last for seven to 10 days if you add a little bleach to the water. One of the best multi-coloured varieties for indoor drama is Rudbeckia hirta ‘Sahara’, with a splotched mix of orange, red and yellow petals (H60cm x S30cm, £5.95/5 seedlings sarahraven.com).

SEPTEMBER 2019

➣

M O D E R N G A R D E N S 69

EASY IDEAS

HELENIUM

GO VIBRANT Plant helenium against a bold wall painted in a complementary colour to make them really sizzle.

In a shimmering palette of hot shades, vibrant helenium blooms will outshine every other flower with their velvety petals. They flourish in a sunny position but do prefer moist soil, so do include them in your evening wateringcan round. If they wilt in hot sun, give them a good drenching with the hose and they’ll soon pick up again. Snip off any spent flowers and more will appear almost as if by magic!

It’s a good idea to stake taller varieties such as ‘Moerheim Beauty’ (H120cm x S 60cm, £11.99/2L pot waitrosegarden.com), which is great for the back of borders with its rich dark copper red petals from June until September.

MIX IT UP

Mix flaming helenium with other sunny and vibrant flowers such as Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’, orange dahlias like ‘David Howard’, fiery alstroemeria, Verbena bonariensis, tall yellow solidago and bronze fennel. Or for a stunning contrast that will make the bright colours pop

Butterflies love to hover over its petals

BRIGHT SUNSHINE Deep yellow Helenium ‘The Bishop’ is a dwarf variety which flowers during the late summer months.

70

MODERN GARDENS

SEPTEMBER 2019

out, mix them with deep blue agapanthus or Salvia nemorosa ‘Caradonna’ (H50cm x S30cm, £11.99/2l pot waitrosegarden. com), or taller ornamental grasses such as feathery Calamagrostis acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’ (H1.8m x S 60cm, £11.99/2L pot waitrosegarden.com).

ATTRACT BUTTERFLIES

With its large daisy-like orange blooms slashed with vivid yellow, helenium ‘Waltraut’ (H60cm x S60cm, £24/3 x 9cm pots hayloft. co.uk) is a magnet for bees and butterflies,

which love to hover over its vibrant petals.

It flowers from midsummer right through to autumn to keep the winged creatures happy.

POP IT IN A POT

Many varieties of helenium are a little on the tall side to enjoy life in a patio pot. But eyecatching ‘Mardi Gras’ (H75cm x S60cm, £13.95/3 x 9cm pots claireaustin-hardyplants. co.uk) is a shorter variety with stunning multi-coloured red and orange petals splashed with yellow that looks fabulous in a container and loves a sunny spot. Plant up in moisture-retentive soil such as Moisture Control Enriched Compost by Miracle Gro (£10.99/50L greenfingers.com), which absorbs twice as much water as ordinary compost.

BEE MAGNET The dark coppery red flowers of Helenium ‘Ruby Charm’ make them a ‘must visit’ for bees and butterflies.

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A little bit of heaven

Plant a

GRACEFUL CORNER

Every month we give you easy ideas for creating a special corner in your garden

What to buy

FEATHERTOP

A fantastically fluffy grass with loose mounds of fine leaves and white bottlebrush-like flowers that bob about in the breeze. Height and Spread 60cm. £5.99/9cm pot crocus.co.uk 72 M O D E R N G A R D E N S S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 9

MAIDEN GRASS ‘FLAMINGO’

A light, elegant grass with slender, sparkling pink flowers that erupt like fireworks in late-summer above clumps of narrow, arching foliage. Height 1.8m Spread 1.2m. £8.99/2L pot knollgardens.co.uk

W

ith summer waving a warm goodbye and autumn well on its way, gardens take on a looser, softer feel. Make the most of this Indian summer moment of seasonal mellowness by creating a corner in your garden that’s packed with wispy grasses, at their best this month, and slender-stemmed flowers that will keep on blooming until the first frosts. Weave the flowers in among the grasses so their foliage is hidden and the flowers will appear to float for a fabulously graceful feel. All these plants will thrive in a sheltered corner that receives plenty of autumnal sunshine and in soil that’s moist but well-drained.

DAHLIA ‘PARK PRINCESS’

This striking cactus-type dahlia produces masses of spiky, bright pink blooms until the first frosts if you remove any fading flowers.

Height and Spread 60cm £6.99/2 tubers suttons.co.uk

EASY IDEAS

Three more effortlessly airy combinations Loves a

SUNNY SPOT

JAPANESE BLOOD GRASS

A spectacular grass with leaves that turn fiery shades of deep red and orange and appear to glow in the low autumn light, with a delicate haze of dainty flowers. Height 40cm Spread 30cm. £5.55/9cm pot crocus.co.uk

GREAT BURNET ‘RED THUNDER’

RED BISTORT ‘FIRETAIL’

SWITCH GRASS

VERBENA BONARIENSIS

WHITE WOOD ASTER

TUFTED HAIR GRASS

These unusual claret-red, bobble-like blooms on top of wiry, multi-branched stems look fabulous swaying in a sea of grasses.

Height 1.2m Spread 60cm. £5.50/9cm pot claireaustin-hardyplants.co.uk

For vertical, willowy interest and a punchy shot of crimson-red, plant this vigorous perennial, which makes mounds of weed-suppressing foliage. Height 2m Spread 1m. £6.50/9cm pot sarahraven.com

No need to

WATER

Create a feathery froth with the delicate, bronze-purple foliage, which makes a striking contrast alongside sulphur-yellow umbel flowers that emerge in midsummer. Height 2m Spread 1m. £5.99/8.5cm pot crocus.co.uk

Blue-grey leaves take on glorious golden yellow tones as autumn approaches, with tiny flowers rising high above them.

Height 1.5m Spread 75cm. £11.50/2L pot burncoose.co.uk

This airy plant has multi-branched stems topped with clusters of tiny, lilac-purple blooms, which form a see-through curtain of colour. Height 2m Spread 45cm. £4.95/9cm pot sarahraven.com

Copes with

SHADE

JAPANESE ANEMONE

The elegant, pure white flowers of ‘Honorine Jobert’ (August-October) are held high above attractive dark green foliage adding an ethereal quality to your garden. Height 90cm Spread 40cm. £11.99/2Lpot crocus.co.uk

A gauzy abundance of small, white, star-like flowers cover black stems and dark green foliage to brighten up a dark corner. Height 60cm Spread 40cm. £5.95/9cm pot sarahraven.com

Fountains of delicate stems covered with billowy masses of tiny flowers create a golden haze. While most grasses need full sun, this one is happy in shade. Height 90cm Spread 45cm. £4.99/9cm pot knollgardens.co.uk

SEPTEMBER 2019

M O D E R N G A R D E N S 73

F E AT U R E: LO U IS E CU R L E Y PH OTOS : G A P, AL A M Y, S H UT TE RS TO C K

BRONZE FENNEL

Ask the DESIGNER

CEDAR PERGOLA With an annual coat of oil, the cedar will stay thi colour. Left to naturally ag it will take on a silver tone.

Each month we help sort out a reader’s problem garden with clever advice from the best experts in the garden design world Q My partner has restricted mobility, so we

want a low-maintenance garden with raised beds, and somewhere to sit in the morning sun. What do you suggest?

Christine and Alan Tapp

“I CREATED A GARDEN FOR A COUPLE WHO WANTED THEIR outdoor space to have separate functions that linked up,” says designer James Brunton-Smith of outsidespaces.net. “They had a newbuild property and the rear garden was completely flat and a blank canvas. The intention of the raised beds was to counteract the flatness, and the pergola structure gives height. I added levels to this garden to increase interest, but the plan would work just as well without the steps.”

James divided the garden into zones, each with a different purpose, and defined by hard landscaping. “I then squeezed plants into all the nooks and crannies throughout the whole space,” he explains. “I use plants to create ‘transparent curtains’ between the different rooms, rather than use elements like trellis to create harder divisions. It helps maintain the feeling of space.”

A

✽ Raised

beds

The raised beds have concrete walls but are free-draining to the soil underneath. Standard concrete blocks were built up to a height of

60cm, which is just the right height for interacting with plants. The inside is coated with a bitumen formula to prevent moisture from soaking into the blocks. Each bed was filled with two parts top soil from the garden, and one part compost.

A pigmented render (James used K-Rend) was used to cover the blocks. It has a silicone component which means stains easily wash off with a pressure washer. As a finishing touch, plastic beading was used around the edges of the walls to create crisp corners. Cladding a concrete-block raised bed with tiles will make it even more low maintenance.

✽ Saving

The planting is a low-maintenance mix of grasses and seasonal perennials, with structural shrubs dotted throughout. “I work to six plants per metre, randomly scattered through with blues, purples, whites and pinks, with some purple leaves as a nice contrast,” says James.

“Close planting reduces the weeds, and there’s a good cover of foliage which ensures

Use wide blocks to build raised beds so they’re multi-functional – then you can put your gin and tonic down, or use it as a bench 74 M O D E R N G A R D E N S S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 9

perfect height to e th at e ar ds be ed is ra The the plants. comfortably sit and tend

time

JAMES BRUNTON-SMITH, DESIGNER

“

1

”

the surface doesn’t lose moisture so quickly. It also prevents weeds from being blown in. Apart from the evergreens, the plants need to be cutback to a height of just 5-6cm in March.”

Artificial turf will also save hours of maintenance. “It’s worth investing in a good quality fake grass – I use Manhatten from Green Envee,” reveals James. “It has a mixed 40mm pile, with a textured, realistic look to it.

You would simply use a stiff brush to lift the pile and freshen it up, or you could run a vacuum cleaner over it.”

✽ Non-slip

decking

Composite decking is ideal for the seating area and to access the raised beds because it’s low maintenance and being non-porous, it doesn’t take on moisture, so doesn’t get an algae build-

YOUR GARDENS

Japanese porum 4

ed hot pokers

3 2

5

MPLE ILLUMINATION irectional spike lights in the raised beds highlight the plants and offer ambient light for the pergola.

alvia

WATER FEATURE A simple re-circulating feature brings the soothin sound of trickling water.

up which is what makes traditional wooden decking slippery. “You pay a higher price per square metre, but it has a 25-year guarantee and should last longer than conventional wooden decking. “I used grey-coloured London Hollow Decking from Green Envee.

“A change in materials between decking and dark limestone paving makes for an interesting flow,” says James

✽ Statement

piece

The eye-catching pergola is made from 8in beams in oiled cedar. It’s an architectural piece to continue the geometry of the garden design and is a repeated theme (there are two others elsewhere in this large garden). This one has eyelets built into the underside in which to clip a canvas to create shade on hot sunny days.

0cm 6 f o m u im in m a e b ould pth e TIP Raised beds sh d a d n a , ts n a l p r fo pace s f o y t n e l p e iv g to e wid th w o r g t o o r t n a l p d o of 45-60cm for go

Easy ways to get the look 1 TABLE & CHAIRS For similar, try Royal Garden Carlo 4 Seater Metal Patio Set £480, argos.co.uk 2 COMPOSITE DECKING £51.99 per sqm greenenvee.co.uk 3 LIGHTING For similar try mains powered

Robus Marlow Garden Spotlight, £30.64 lighting-direct.co.uk 4 PIGMENTED RENDER £10.80/25kg buiderdepot.co.uk 5 ARTIFICIAL GRASS £26.99 per sq m greenenvee.co.uk

WANT SOME DESIGN INSPIRATION?

Email us, including a picture of your garden, at moderngardens@bauermedia.co.uk

SEPTEMBER 2019

M O D E R N G A R D E N S 75

FE ATU R E: S U E PAR SLOW. D E S I G N E R JA M E S B RU N TO N -S M I TH O UTS ID ES PACE S. N E T PH OTO : JA M E S BR U N TO N -S M I T H

WHITE WALLS Pigmented render ever needs to be painted.

START YOUR

Spir ual Journey wıth Angels

Work with our experts to find out how to connect with the divine higher realm

CHAKRAS Bring balance to your inner and outer worlds by learning to tune into your energy centres

★★★

PSYCHICS

Unlock your potential and develop your skills with help from mediums, shamans and more

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➵ ON SALE NOW!

SIMPLE MAKE

30 minutes and

W

ith high summer upon us, we’re all eating outside, soaking up the last rays of the day’s sunshine and grabbing a blanket so we can stay chatting on the patio until bedtime. Sit these little herb votives on your outdoor table, and they’ll bring a delicious scent as well as a warm glow to your evenings as the candle flame gently heats the aromatic leaves. They’re easy to make but look so effective. And, because the outer glass isn’t in direct contact with the hot wax, you can safely use old jars or tumblers. Be warned though, your friends will want you to make some for them, too!

it’s done!

F E ATU R E: E MM A K EN DE L L . P H OTO : G A P

YOU WILL NEED ✽ 3 votive candles ✽ 3 glass votive holders ✽ 3 glass jars or tumblers ✽ Small pebbles or shells ✽ Water ✽ Herbs snipped from your garden

HERB CANDLES

WHAT TO DO 1 Place a candle in each votive holder, then position them in a larger jar or tumbler.

2 Place small pebbles and/or shells in the bottom of each jar or tumbler around the outside of the votive holders.

3 Carefully pour water into each glass jar or tumbler, to around halfway up the inner votive holders.

4 Tuck short lengths of herbs into the gaps between the votive holders and glass jars or tumblers, ensuring that the base of the stems are in the water. Here we’ve used rosemary, marjoram, mint and curry plant, but you can use any small-leaved herbs you like. Herbs with robust leaves cope with the heat better, so it’s best to avoid softer-leaved herbs such as parsley, coriander and basil. It’s nice to use a few stems that have flowered.

5 Arrange the candles on the table in a trio, scattering a few more pebbles and herbs around them.

OUR BUDGET

✽ Hemsjo Unscented Block

These little jars of joy will SMELL GORGEOUS on a late summer’s evening

Candle, £1.50/4 pack ikea.com ✽ Clear Glass Holders for Votive Candles, £6.99/6 amazon.co.uk ✽ Karen Round Glass Containers, 85p/3 cosyowl.com ✽ DYFT Decoration Stones, Natural, £1.75/0.7kg ikea.com TOTAL: £11.09

SEPTEMBER 2019

M O D E R N G A R D E N S 77

The natural stone paving is repeated at both ends of the garden

” n e d r a g e h t n i “I’m Every month, we take a peek over a reader’s garden fence. This time it’s Caroline Cofman of Birmingham * I share my garden with… my

husband, Tim, and our three grown-up children.

* My garden is…

The pink wall is a reminder of our old garden

small and rectangular. The main area measures 11.9 x 5.15m and the side return is 8.4 x 1.95m. When we moved into our Victorian terrace in January 1995, the garden was neat and easy to maintain but it was boring and had no character. It had a lovely acer but awful grey patio slabs!

Last year, we decided it was in need of a complete makeover. The children had grown up, so no footballs were being kicked around destroying plants, and the garden really did need some TLC. The project was far too big for me to take on by myself, so I chose a garden design company, Ava Gardens (avagardens. co.uk), because I was impressed by another garden they were working on. They did everything from drawing up the plans to putting in the final plants, and everything in between.

We can always find a place to sit in the sun

Because the garden is north-facing, we decided on two patios – one near the house and another at the end of the garden – so we always had somewhere to sit in the sun. The designer came up with the idea of using diagonals to create the impression of a wider space.

Tim was keen on high raised beds but I wasn’t, so in the end we compromised with low raised beds. The shed is new – I’m planning to use it as a hideaway on a rainy day with a good book and a cup of tea. The pink wall, which was my daughter Molly’s idea, was the only feature we kept from the old garden.

The plan for the side return was inspired by an article in Modern Gardens. Before, it was an ugly space, but now it’s so inviting. We took up the paving slabs and put pebbles down, and planted ferns and clematis, which will soon cover the pergola. It’s now a space to be enjoyed as a view from the house and the garden!

The work was finished just before Christmas 2018, and my son, Charlie, put up some fairylights.

They looked so pretty we kept them up!

F EATU R E: M EL A N IE W H I TE H O US E

The acer was the only tree we kept during the makeover

78

MODERN GARDENS

SEPTEMBER 2019

YOUR GARDENS

Our ugly side return is now an attractive seating area

We’ve turned the shed into a retreat. Our harp chair cost £25 from Dunelm husband’s son-in-law, Rory Andrews, has a landscape design company (rald. co.uk) and has given me lots of useful advice on which plants to add to the garden, such as beautiful geraniums ‘Salome’ and ‘Ann Folkard’.

My favourite Aquilegia ‘Rose Queen’ makes for a pretty pot

* Best buy

I can’t pinpoint just one particular thing. It’s the garden as a whole that brings the joy.

* Favourite plant * My inspiration is…

Ideas in Modern Gardens and online, and talking to Ava Gardens. I love going to my local garden centre (Wyevale, in Bournville) for plants. I also get inspiration from the Winterbourne Botanic Garden at the University of Birmingham.

* Best garden moment

When it was first redesigned I felt like our garden belonged to someone else and I was trespassing! But I’m beginning to add more plants and to really enjoy being outside.

* Favourite area

The side return as it now it feels like an important part of the garden. I want to add more shadeloving plants, so in time it will feel very secluded and quite different from the rest of the garden.

* Current obsession

Putting in more plants – deciding what they should be and where they should go! My

My new favourite plants are aquilegias as I love the colours and their delicacy. I also love to have fruit in the garden and have planted an apple tree, a plum tree and blueberry bushes.

* Latest project

A mosaic table adds a finishing touch

I’m already thinking about which bulbs I’d like for 2020. Dark tulips planted in an impressive swathe are top of my list.

* My top tip

Go with your gut instinct. Our first plans didn’t include grass and I just couldn’t imagine it at all, so I insisted it was added back in. I’m so glad that I did.

* My garden is…

The realisation of a long-held dream. I love all the seasons but if I had to choose I’d say summer, as I can stay outside for longer.

Get in touch Tell us all about your garden by emailing moderngardens@bauermedia.co.uk

SEPTEMBER 2019

M O D E R N G A R D E N S 79

PLANT P

H

Elegant & easy

HYDRANGEA ‘LIMELIGHT’ 10 REASONS you need this plant in your garden now!

DID YOU KNOW?

AXIMUM JOY

INIMUM FUSS

1

IS RIDICULOUSLY EASY TO GROW

This is one of the most easy-going shrubs you can buy. It’s perfectly happy in both full sun and partial shade, and it thrives in exposed spots as well as sheltered. It’s not fussy about soil either, as long as it’s well-drained. Robust and self-supporting, it will survive a heavy battering of wind or downpour of rain without flopping, blooms happily in either beds or pots and isn’t bothered by slugs and snails. Harsh winters don’t trouble it and it will keep bringing gorgeous blooms into your garden year after year.

Hydrangea paniculata ‘Limelight’, Height and Spread 2.5m, £6.99/9cm pot thompson-morgan.com

80 M O D E R N G A R D E N S S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 9

easy ideas

9

2

Makes an eye-poppinG heDGe/screen

limelight looks good in a container. choose a pot that is at least 45cm in diameter and be sure to use a good quality potting compost. water regularly to ensure the compost doesn’t dry out, and position the container on the patio with some dark green hostas to complement the hydrangea blooms. try organic extra fertiliser, £22.99/44L marshalls-seeds.co.uk

limelight bushes can grow up to two metres tall so they can be planted in a row to create a hedge or to screen an unsightly fence. Buy potted hedging and your screen will soon take shape, growing around 30cm a year. Hydrangea paniculata ‘limelight’ potted hedging 20/40cm, £6.99 each for 5 plants in 3L pots hopesgrovenurseries.co.uk

3

is siMple to prune

trim stems back to the first pair of new green buds in March. it will soon grow back and you’ll end up with a vigorous plant in a nice shape with more flowers. Just be careful you don’t remove any of the new flower buds.

is happy in a patio pot

6

works harD in winter

even when the flowers have faded, you can leave them where they are as the dried heads look really pretty. the leaves take on a vibrant red hue in autumn when the flaming foliage will take centre stage in your garden.

4

looks GorGeous inDoors

Just three blooms will effortlessly create a stunning arrangement. sear the ends of the stems in boiling water for 30 seconds to increase the vase-life of your flowers. they’re easy to dry too – just hang upside down in a dry, warm, and airy place.

7

puts on a lonG-lastinG show of BlooMs the dense clusters of flowers appear in midsummer and carry on until the end of september and beyond, giving you months of loveliness right into winter.

10

it coMes in a Mini version

Hydrangea paniculata ‘little lime’ is a more compact version that’s ideal for lighting up shady spots in smaller gardens.

Height and Spread 1.2m. £19.50/3L pot sarahraven.com

8

it chanGes colour

no friend having a cuppa in your garden will fail to notice the large, saucer-sized mopheads. often reaching up to 30cm in diameter, they really pack a punch.

feature: sarah wilson photos: Gap, shutterstock

5

has serious wow factor

starting off a pale lime-green tone, the blooms gradually turn ivory then become flushed with pale pink that gradually deepens, until they arrive at a final mix of pink and green. this zingy lime is bang on-trend right now and adds a cool modern accent. the colour show looks particularly stunning when ‘limelight’ is planted among white blooms such as the giant snowballs of sister plant Hydrangea aborescens ‘annabelle’, Height and Spread 2m, £16.99/2L pot crocus.co.uk, or graceful ornamental plumed grasses such as chinese silver grass, Height 1.3m Spread 1.2m, £11.99/2L pot crocus.co.uk September 2019

M o D e r n G a r D e n s 81

Grow your own P H OTOS : AG E F OTOS TO C K, AL A MY, F LO RA PRE S S, S H UT TE RS TO C K, V I SI O N S

HERBAL TEA

Imagine relaxing on the patio and SIPPING A CUP of a delicious brew, freshly picked from your garden

T

here is something so soothing about a cup of tea – the way its warmth transfers from the mug to your hands, how the scent of it is like aromatherapy, how a sip is both familiar and new, the way you can put together just the right variety to fit the mood or fix what ails you. Maybe you brew a cup of tea in the morning for a quick pick-meup, use a herbal blend to ease digestive upset, or wind down with a steaming mug before bed.

But instead of reaching into the cupboard for a supermarket tea bag, you can plant a tea garden and then enjoy clipping fresh herbs such as chamomile, basil, and peppermint for your own signature brews.

82 M O D E R N G A R D E N S S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 9

A tea garden provides instant access to fresh, flavourful herbs and allows you to get creative, mixing different plantings to create one-of-a-kind blends. Most herbs are easy to grow (most will thrive in pots on a sun-drenched windowsill), and making delicious tea can be as simple as steeping a few freshly plucked leaves in boiling water or as complex as drying herbs and combining multiple ingredients to make custom brews.

All types of true tea come from one evergreen shrub plant, Camellia sinensis, and you can grow this in Britain successfully. But lots of other plants make for a great cup of tea, too.

And by filling a few containers with a variety of

these diverse plants, you can create a whole tea garden from which you can pluck leaves to make all sorts of great teas. It’s fun to experiment with combining leaves from two or more plants to make your very own blend. And each of these types of teas offers different benefits, from boosting your energy levels to easing headaches, supporting your immune system to helping you drift off to sleep. You could even plant a few different plants with similar benefits to create a ‘hangovercure’ or ‘relaxation’ tea garden.

To get you started, the following plants are all easy to grow and all make a delicious cuppa.

Garden to teacup

ON TREND

“ There is something so soothing about a cup of tea” Echinacea

A staple in herbal medicine, echinacea is revered for its ability to fight infections, including colds and flu. It contains vitamins A, B, and E, as well as minerals including calcium and iron. All parts of the plant – leaves, flowers and roots – can be used to make tea. And it’s as pretty as it is practical. Echinacea purpurea produces flowers with daisy-like purple petals radiating from prominent conical orange centres that bloom from June to August.

✽ GROW IT Grow echinacea in full sun to

part shade and well-drained soil. This heat- and drought-tolerant herb grows well in poor soil.

Height 1.5m Spread 60cm. ✽ BREW IT Add half a teaspoon of fresh flowers, leaves or chopped roots or 1 teaspoon of dried flowers or leaves to 240ml of boiling water. Let the brew steep for at least five minutes and strain to remove the flowers, etc, before drinking.

Anise hyssop

Breathe easy

This herbaceous perennial bursts into bloom from June to September. As its name suggests, anise hyssop produces fragrant leaves with a strong anise (liquorice) flavour. The herb has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and has been used to relieve congestion and ease coughing. The light green, heart-shaped leaves make for a refreshing tea.

Dried leaves and flowers can also be used to make both hot and iced tea. ✽ GROW IT Anise hyssop grows well in sun to part shade. Although it tolerates most soil conditions, it requires good drainage to thrive.

Plant it in containers to keep it from taking over the garden. Height 1.2m Spread 90cm. ✽ BREW IT Add 2 teaspoons of fresh anise hyssop or 1 teaspoon of dried leaves to 240ml of boiling water. Steep for five minutes, then strain the leaves before sipping.

How to dry the leaves

Chamomile

And relax...

Made from the daisy-like flowers, chamomile tea is can be dried to make tea year-round. The stems smell great but are too bitter to use in tea.

The word ‘chamomile’ is of Greek origin and means ‘apple on the ground’, and the herb was named for its apple-like aroma and flavour. With mild sedative properties, this soothing herbal tea is often drunk as a sleep aid, and helps with colds and flu, headaches and stomach upsets. ✽ GROW IT Chamomile will tolerate poor soils and, for optimal growth, don’t overwater.

It doesn’t survive the winter but plants are easy to grow from seed, and it usually self-seeds and returns to the garden for subsequent seasons.

Height and Spread 60cm. ✽ BREW IT Add 1 tablespoon of fresh or dried flowers to 240ml of boiling water. Steep for at least five minutes, and strain before sipping.

You could stick to brewing tea solely from fresh herbs, but learning how to dry them allows you to make garden-to-teacup brews all year long. Dried leaves will retain their flavour and potency for up to one year. The easiest way is to air-dry the leaves, and this low-tech method has worked for centuries. ✽ Cut, wash, then pat dry herbs with a clean paper towel to remove moisture. ✽ Tie the stems together with a twist tie then wrap thin muslin that allows air to circulate around the bundle to catch falling leaves. ✽ Hang the bundle upside down in a dry, airy spot. ✽ You can also place herbs on a drying screen – any fine metal mesh will work. Lay a muslin cloth over the screen, scatter over a single layer of herbs and leave to dry. ✽ Herbs are dried when they crumble easily. ➣ SEPTEMBER 2019

M O D E R N G A R D E N S 83

Peppermint

Peppermint might be mistaken as a species all of its own, but it was developed by crossing watermint (Mentha aquatica) and spearmint (Mentha spicata). The leaves from fresh peppermint plants have a stronger flavour than dried leaves, but both are strong enough to make a delicious cup of tea. Peppermint is also known as a powerful medicinal herb used to soothe upset stomachs and aid digestion, and it’s also used for treating headaches, depression, and anxiety.

Really calming part shade and tolerates high temperatures as long as it’s watered often and the soil is kept moist. Plant it in a container to keep it from taking over the garden. Pretty pink flowers bloom in July and August – remove them to stimulate new growth. Height and Spread 60cm. ✽ BREW IT Add half a cup of fresh peppermint leaves or a quarter of a cup of dried leaves to 240ml of boiling water. Let it steep for at least 10 minutes and strain the leaves before serving.

pes y t e r o m r o o w t nd e l b d n a ’ t s i t n e i c e m o s t u b , t i h a TIP Go ‘mad s l be l i w s d n e l b Y I D of leaves. Not all lead to surprisingly tasty teas! l l i w s n o i t a n i b com

Parsley

Natural outhwas

To recover from an evening of overindulgence, harvest parsley from the garden and brew some tea. The fresh air while you’re picking it will help, too! This herb has been relegated to the side of the plate for far too long, and makes a delicious cup of tea. It’s high in vitamins A and C and minerals like potassium, iron, and copper and has been used to prevent kidney stones, relieve joint pain, and combat anaemia. Don’t drink parsley tea if you’re pregnant though. ✽ GROW IT This herb grows in full sun to part shade and likes moist, well-drained soil.

It prefers cooler climates and can wilt in hot, humid summers. Overwinter indoors on a bright windowsill. Height 35cm Spread 30cm. ✽ BREW IT Add 2 tablespoons of fresh or dried parsley leaves to 240ml of water. Steep for two to three minutes – parsley loses its flavour when it’s exposed to heat for long periods of time, so keep the steep time to a minimum.

Bee balm

This fragrant herb is a member of the mint family and produces clusters of pom-pomlike flowers from July to September.

Although it smells like Earl Grey tea, it has a light citrus flavour. It is a natural source of thymol, an antiseptic used in mouthwash. ✽ GROW IT Bee balm grows well in sun to part shade and well-drained soil. Like other mints, bee balm can be aggressive, so plant it in large containers to keep it from taking over. The plant is prone to powdery mildew: don’t use any leaves with the telltale signs of circular white spots, yellowing and wilting – to make tea. Height 1.2m Spread 90cm. ✽ BREW IT Add 2 tablespoons of fresh bee balm leaves or 1 tablespoon of dried leaves to 240ml of boiling water. Steep for 10 minutes, then strain the leaves before sipping it.

84 M O D E R N G A R D E N S S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 9

Hangover cure!

ON TREND

Pineapple sage

Butterflies love pineapple sage’s pretty tubular, scarlet flowers which bloom between August and October, while tea drinkers appreciate the citrus flavor and scent that earned it its name.

Despite its name, pineapple sage is not related to either the pineapple plant or the sage plant.

It’s a member of the same family as mint and, like other mints, it eases upset stomachs and aids in digestion. Some studies have shown it has a mild antidepressant effect, and it’s often used to treat sleep disorders. The red flowers are edible, too, and taste of citrus and mint. ✽ GROW IT Pineapple sage grows best in full sun and well-drained soil. Overwinter it indoors in a sunny spot. Height 1.2m Spread 90cm. ✽ BREW IT Crush the leaves to release the fragrance and tangy citrus flavour. Then add 2 tablespoons of the leaves to 240ml of boiling water. Let steep for 15 minutes or longer to maximize the delicate taste.

Sleep well

Lavender

Long prized for its fragrance, lavender makes an excellent cup of tea. It is related to both mint and rosemary and the taste is often described as a marriage of those flavours. All lavender species can be used in tea, and have different flavours – ‘Hidcote’ has a fruitier taste than most. It has a long history of use in folk medicine for a range of ailments, including insomnia, depression, chronic pain, muscle spasms, digestion, inflammation, and stress. Don’t drink too much though, or it can cause nausea and vomiting. ✽ GROW IT It’s best suited to full sun and well-drained soil, but it will tolerate poor soil and drought. Height 50cm Spread 50cm to 1m. ✽ BREW IT Mix 1 tablespoon of fresh lavender flowers or half a tablespoon of dried flowers with 240ml of boiling water. Let the tea steep for at least five minutes then strain the flowers before drinking.

Ease stress

➣ SEPTEMBER 2019

M O D E R N G A R D E N S 85

Holy basil

The history of this herb is as impressive as its flavour. Holy basil was said to be growing around Christ’s tomb after the resurrection and, in some Greek Orthodox churches, it is used to prepare holy water. In India, it’s called tulsi, which means ‘the incomparable one’. Different varieties of holy basil have different flavours.

Rama is the most common and has lighter green leaves and a stronger, more clove-like taste; Vana is the most fragrant and has notes of liquorice; and Krishna, with its dark green, almost purple, leaves, has a stronger, peppery taste. All are more aromatic and sweeter than traditional Italian basil and the flavour is at its peak when the leaves just start to bud, but leaves can also be dried. A cup of holy basil tea will give you an energy kick, and it’s known for alleviating digestive upset, relieving stress and calming colds, too. ✽ GROW IT Holy basil is native to Africa and Asia, so it grows best in hot temperatures and drier soil – water it too often and it will rot. It is sensitive to frost, so keep it on a sunny window over winter. Height 30cm Spread 20cm ✽ BREW IT Add 1 tablespoon of fresh leaves or half a tablespoon of dried leaves to 240ml of boiling water. Let steep for 15 minutes and strain leaves before sipping.

Energy booster

Fragrant ulti-task

Jasmine

Jasmine tea has been around since 1300 AD. The traditional method for brewing a cup of this fragrant and flavourful tea was so timeconsuming that it was once reserved for royalty.

But there’s a much simpler way to make a lovely cup of jasmine tea now. The deciduous vine has been associated with health benefits such as lowering cholesterol, reducing the risk of heart attack, improving the immune system and easing inflammation. Butterflies and bees love the nectar-rich tubular flowers in white or pale pink, so it’s a lovely plant to grow in the garden.

Because jasmine is acidic, drinking too much jasmine tea may cause a stomach upset. ✽ GROW IT Jasmine prefers full sun to part shade and a profusion of fragrant blooms appears from April to September. This fastgrowing vine needs a trellis or other support to scramble up. Prune it once it has finished flowering to control its rapid growth. Height 9m Spread 4.6m. ✽ BREW IT In a glass jar, add a cup of fresh jasmine flowers to 1 cup of dried loose-leaf green tea, sandwiching the green tea between layers of flowers. Seal the jar and let it sit for at least 24 hours while the green tea absorbs

the flavour of the flowers. Then shake the jar to mix the flowers and tea leaves. To brew, add 1 teaspoon of this jasmine tea mix to 240ml of boiling water and let steep for at least five minutes. Strain before serving.

3 tips for a great cup of tea ✽ PICK IN THE MORNING

To seal in the flavour, cut the herbs first thing in the morning. Use a sharp pair of shears to clip the leaves after the dew has dried but before the sun gets too hot.

✽ SNIP LITTLE AND OFTEN

Snipping a few sprigs or a handful of leaves serves as an informal pruning and keeps the plant growing fresh new leaves.

✽ HARVEST BEFORE IT BLOOMS

If you want to dry leaves to enjoy cups of tea through the winter, harvest them before the plant flowers for maximum flavour.

GET THE BOOK ✽ Extract adapted

from Growing Your Own Tea Garden: The Guide to Growing and Harvesting Flavorful Teas in Your Backyard by Jodi Helmer, £13.99, published by Companion House. It’s packed with details of over 60 plants that make great tea and brewing advice to create the perfect cuppa.

This article, a book extract, is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease. Although the author did extensive research to ensure accuracy, you must take care to positively identify all plants before eating leaves, flowers, fruits and roots. Some wild plants are poisonous or can have adverse effects. Avoid consuming any unfamiliar plants. Consult with qualified health professionals to verify the health benefits and safety of consuming plants.

Subscribe now at www.greatmagazines.co.uk/food-to-love-magazine

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Give your favourite houseplants somewhere stylish to live with these two turin terracotta Planters. the brownish-red burnt-clay pottery has a country garden or Mediterranean feel to it and will beautifully complement either real or faux plants. you could show off succulents, herbs or flowers in these charming planters.

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SEPTEMBER 2019

M O D E R N G A R D E N S 89

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& WHISKERS...

YOUR PETS

PAWS

...FINS AND FEATHERS. Whatever your pet,

here’s how to enjoy your garden with them

Give hogs a helping hand Hedgehogs love snacking on slugs and caterpillars, so it’s worth encouraging the prickly creatures into your garden.

Here’s how...

✽ FOOD

Help hedgehogs build up their fat reserves ready for hibernation by leaving out plates of canned cat or dog food or cat biscuits. Do not give them bread and milk, which can cause diarrhoea.

NON-SLIP CAT BOWLS Whether

you feed your cat indoors or out, these melamine bowls will save the mess. LESOTC Cat Bowl, £8.99 each amazon.co.uk PET IN A POT

✽ SHELTER

Dog drying made easy!

Whether your dog loves swimming or has been caught in a shower, take the faff out of dealing with wet and muddy fur with a Dog Drying Coat, from £26 ruffandtumbledogcoats. com. The absorbent towelling will wick away wet in minutes

F EAT U R E: AN G EL A K E N N Y

Treat your pet

1 Pet brush When your pet comes in from the garden, make sure his coat is debris- and tangle-free. £14.99 trouva.com 2 Artificial aquatic plants Add a bold splash of colour to your tank with these easy-care plastic plants. £13.99/10 amazon.co.uk 3 Chew snack Attach to an outdoor run or hutch so your rabbit can enjoy chewing on the grass and apple sticks. £7.59 amazon.co.uk

When you’re tidying your garden in autumn ready for winter, leave at least a small corner to give them a place to hide. A CD-sized hole in your fence will allow them to wander through gardens safely should they need to go further afield. A simple hideaway among your grass, leaves and shrubs will provide a secure refuge for expectant mothers and for hibernation.

✽ SAFETY

Be careful when you get the lawnmower and strimmer out as small hedgehogs can easily be missed among long grass.

Go around with a broom first, herding them out if necessary.

Sandra Keogh sent us this photo of her two-year-old cat Toffee looking sweet among the ornamental grass.

WIN!

If your pet is featured next month, you could win a porcelain pet bow a heart or bone design, £14 sophieallport.com Post

your picture to facebook.com/ moderngardensmagazine or email angela.kenny@bauermedia.co.uk

2

1

We LOVE this!

3

SEPTEMBER 2019

M O D E R N G A R D E N S 91

love

Each issue we bring you easy ideas and quick makes.

This month, we help you create GARDEN LANT

30

MINUTES

CHINESE LANTERNS

4 8 . £12

Made from thick paper, these lanterns should stand up on their own, with an LED tea light* inside for a starburst of light. Alternatively, hang them from a pergola or tree branch.

WHAT TO DO 1 Fold a sheet of A3 paper in half lengthwise.

Lightly score with a craft knife at the fold.

2 Measure 6cm in from the open edge, and draw a line across. Mark every 2cm along this line, then draw lines at each mark to the folded edge — marking 2cm-wide strips.

3 Starting from the folded edge, cut along these lines through both layers of paper to the original marked line. Now open the paper flat. If the pencil marks can be seen, gently erase them.

4 Bring the longer outer edges together to form a cylindrical shape with the centre fold on the outside of the lantern. Overlap the paper by 1cm and tape or glue in place.

5 To create handles, punch a hole either side of the top of the lantern then thread your wire through, bending the ends of each to secure.

6 Pop a battery-powered LED tea light* inside and enjoy the subtle glow of your lantern. If you wish to hang the lantern with a light inside, cut a circular base from card and tape in place.

cil n te s h it w r e p a p e th TIP Decorate t u o n r te n a l r u o y t u c designs before you 92 M O D E R N G A R D E N S S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 9

4

* D O N OT US E F L A M E T E A L I G HT CA ND L E S I N T H E L A NT E R N A N D K E E P I T AWAY F RO M A N O P E N FI R E.

F E ATU R E: S U E PA R S LOW. P HOTOS : L I V I N G 4 M ED IA

FOR 3 LANTERNS YOU WILL NEED ✽ A3 craft card, £1.25 for 8 sheets wilko.com ✽ Pencil and eraser ✽ Ruler ✽ Craft knife ✽ Cutting board or old magazine ✽ Sticky tape or strong paper glue ✽ String or craft wire for hanging lanterns ✽ Battery-operated LED tea lights* £8.99 for 12 lights4fun.co.uk

SIMPLE MAKES

SUPERFAST MA

* D O NOT USE FL AME T EA L IGH T C AND L ES IN T H E L A NTE RN AND K E EP IT AWAY FRO M A N OPE N FIRE.

PAPER BAG LIGHTS

ch a e 18p

CONTACT US Address: Modern Gardens, Bauer Media, Media House, Lynch Wood, Peterborough PE2 6EA Email: moderngardens@bauermedia.co.uk

The evenings may be drawing in, but we still want to be outside. Bag lanterns create soft, cosy lighting as the sun goes down. Buy white paper bags (from £1.85 for 10, amazon.co.uk), and decorate freehand or with stencils or stamps.

Replace handles with fine wire or string, decorate with ribbon and pop in an LED tea light*. Ta-dah!

EDITORIAL Phone 01733 468000 Editor Emma Kendell Art Editor Emma Howcutt Kelly Design Marisa Bailey Production Editor & Head of Publishing Angela Kenny Editorial Assistants Holly Cammarata Hall, Sara Mattick Contributors Clare Howcutt Kelly, Di Wardle, Fiona Cumberpatch, Fiona Galley, Geoff Hodge, Jane Scott, Jennifer Morgan, Jill Morgan, Karen Youngs, Katie Masters, Louise Curley, Melanie Whitehouse, Rachel Ogden, Sarah Wilson, Selina Lake, Sue Parslow Thanks to Caroline Glynne Jones, Geoff Hodge, Sue Parslow ADVERTISING Phone 01733 366404/366411 Group Commercial Director Nicky Holt Commercial Director Iain Grundy Key Accounts Lawrence Cavill Display Sales Lucy Baxter MARKETING Phone 01733 468209 Brand Manager Charlotte Walsh Direct Marketing Manager Julie Spires Direct Marketing Executive Amy Dedman Digital Marketing Assistant Kate Burton Head of Newstrade Marketing Leon Benoiton Newstrade Marketing Manager Samantha Thompson PRODUCTION Phone 01733 468878 Print Production Rebecca Stone Advertising Production Chloe Martin, Kurt Baker Printed by Southern Print Distributed by Frontline

* D O N OT U S E FL A M E T E A L I G HT CA N D L E S I N T HE LA N T E R N A N D K E E P I T AWAY FRO M A N O P E N F I R E.

SUBSCRIPTIONS & BACK ISSUES To ensure that you don’t miss an issue and for the best subscription offers, visit www.greatmagazines.co.uk For orders, renewals, missing issues or any other enquiry, please email bauer@subscription.co.uk or call 01858 438884. For overseas, call +44 1858 438884 To manage your account online, visit www.greatmagazines.co.uk/solo H BAUER PUBLISHING Managing Director – Sport & Leisure Oswin Grady Editorial Director June Smith Sheppard Head of Digital Charlie Calton Watson Chief Financal Officer Bauer Magazine Media Lisa Hayden CEO of Bauer Publishing UK Rob Munro Hall

PRETTY SHADES

£3.69

Make fun lights from paper cups.

YOU WILL NEED ✽ Paper party cups in various sizes.

Vintage floral designs, £3.69 for 12 partydecorationsuk.com ✽ Sharp craft scissors ✽ Pencil and ruler

asure roughly half-way into your cup and mark the depth at four or five points around the inside as a guide for your cuts.

2 Carefully cut vertical lines down into the cup every 1/2cm, using your pencil as a guide.

4 Gently fan the strips outwards and place an LED tea light* inside.

Modern Gardens magazine is published 12 times a year by H Bauer Publishing, registered address: Academic House, 24 28 Oval Road, London NW1 7DT. Registered number LP003328. No part of the magazine may be reproduced in any form in whole or in part, without prior permission of the publisher. All material published remains the copyright of H Bauer Publishing. We reserve the right to edit letters, copy or images submitted to the magazine without further consent. The submission of material to H Bauer Publishing whether unsolicited or requested, is taken as permission to publish in the magazine, including any licensed editions throughout the world. Any fees paid in the UK include remuneration for any use in any other licensed editions. We cannot accept any responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, images or materials lost or damaged in the post.

Whilst every reasonable care is taken to ensure accuracy, the publisher is not responsible for any errors or omissions nor do we accept any liability for any loss or damage, howsoever caused, resulting from the use of the magazine.

Whilst we endeavour to feature the latest products, all products shown are subject to stock. Prices correct a time of printing.

COMPLAINTS: H Bauer Publishing is a member of the Independent Press Standards Organisation (www.ipso.co.uk) and endeavours to respond to and resolve your concerns quickly. Our Editorial Complaints Policy (including full details of how to contact us about editorial complaints and IPSO’s contact details) can be found at www.bauermediacomplaints.co.uk.

Our email address for editorial complaints covered by the Editorial Complaints Policy is complaints@bauermedia.co.uk

SEPTEMBER 2£19

M O D E R N G A R D E N S 93

G O ET N YO MO U DE R D RN IG G IT A AL RD D EN EV S IC E

IMMEDIATE | ACCESSIBLE | CONVENIENT

Download in seconds | Read offline anytime | Easy back issue storage and access

TRY BEFORE YOU BUY WITH A 30-DAY TRIAL AVAILABLE ON

SIMPLE MAKES

Add a touch of loveliness

Try tying one can to a tree instead.

F E ATU R E: C L A R E H OWC U TT- K E L LY PH OTOS : F LO R AP RE S S, L I VI N G 4 M ED IA ,

£13.9 9

Eat out

IN STYLE

These SIMPLE MAKES will take your al fresco meals to a new level of lovely…

G

et ready for a garden party or family get together by decorating your outside space and giving it a fun and celebratory feel.

These simple upcycling projects will help dress up your eating area, and make it unique – and they won’t cost a fortune as you’ll be able to

utilise objects you probably already have in your house or garden.

Use paint shades that co-ordinate with the colour palette of your planting — or go wild and introduce lots of bright tones to get your guests in a party mood. And, you can incorporate your favourite flowers into many of the makes too.

TIN CAN CUTLERY HOLDER Simple, useful and lovely to look at!

YOU WILL NEED ✽ Six clean cans ✽ Sawn treated softwood, 22 x 150mm £6.50 homebase.co.uk ✽ Masking tape ✽ Plasti-kote spray paint in two different pinkshades of your choice, £7.49 per can amazon.co.uk ✽ Strong, all purpose glue ✽ Saw WHAT TO DO 1 Spray the cans with the lighter pink.

Once dry, mask off the middle section on each can and spray with the darker pink.

2 Measure the block of wood to 250mm wide and 150mm high and saw to size.

Spray paint the wood.

3 Place a good amount of the adhesive on to each can and push firmly in place onto the wood and leave to set. Fill with a selection of different items for the table.

SEPTEMBER 2019

M O D E R N G A R D E N S 95

➣

HANGING BOTTLE DISP

Free

An easy make to enhance your table.

YOU WILL NEED ✽ Six old bottles ✽ String ✽ Flowers ✽ A branch or pole WHAT TO DO 1 Soak the bottles in hot soapy water to remove the labels.

2 Cut different lengths of string. Wrap each one around the neck of the bottle and tie a tight knot. Wrap around the top a few times then tie another knot making sure you still have enough length to hang it from. Repeat this process on all the bottles.

3 Tie each bottle to a branch or pole hanging above your table making sure they are hung at slightly different heights. Fill each bottle halfway with water and arrange your flowers in each one.

SU TE

£8.48

Thi acc

YOU WILL NEED ✽ Vintage tea cup and saucer ✽ Potting grit, £4.99 waitrosegarden.com ✽ Cactus soil, £3.49 amazon.co.uk ✽ Succulent (echeveria is a good choice) WHAT TO DO 1 Sprinkle some of the grit in the bottom of the teacup. This will act as drainage. Fill the cup half way with the cactus soil.

2 Remove any excess soil from your succulent by gently tapping it and place it on top of the soil in the centre of the cup.

3 Top up with more soil and push firmly in place, being careful not to damage the plant. Add a decorative touch by topping with a little grit .

Water lightly to help bed the plant in.

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SIMPLE MAKES

£18 STREAMER CANOPY

Add a burst of colour with these decorative rings.

YOU WILL NEED ✽ 3 x Bright Tissue Streamers 10m, 5 pack, £2.50 hobbycraft.co.uk ✽ 3 embroidery hoops, £3.50 hobbycraft. co.uk ✽ Twine ✽ Scissors

WHAT T 1 For each streamers y g colour you’re using.

2 Attach the streamers to the hoop by making a slip knot. Alternate the colours until the ring is completely covered.

3 Cut three lengths of twine to 65cm. Tie each piece to the ring evenly around. Gather the three ends at the top and tie a knot to join them all together. Leave a loop at the top big enough to attach to the tree.

WINDOW MENU BOARD

Entice your guests with what’s on offer for dinner with this simple to make menu board.

YOU WILL NEED ✽ Old window with glass panes ✽ Sandpaper ✽ White posca pen, £1.99 amazon.co.uk ✽ Sandpaper WHAT TO DO 1 Distress the wi with a littl w

ge by rubbing an the glass oroughly with t your rden

9 9 . £1

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M O D E R N G A R D E N S 97

£36.59

UTENSIL PALLET

This outdoor kitchen storage panel is so easy to make YOU WILL NEED ✽ 1 x pallet (you can get this from your local builders’ yard) ✽ Whites Chicken Netting HandyPak 90cm x 1mm x 10m, £12.50 homebase.co.uk ✽ Galvanised staples 3.35x 30mm, £6.09 screwfix.com ✽ Hammer ✽ 3 x Socker plant pot, £6 ikea.com ✽ 2 x Socker flower box, £12 ikea.com ✽ Wire cutters WHAT TO DO 1 Remove any dirt from the pallet. Roll out the wire mesh and place the pallet on top to get the rough size. Using the wire cutter, cut the wire to shape, leaving excess at the top, bottom and sides.

2 Hammer five staples into each panel on the pallet starting at the top of each one and spacing them evenly apart. Do the same on the top and sides, making sure the wire is secured in place.

3 Trim off any excess wire at the top and bottom, ensuring no sharp bits are left.

4 Hang your planters on the pallet and fill them up.

COLOUR-POP TABLE SETTING

Splashes of colour add a modern look to your outside space.

So EASY!

ch, u to e v ti a r o c e d n fu a TIP For ra b a l e d n a c e th to n o d tie a teapot li with ribbon

WHAT TO DO 1 Paint the cola bottles in each of the shades of paint, applying two coats to completely cover the glass.

2 Pop some lime green frothy foliage into the bottles and add bright candles to the candlesticks.

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O.U K

YOU WILL NEED ✽ Plasti-kote Twist spray paint in Cameo Pink, Baby Blue and Daffodil, £7.49 per can amazon.co.uk ✽ Washed glass cola bottles ✽ Old candlesticks

£7.49

SIMPLE MAKES

4 4 .

1 £1

AL CENTREPIECE able display will add a touch of fun to ng!

YOU WILL NEED ✽ Old crockery ✽ Candelabra ✽ Rustoleum Chalk Paint Spray Vintage White, £7.50 wickes.co.uk ✽ Gorilla glue, £3.94 amazon.co.uk ✽ Selection of cut flowers such as snapdragons, lupins and feverfew WHAT TO DO 1 Spray paint the c delabra and repeat until desired colour inte hieved.

2 Put a generous he base of each piece of cr on each candle ho 3 Pour a little and add you

£7.24

MAGICAL WIND CHIME The zen-like tinkling of a wind chime brings a relaxing feel to eating out.

YOU WILL NEED ✽ Old lantern ✽ Plasti-kote Mediterranian Blue, £6.24 amazon. co.uk ✽ Old cutlery ✽ Tealight ✽ Ribbon £1 amazon.co.uk WHAT TO DO 1 Spray the lantern, having taken the glass jar out.

Once touch dry, apply another two coats.

2 Cut different lengths of ribbons and tie these to one end to your cutlery. Repeat as many times as you need to until all the cutlery has ribbon attached.

3 Attach the cutlery evenly around the base of the lantern and hang from a tree.

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M O D E R N G A R D E N S 99

ROCKED TO SLEEP If you tend to nod off when you’re a passenger in a car or train, then this hanging bell tent will sway you to sleep. Hanging Bell Tent, £950 coxandcox.co.uk

ENJOY YOUR ARDEN MORE!

THE ART OF THE

OUTDOOR

SIESTA Eyes down, feet up – it’s time to create the perfect spot for a SNOOZE IN YOUR GARDEN

F E ATU R E: K AT IE MA S TE RS PH OTOS : AL A M Y, G A P, L I V I N G 4 M E D I A , S H U TT ER STOC K.

F

orget weeding. Forget pruning. Forget cutting the grass. As the UK’s temperature rises to rival the heat of the Mediterranean, there’s only one thing you should be doing in your garden right now – relaxing. And by relaxing, we mean enjoying the full Latinoslumber party that is the afternoon siesta.

Garden snoozing is the biggest summer trend of 2019, so it’s high time you set up a tranquil space for an afternoon nap. This garden project can be as simple and low-budget as repositioning a lounger in the perfect spot and adding some cosy accessories, to creating a secluded snooze-zone complete with day bed and soothing planting.

GOOD FOR YOU

There are lots of reasons why it’s good to nap in the middle of the day. Research has found that it can reduce your blood pressure by an impressive 5.3mm Hg (that’s as beneficial as a low-dose blood pressure pill). Napping lifts your mood, aids weight loss and boosts your brain power, improving everything from reaction times to cognitive functioning.

And while an afternoon snooze is good, an outdoor snooze is even better. Repeated studies show that being in a natural setting helps us to release negative emotions and feel calm, while the sounds of nature – birdsong, the wind among the leaves – are more soothing than ➣ 100

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GENTLY SWAY Relax in style inside this double hanging cacoon.

Suitable for two people, it’s designed to be hung from a tree. £395 grahamandgreen.co.uk

Simple leasure

BEST BUYS

s r u o h n e v e s d n u o r a t star to p a n r u o y e im T r P a g TI u s d o o l b r u o y n he w is is h T . p u e k a w u st. e after yo w o l s it t a is y g r e n e our y d n a ip d to t r ta s s l l eve

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M O D E R N G A R D E N S 101

even music. Indeed, we have evolved to find simply the sight of plants restful. That’s because our eyes are attuned to the colour green. It is the wavelength of light we see most easily, so it’s the one we find the most relaxing.

SERENE SIESTA SPOT

The first thing to think about is where you want your napping sanctuary to be. What time of day are you likely to be relaxing in the garden?

Where is the sun at that point? And do you want to sleep in the full warmth of the sun, or

curl up in a shadier, sheltered spot?

If you want shade, an overhead trellis trained with fast-growing vines or honeysuckle offers dappled light and protection from the sun. Drape a wide arch in fabric to magic up an outdoor canopy or tie a stretched sheet overhead as a faux-gazebo.

Consider how you’ll position your sleeping area, too. We sleep well when we feel secure and each one of us has an instinctive need to ‘protect our backs’ – especially when our eyes are closed! So, you may sleep best if you’re

HOW TO CHOOSE A HAMMOCK ✽ A hammock made from organic cotton

is best for afternoon naps. Being light and breathable, it will dry quickly after a shower.

It’s easy to wash, and it is much warmer and snugglier than a rope-style hammock.

STYLE ON A UDGET

✽ Don’t bother with a double hammock

– or if you do, keep it to yourself! One person in a hammock is snoozy bliss – two is just too close for a comfortable doze for either of you.

✽ The most comfortable way to lie in a

hammock is against the curve – so, if the hammock is lying north-south, you lie on an east-west diagonal. This creates a wider area to lie on, stops you from getting wrapped inside a hammock cocoon and – importantly – means you’re far less likely to fall out!

✽ Insulate your bottom. In a hammock,

your bottom tends to swing closer to the ground than the rest of you. To stop it from getting cold, simply put a blanket on the ground underneath you.

REAT IDEA!

Reader Sandra Power sent us a photo of her amazing fake grass bed made by her daughter’s artner Scott.

SEASIDE DREAMS Make your own beachy retreat in an existing pergola with a strong cotton sheet. Simply knot the corners, use rope to attach to each corner of the structure, and scatter soft, Caribbean-white sand underneath.

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MODERN GARDENS

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facing, or side-on to, the entrance to your siesta space and have something solid behind you, like a wall or a large potted plant.

SOOTHING SECLUSION

Nap spot chosen, it’s time to turn that area of your garden into a secluded slumber zone.

Position it next to a wall or fence to help make the space feel private. Or, in a more open area, install an attractive screen or an upright section of trellis to zone your siesta spot.

Additionally, you could create a natural

BEST BUYS screen by planting an airy hedge of tall umbrella bamboos, or filling a line of pots with this pollution-filtering plant. And why not increase the height of your shadow-throwing greenery with a collection of small trees in containers – evergreen bays and Japanese maples will both work well.

To repurpose an existing pergola, you could fit a curtain rail to one of the horizontal beams and add gauzy, floor-length curtains in a lightweight material that will dry quickly after summer showers. ➣

THAT’S CLEVER!

5 super siesta accessories 1 AcousticSheep SleepPhones, £39.99

amazon.co.uk 2 Glenwood Handwoven Throw, £15.99 wayfair.co.uk 3 Lavender eye mask, £19.95 notonthehighstreet.com 4 Jangala velvet cushion, £29 made.com 5 Geisha Parasol in Lime, £129.99 dobies.co.uk

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M O D E R N G A R D E N S 103

Sleep-inducing spaces are calm and uncluttered – and that’s just as true in the garden as indoors. So, rather than focusing on eye-catching pops of colour, aim for plants that are restful on the eye. A green-on-green palette that emphasizes rippling foliage and soft textures will help to lull you off to sleep, as will plants that flower in cool colours, like blue and purple. For texture try lamb’s ear, with its thick, woolly leaves, oriental fountain grass, with its gently waving, fuzzy flower plumes or the silvery, soft foliage of downy phylica. For colour, hebe ‘Wingeltye’ has hazy, pale mauve flowers, the trailing lobelia ‘Cambridge Blue’ is a wash of sky-blue petals in the summer, and clustered bellflowers are a violet-delight, all summer long.

Keep the colours of your bedding or blankets in these softer tones, too and think about adding cosy touches to your nap-space such as a soft sheepskin, velvety outdoor rug or flowerprint cushions. If you find the sound of babbling brooks or flowing streams soothing, a water feature nestled among the foliage may help you to nod off, or you could hang up some gently ringing windchimes.

Easy care

And ELAX! ✽ Balancing pebbles as a

form of meditation dates back centuries, and a simple stack will bring an air of calm to your sleep space.

✽ Make your own

windchime using stones or driftwood for a softer, more gentle sound than shop-bought versions.

SIESTA STATEMENT Adding a stylish day bed brings an air of relaxation to the whole garden. This is made of rustproof aluminium and weatherproof wicker so you can leave it outside year-round. Kettler Pod, £699 johnlewis.com SPACE-SAVING SOLUTION In a small garden, a deeper-than-normal outdoor sofa doubles up as a comfy daybed. Bespoke Sustainable Oak Garden Bench/Daybed, £1990 makersbespoke furniture.com 104

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BEST BUYS

g n ti is x e n a to s in ta TIP Adding cur a s te a e r c y tl n ta s in e r garden structu ce a p s p e e l s r o o td u o d e seclud

Plants that help you sleep soundly ROSE ‘COMPASSION’

The scent of roses calms the central nervous system and reduces anxiety.

Compassion is a climbing rose that flowers from July to September. Height 4.5m. £24.50 davidaustinroses.co.uk

LAVENDER ‘LITTLE LADY’

Lavender has a scent that’s proven to improve the quality and duration of our sleep. This is a particularly sweet-smelling variety and is loved by butterflies. Height 35cm. £2.50/9cm pot thelavenderg.co.uk FOUR-POSTER BED Draw the curtains and you’ll be in your own private chill-out zone. This Havana Hanging Bed has a suspended cushioned bed on a sturdy aluminium frame. £1999.99 therange.co.uk GARDEN RETREAT A snug doubles as a sitting area, but is enclosed enough to help you nod off happily.

Handcrafted Alfresco Snug from £2916 woodscott.co.uk

BAMBOO ‘FIREPOWER’

This dwarf bamboo’s leaves grow in loose layers so they rustle gently against one another, turning this shrub into a natural white noise machine. Height 50cm. £14.99 rhsplants.co.uk

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M O D E R N G A R D E N S 105

Create an

OUTDOOR DINING ROOM

F E ATU R E: R AC HE L O G DE N . PH OTOS : G A P

This summer’s biggest trend is for a stylish GARDEN STRUCTURE that designates a space for AL FRESCO FEASTS

DEFINE A PATIO SPACE Adding pillars and beams to the side of the house is an easy way to turn your patio into a separate dining space. A chandelier-esque decoration made from a wooden hoop and ribbon is all it needs to look fabulous! Croft Collection Burford Garden Dining Table in Acacia Wood, £499, and bench, £220 johnlewis.com 106

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PROJECTS

A

dding a new room to your home used to mean building an extension, but the very latest home trend is all about creating one in your garden instead.

Erecting a cube-shaped structure to define a dining area is big news in garden designs right now. From premade dining pergolas to metal shells with retractable canopies and do-ityourself wooden frames, there are lots of ways to make a dining ‘room’ in your outside space, so it’ll be easy to find an idea that suits your garden.

Essentially a ‘skeleton’ of a room, you can choose to add a wall or two, or a roof to the frame, to make the space feel as enclosed or as airy as you like.

With a rug underfoot, pendant lighting and planting for a cocooned feel, a defined dining area is a smart, stylish addition to a modern garden.

You can find an increasing number of ‘indoor’ dining products designed for outdoor use, so you can personalise your space and make it unique. And decorating an outdoor ‘room’ is just as much fun as an indoor one! Style it up with a nod to your interior decor, using some of the same materials and colours you have indoors, and it will blur the boundary between your inside and outside spaces.

AL FRESCO FOCUS

Just as a quick bite on the run feels very unlike a sit-down meal, dining outdoors in a dedicated space is a wholly different experience to eating indoors. And more of us are choosing to eat even our everyday meals outside. ➣

d e t n e c s a t e l , so e t i t e p p a e h t t n e e t c a s l u a l l m i i t n s a s v l l ’s e ne i v e t a l o c o h TIP Sweet sm C . ure t c u k r u t . s o c r . s u e o i y r e p s r u u p n ns o s k c a j , t o climber rom p L 2 99/ .

9 £ ! s u o i c i l e is d

Choose your frame Cheap & easy

PH OTO : SA N DT E X

QUICK AND SMART Turn an old gazebo or awning frame into a temporary dining ‘room’ with a swathe of material over the top.

“Dining outdoors feels more relaxed and is an opportunity to escape from indoor distractions such as TV screens. It also allows us to reconnect with nature,” explains Robert Bridgman, commercial director at Bridgman Garden Furniture. And of course, having a dedicated eating area is ideal for entertaining friends on a weekend as well as midweek meals.

Quick to do

PLANNING YOUR ROOM

Without walls and doors to dictate what goes where, you can have fun with the format of your outdoor dining room. Start by thinking about how your space will be used – would you like a more formal table and chairs, or a mix of furniture that reflects a lounge-diner setup such as side tables, floor cushions and a drinks trolley or bar area? Consider how many people you’ll be feeding, too, as that will dictate the size the ‘room’ needs to be. A table for four will range from 90–120cm long, for six 150–180cm, while one for eight can measure up to 230cm, so factor in how much area will be required, with space for chairs to be pulled out. You’ll also need a solid, free-draining level base, such as an area of patio, paving or decking.

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UNDER COVER A square of sailcloth and cheery bunting creates a separate space for dining on a large area of decking.

PROJECTS Great value

SHAPE YOUR ROOM A simple metal structure is easy to erect and cost effective. Try the Glendale Seville Gazebo at £329.95 from gardenoasis.co.uk Paint existing chairs and tables in complementary colours to create the sense of a room – this furniture is painted in Sandtex Rapid Dry Gloss in Oxford Blue and Smokey Grey, from £17.99/750ml sandtex.co.uk

BRIGHT IDEA!

Hang pots of herbs on the frame and pick leaves directly onto your plate.

INTERIOR INSPIRED

➣ SEPTEMBER 2019

M O D E R N G A R D E N S 109

shade. Or for a deeper shade, adding curtains or a canvas cover is a cheap solution.

MAKE IT GORGEOUS

Lighting your outdoor space well is worth the expense, as it’ll mean you’ll be able to use your dining ‘room’ long into the autumn, as well as late into the night on warm summer evenings.

A layered lighting scheme that brings extra drama is best. “It’s important to light at three levels: overhead, table and ground,” explains Jo Naughton, co-founder of lights4fun.co.uk.

“Swagging festoons or fairy lights will create a bespoke canopy and complement climbing plants overhead. Lanterns at ground level add to the ambience and look good in the day even when they’re not lit, while candles on the table complete the look. Hanging solar lanterns are trending right now, and are perfect for an outdoor dining area.”

Create your room CLEVER!

So pretty GROW A NATURAL CANOPY Upgrade an existing pergola with climbing plants to enclose the structure and turn it into more of a ‘room’, with the leaves filtering the sunlight into dappled shade. Wisteria will give you a gorgeous display of dangling flowers, or try a fast-growing grape vine so you can pick fresh fruit to go with your cheeseboard: ‘Crimson Seedless’ grape vine, £19.99/2L pot primrose.co.uk ADD A PANELLED ROOF Adding a shady roof to the dining area means that you’ll be prepared for even the warmest Indian summer. Using patterned panels creates gentle, dappled shade and fabulous patterns – choose a light-hued table or use a white tablecloth to show them off. Wooden panels or bamboo screening will also add extra privacy.

BUILD A WALL Enclosing one side of your dining structure makes it feel much more like a room. Montilla Steel Six Seater Rectangular Garden Furniture Set, £411.75, homebase.co.uk

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Super stylish

Add dappled shade

PH OTO : RI C H AR D L E WI SO H N . PROJ EC T BY 2 3 + G S / 3 18 ’ A N D PE TE R M I KI C I N T E RI O RS

Next, consider the location. The dining area shouldn’t be too far from the house, so it’s quick to pop back inside and carry food out. It’ll need to be close to your barbecue and, if you have one, your outdoor kitchen, too. Also, think about the view you and your friends will have of the garden while you’re enjoying your meal.

Ideally, choose a sheltered spot, or consider adding a screen to shield you from breezes. This is important for a dining area as a cool wind will chill food, fast. Most people prefer to eat in the shade so think about where the sun will be in the evening when you use the ‘room’ most.

“If it gets the evening sun, consider how you can add shade,” suggests Alasdair Cameron, MD at Cameron Gardens. “This could be provided by a shrub, tree or climbers, as well as adding a metal or material roof or panel.”

Trellis can be attached to the frame for climbing plants to romp up and give dappled

O N O SA CT LE O SE BER PT IS EM SU BE E R 25

In next month’s issue...

eovers k a m n e d r a g r e d a e r Gorgeous ut o e id s in e th e k ta t a th

P H OTOS : G A P

NEW TREND!

Easy hellebores for r instant autumn colou

Re-vamp your decking in a weekend

de ns r a g ll a m s r fo s e e tr Big

PLUS, TRANSFORM YOUR GARDEN FOR BONFIRE-NIGHT FUN, ZONE YOUR OUTDOOR SPACE WITH GRASSES, ADD STYLE WITH A MODERN ARCH, AND MUCH MORE.

Done in a

WEEKEND

FINISHING TOUCH Top the wall with rectangular coping of a similar tone.

1

Create a modern

STONE WALL F E AT U R E: C L AR E H OWC UT T- K E L LY P HOTO : B RADS TO N E

It’s easy to transform an unsightly brick wall with ON-TREND CLADDING

Y

ou might think that you need to call in the professionals to transform a wall from drab to fab, but you’d be wrong.

Walling slips allow you to cover an old wall with stone-look ‘tiles’. It’s a job you can do yourself, in a weekend, and it can change the feel of your whole garden.

Walling slips come in a wide range of colours and designs to tie in with your existing garden scheme, whether that’s modern cottage or slick monochrome.

Walling slips are a great way to quickly transform your outside space and Bradstone offer five shades to suit any design scheme. The 112 M O D E R N G A R D E N S S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 9

finished result is so good that unless visitors to your garden inspect the wall closely, they will presume it’s the real deal.

Measure your wall carefully to ensure you buy the right amount of slips. Allow 10% for wastage and in case there are any breakages while you tackle the project.

To show off your new wall to maximum advantage, take a step back and consider the area around it. Giving a nearby fence a coat of paint in a similar colour is an easy way to tie your new-look wall into the garden. Why not treat yourself to a few new pots and planters in a similar shade, too?

Day 1

TILING THE WALL

Put on some old clothes and set aside the whole of Saturday to get stuck into this job.

You’ll need to get yourself some gloves to protect your hands.

YOU WILL NEED ✽ Stiff scrubbing brush ✽ Tape measure ✽ Bradbond Walling Adhesive, £49.99/17kg simplypaving.com ✽ Notched trowel

EASY IDEAS

3

COLOUR MATCH A fence painted in a complementary colour ties the look together. Try Cuprinol Garden Shades in Seasoned Oak, £16/2.5L diy.com

Day 2

ADDING THE WALL TOPPER

The hard work is done and it’s time to add the finishing touch. Before the evening ends, you’ll have the chance to sit down, relax and enjoy the results.

ENANC Stone chipp ngs give this area a modern look and require very little aftercare as long as landscaping fabric is pegged under it to stop weeds from growing through.

YOU WILL NEED ✽ Blue Hawk Quick Set Ready Mixed Cement, £8.10/5kg homebase.co.uk ✽ Notched trowel ✽ Bradstone Mode Profiled Coping in Dark Grey, £109.36/pack simplypaving.com ✽ Rubber mallet ✽ Spirit level

2

m o r f s e l i t l l a w the t n e v e r p o T p P u TI m o t t o b e h t m o r f k r o w , g n i slipp ✽ Bradstone Natural Sandstone Silver Grey

Walling Slips, £70.19/pack simplypaving.com ✽ Rubber mallet ✽ Spirit level ✽ Plastic packers, £6.54 toolstation.com WHAT TO DO 1 Give the wall a thorough scrub and remove any debris using the scrubbing brush.

2 To work out how many metres squared you need to cover and how many walling slips you need, multiply the length by height, then add on 10% for wastage. Our costs are based on a wall 8m in length by 1m high (8 x 1): 8m2.

3 Mix up the adhesive according to the instructions on the tub. Use the notched trowel to apply a layer of adhesive to the wall. Lay the

first section of walling slips starting at a corner of the wall. Allow the interlocking section to overhang the corner and knock into place using the rubber mallet. Repeat on the other corner making sure the Z connection interlocks to create a perfect corner. Now connect the other sections to make your first layer.

4 Keep checking that the walling slips are level.

If necessary, add plastic packers in place until the adhesive has set.

5 If you need to cut some of the lengths to fit your space, measure the area you need to put the panel into. Then mark the panel and cut using a grinder. Try Grinder Ozito 850W 115mm Angle Grinder (£26, homebase.co.uk).

6 Repeat the steps above until all the sides of your wall are covered with walling slips. Leave to set overnight.

WHAT TO DO 1 Remove any plastic packers you have used to keep the walling slips in place. Mix the cement following the instructions on the tub.

2 Put a generous amount of cement on the top of the wall and smooth into an even layer using a trowel. Place the coping slabs on top and hammer in place using the rubber mallet. Check the slabs are level using a spirit level and tap with the mallet to adjust if necessary.

3 Repeat this process until you have created your wall topper. In some places you may need to cut the slabs to fit using a grinder.

4 Leave to dry, and it’s time to sit back on your sunlounger and relax.

WHAT IT COST ✽ Bradbond Walling Adhesive x 2 £99.98 ✽ Bradstone Natural Sandstone Silver Grey Walling Slips x 15 packs £1,052.85 ✽ Plastic packers £6.54 ✽ Blue Hawk Quick Set Ready Cement £8.10 ✽ Bradstone Mode Profiled Coping in Dark Grey x 5 packs £546.80 TOTAL: £1,714.27 for an 8m2 wall

SEPTEMBER 2019

M O D E R N G A R D E N S 113

Q&A

GOT A QUESTION? We’ve got the answer,

whether it’s about a plant, a tricky spot or a product you need CAN YOU RECOMMEND a shrub that smells lovely in winter, is brightly coloured, and will be OK in a shady spot?

Catrina Timpson, Hants.

F E ATU R E: G EO F F H O DG E. PH OTOS : V I S IO N , S H U TTE R STO CK , F LOWE R CO U N C I L O F H O L L A N D

Q

Most winter-flowering shrubs produce a delicious, strong scent to entice the few pollinating insects that are around to visit from a long way away. You can’t beat the handsome, stately growth of a mahonia such as ‘Charity’, Height 2.4m Spread 1.8m.

It’s brilliant for a shady spot.

Autumn is the perfect time to plant one, and you should find one in your local garden centre, or try crocus.co.uk £17.99/3L pot.

There’s still lots of time to enjoy and cut your dahlia flowers well into autumn I PLANTED SOME DAHLIAS for the first time this year and they’ve been amazing, but I don’t have a clue what to do with them now. What do you suggest?

Angie Fraser, Edinburgh

Q

Enjoy the spectacle of colour for now! Wait until the first severe autumn frost turns the leaves black, then cut the stem at ground level, dig up the tuber (the underground stem), shake off any soil, then store it in a shed or garage for the winter. You can plant them outside again in late May/early June.

I WANT SOME NEW terracotta pots for my patio, but I’m worried they will crack in winter.

What do you suggest?

Karen Rodgers, Yorkshire

Q

Q

I’VE BOUGHT WINTER-FLOWERING pansies but mine start flowering in spring. What’s going wrong?

Mary Carruthers, London

You’ve probably been leaving it a bit late when planting them in your garden. The plants have to develop and produce flower buds before the temperatures drop too much in autumn. Small plants, or those that are planted out once the weather’s a bit chilly, don’t have enough time to grow and produce the buds. Get them potted up this month.

Good quality terracotta pots that have been fired ectly can easily stand freezing ditions – look out for a to 15-year guarantee on tag. Ensuring that you d moisture building up nd around the pot will p to avoid pots cracking, Always use a freening potting compost stand pots on pot feet these, £2.99, rosegarden.com) to vent them sitting in water r winter. Your plants will reciate this too.

YOUR GARDENS HOW CAN I keep my new lawn looking good in autumn?

Sophie Hodge, Yorkshire

Q

Providing it’s been laid for at least two months, it’s a good idea to feed it. Use an autumn lawn

fertiliser such as EverGreen Autumn Lawn Care (£9, homebase.co.uk), which will green it up and prepare the grass for cold and wet winter weather.

Mow it with the blades set high whenever you need to and if the grass isn’t wet or frozen.

‘Samaritan Jo’ der

Q

MY CLEMATIS HAS GROWN like crazy this year. Can I cut it back now?

Tracey Andrews, Essex The best time to prune large-flowered, summer-flowering clematis is in late-winter or early spring. But if yours has gone berserk and is growing where you don’t want it to, give it a quick chop now to tidy it up and remove any wayward and straying stems. Leave any spring-flowering clematis such as montanas and alpinas, though, or you’ll cut off next year’s flower buds! Prune these straight after they’ve finished flowering in spring.

etunias Q

MY SUMMER POTS LOOK BEAUTIFUL. How do I keep everything flowering for as long as possible?

Abi Stevens, Herefordshire Most summer bedding plants flower well into autumn. It’s only when temperatures regularly drop to just above freezing that flowering stops and it’s time to think about replacing them. To get the maximum amount of flowers until then, water the containers just enough to prevent them drying out. Stick your finger into the compost and if it still feels moist, don’t water. You’ll need to water less than you did over the last few months, as the plants won’t be growing as much. Feed weekly with a high potash liquid fertiliser (try Flower Power Premium Plant Food, £9.99/475g, richardjacksonsgarden.co.uk) and chop off faded flowers, along with their stems, as soon as they look past their best.

HOW CAN I CLEAR the gutters on my conservatory of leaves and other gunk?

Bridget Thompson, Berkshire

Q

There’s a great new Gutter Cleaner in the Wolf-Garten multi-change cleaning range. It features a leaf

scoop and a gutter brush, both with an adjustable working angle to help you easily clean gutters. Pair it with a multi-change handle, including a telescopic one that allows you to reach gutters from the safety of the ground, and you won’t even need a ladder! £44.99 (plus multi-change handle) wolfgarten-tools.co.uk

CONTACT www.moderngardensmagazine.co.uk Want some design inspiration or got a garden question you’d like answered? Get in touch, including a picture if you have one, by email at moderngardens@bauermedia.co.uk SEPTEMBER 2019

M O D E R N G A R D E N S 115

Growing, making, upcycling or SIMPLY ENJOYING. We love to see what you’re up to in your gardens

That’s cl * FO R FU L L TE RM S A N D CO N D I T I ON S, V I S I T WW W. B AU E RL EG A L .CO.UK / CO M PE T I T I O N-T E R M S.HT M L

Scaffold bed

This is the small raised bed I built out of some old wooden scaffold boards that had been in the back of my garage for years. I’m currently growing our family favourite sweetcorn in it.

Andrew Massing, Cambridgeshire

WE TURNED OUR GARDEN AROUND

After suffering from the dreaded box blight last summer, we had to dig up many metres of box hedging, and had to throw out the topiary we’d lovingly grown over many years! Turning a negative into a positive, it provided us with the opportunity to redesign our garden, making it more practical and slightly less work to maintain. Old box hedges were replaced with euonymus, and we removed a pergola, making the garden lighter and more open.

The addition of lots more roses and pink, blue, white and purple flowers creates a calm and pretty space to relax in.

Sue and David Taylor, Surrey.

YOUR PRIZE!

I am really proud of my garden. What was an area of crazy paving and several sheds is now an oasis.

Sanchia Gallifent, Hants

✽ Congratulations

to Sue and David for sending us the best idea of the month.

She receives a solarpowered lantern, worth £29.99, complete with realistic flickering candle with a warm amber glow. At 44cm tall, it’s perfect for the patio. For a chance of winning next month, share your clever ideas with us at moderngardens@ bauermedia.co.uk

Calm oasis

WIN! Enjoying my homemade garden gin bar!

Jessica Davis, Devon

116 M O D E R N G A R D E N S S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 9

YOUR GARDENS

Our ten-year-old deck looked a little weather-worn, so we decided to paint it using Cuprinol Country Cream.

Quite a change, but we’re pleased with the result.

Colin Ashman, Caerphilly Our painted bench was inspired by Mod ern Gardens. Cilla and Cenz Marseglia, Ca

Perfect scents

mbs

Freshly picked sweet peas and lavender in a favourite jug, collected on my travels. I try to pick them every day to encourage new flowers to develop. And the scent is gorgeous!

Caroline Glynne-Jones, Leicestershire

My haven

My small garden is my haven. I love how it changes through the seasons. On long summer evenings I sit out in my summerhouse with a cup of tea, surrounded by the smell of the jasmine and lilies, and relax.

Rhia Whitnell, West Berkshire

Calm corner

This is the part of my garden I enjoy changing around. It’s easy on the eyes and calming in any weather.

Pamela Davey, East Sussex

GET IN TOUCH

Ways to share your modern gardens ideas and projects with us...

Facebook Modern Gardens Magazine Twitter @Modern_Gardens Instagram @ModernGardens

SEPTEMBER 2019

M O D E R N G A R D E N S 117

PAK CHOI FRESH NUTTY flavour and flamboyant leaves make this a glorious addition to even the smallest garden

P

ak choi is quick and easy to grow and will thrive anywhere, including in a container if you don’t have room in your garden.

The shapely leaves look fabulous planted in among flowers.

It can be grown as a cut and come again vegetable, or left to develop into a mature plant and act as a garden focal point.

Over recent years it has become increasingly popular, partly because it is a powerhouse of nutrients. Packed with vitamins C, A and K, it’s also an excellent source of calcium, magnesium, potassium, and iron.

Also known as bok choy, it is a type of Chinese cabbage and can be stir-fried, steamed, baked and added to soups or risotto.

To prep it, roughly chop the leaves and stalks.

You’ll get the most health benefits by cooking it lightly. To stir fry, heat a little oil in a wok and cook over a high heat for a couple of minutes, turning frequently. To steam, simply place in a vegetable steamer for a couple of minutes.

The young tender leaves work well in salads, particularly the yellow and red-leaved varieties

F E AT U R E: SAR AH W IL SO N . P H OTOS : S TO C K F O O D, G A P, B AU E R AU S T R AL I A , S H U TTE R S TO C K

PLANT IT! ✽ If growing pak choi in the garden, choose a sunny spot. Add a general fertiliser (£7.99, gardenersdream.co.uk) to the soil a few weeks before you plant the seedlings, raking it in well as pak choi thrives best in fertile soil.

Be careful not to plant them too close together – 20cm apart is ideal. ✽ For a tasty mix, try the Pak Choi Continuity Duo Pack (£6.99/22 plug plants, suttons.co.uk). It contains Hanakan, which has smooth, round leaves and pure white stalks, and the eye-catching Rubi, which has purple-red leaves and bright-green stems.

118 M O D E R N G A R D E N S S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 9

such as ‘Golden Yellow Pak Choi’ and ‘Red Choi’.

At its most delicious raw, it works well sliced into a mix of crunchy sugar snap peas, avocado, cucumber, and edamame beans with a sesame oil dressing. The best flavour pairings include garlic, ginger, chilli and lemon juice, plus oriental twists such as miso, lemongrass and soy sauce.

It works particularly well in Asian dishes that are brimming with fresh taste, packing a punch in the lighter recipes that are welcome at this time of year.

Add to spicy stir-fries or Asian-inspired broths together with vegetables, pork, fish or noodles.

Lightly steam and use as a base to serve teriyaki salmon or wilt the leaves in the liquid when poaching fish in coconut milk for a fragrant Thai-style curry.

You can eat the whole plant including the crunchy white heart. The leaves should be perky and dark green, and the stalks plump, white and firm to the touch. Once picked, it can be stored in the fridge for up to a week. If the leaves have gone limp, this means they are probably past their best.

YOUR GARDEN LARDER

GROW AND EAT

e r u t x e t d n a r u a vo fl t s e b e h t t e g l ’l u only k c TIP Yo i p o t t s e b ’s t i h, so s e r f s i i o h c k a p whe n ish. d h c a e r o f d e e n what y ou

HOW TO GROW IT IN A POT Growing pak choi in a container is super easy. Buy young plants from a garden centre or grow them from seed in season.

YOU WILL NEED ✽ Two or three large pots (20cm across and at least 20cm deep) ✽ Multi-purpose compost ✽ Pak choi seedling plants WHAT TO DO 1 Fill the pots with compost and add the seedlings, 5cm apart.

2 Water well and make sure the compost stays moist.

3 You will be able to start enjoying the young leaves approximately a month after planting.

➣ SEPTEMBER 2019

M O D E R N G A R D E N S 119

ak p e h t f o s e v ea l r e t u o e h t er n n i r TIP Cook e d n e t e h t e v a s d n a d choi a l a s n i w a r l ea ves to eat

MAKE IT!

PAK CHOI WITH SWEET STICKY PORK INGREDIENTS ✽ 500g pork belly, cubed ✽ 2 tbsp honey ✽ 2 tbsp soy sauce ✽ 2 tbsp plum sauce ✽ 2 tbsp hoisin sauce ✽ 2 tbsp peanut oil ✽ 2 cloves garlic, crushed ✽ 2 tsp fresh ginger, grated ✽ red chilli, finely chopped ✽ 2 whole star anise ✽ 4 pak choi, stalks sliced ✽ 4 spring onions, sliced ✽ Steamed rice, to serve Serves 4

WHAT TO DO 1 Put the pork pieces in a large saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring to the boil then reduce the heat and simmer for a couple of minutes. Drain the pork and reserve.

2 Combine the honey, soy sauce, plum sauce, hoisin sauce, peanut oil, garlic, ginger, chilli and star anise in a pan and stir together. Bring to the boil and keep stirring on a high heat for a couple of minutes, then reduce to a simmer.

3 Add the pork and continue to simmer gently for an hour until tender. Increase the heat and stir until the sauce becomes thick and syrup-like.

4 Add the pak choi to the pan 10 minutes before the end of cooking time. Serve the pork and pak choi with a scattering of spring onions and plenty of steamed rice.

GROW AND EAT STEAM IT!

WARM PAK CHOI WITH PROSCIUTTO INGREDIENTS ✽ 100g fresh root ginger, peeled and finely chopped ✽ 2 red chillies, finely chopped ✽ 3 tbsp balsamic vinegar ✽ 9 tbsp olive oil ✽ 4 pak choi, stalks and leaves ✽ 4 slices prosciutto ham, roughly shredded ✽ 2 oranges, sliced ✽ Salt and freshly ground black pepper ✽ 4 tbsp chives, chopped ✽ Handful micro salad leaves, to scatter ✽ Chive flowers, to garnish (optional) Serves 4

WHAT TO DO 1 Make the dressing by mixing the ginger, chillies, balsamic vinegar and olive oil together in a screw top jar and shaking vigorously.

2 Gently separate the leaves from the stalks of the pak choi, then slice the stalks. Place the stalks into a steamer and steam for a couple of minutes or until tender, then add the leaves and wilt for a few more minutes.

3 Divide the pak choi between four warmed plates, then layer up with the prosciutto and orange slices. Drizzle over the dressing, season, then scatter over the chives and micro leaves, plus the chive flowers if using.

TIP To store, keep it

in the fridge and use within five d ays of picking STIR-FRY IT!

SALMON, ASPARAGUS AND PAK CHOI SALAD

l a r u t a n a s i p u r y s e v a g lth a e h l TIP A a c o l r ou y t a t i d n i F s t e k r a m r sweetener. e p e su m o s r o e r o t food s

INGREDIENTS ✽ 2 tbsp fresh coriander, chopped ✽ 1 tsp fresh ginger, finely grated ✽ 1 tbsp tamari ✽ 1 tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice ✽ 2 tsp agave syrup ✽ Olive oil ✽ 4 salmon fillets, skin removed ✽ 12 spears of asparagus, trimmed and cut into 5cm lengths ✽ 4 pak choi, leaves only ✽ 1/4 small red cabbage, finely shredded ✽ Handful micro leaves, to serve Serves 4

WHAT TO DO 1 Combine the coriander, ginger, tamari, lime juice and agave syrup in a small bowl, then reserve.

2 Heat a little oil in a wok, and fry the salmon fillets until cooked through. Separate into chunks using a wooden spatula, then reserve.

3 Add a little more oil to the wok. Stir-fry the asparagus for two minutes over a high heat. Add the pak choi and red cabbage, and continue to stir-fry for a further two or three minutes until tender.

4 Return the salmon to the wok together with the dressing and toss until well combined and heated through. Divide between four plates and sprinkle with the micro leaves to serve.

SEPTEMBER 2019

M O D E R N G A R D E N S 121

ENJOY COLOUR-CHANGING

BLOOMS

Transform your patio with pots of Rembrandt® hydrangeas for a long-lasting display of BIG AND BOLD flowers

Save up to

B A S K E TS N OT IN C LU D ED

£60!

SNIP OFF HYDRANGEA flowers after the last frosts in April to keep the plant neat and tidy and for fresh blooms in June.

Emma, editor Modern Gardens

122 M O D E R N G A R D E N S S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 9

E

very three weeks, the flowers of Hydrangea macrophylla Rembrandt® Series change in colour to provide a myriad of interesting tones. In bloom from May until September, the floriferous, durable flower heads grow atop anti-snap, sturdy stems. ‘Vibrant Verde’ (below) opens green in summer then slowly turns pink in the centres. These compact plants are happy in sun or shade, so they’re perfect for pots on your patio. Height 100cm Spread 70cm.

Buy a mixed collection of hydrangeas (supplied in 10.5cm pots in 14 days) and save up to £32, plus get 100 FREE fragrant double freesia bulbs, worth £15. Plant the bulbs now for a dazzling display of colourful flowers next spring and summer.

READER OFFER

Hydrangea ‘Rosso Glory’

HOW TO ORDER ✽ ONLINE www.hayloft.co.uk/ ROMG

✽ CALL 01386 426 245, quoting cod ROMG19-35

✽ POST Fill in the form, cut it out and post it to the address below with your payment by cheque or card.

Code

‘Rosso Glory’ flowers are green when they open, then they gradually turn red.

Hydrangea ‘Elegant Rosa’

Description

Price

PHV1

Hydrangea Rembrandt® ‘Vibrant Verde’ x 1

£12

PHG1

Hydrangea Rembrandt® ‘Rosso Glory’ x 1

£12

PHR1

Hydrangea Rembrandt® ‘Elegant Rosa’ x 1

£12

PHC1

Hydrangea Rembrandt® ‘Dolce Chic’ x 1

£12

PHM4

Hydrangea ‘Rembrandt® Mix’ x 4 (1 of each) SAVE £28

£20

PHM8

Hydrangea ‘Rembrandt® Mix’ x 8 (2 of each) SAVE £60

£36

P&P (per order)

£4.95

Buy any hydrangea collection and get 100 FREE freesia bulbs, worth £15*.

Qty

Total

1

£4.95

Total

£

ORDER FORM

Please fill in and send (with your payment) to: Modern Gardens Reader Offer, PO BOX 2020, Pershore, WR10 9BP. ‘Elegant Rosa’ blooms start off a soft shade of lime green before turning pale pink and finally dusky pink.

Title ............................................................. Initial ...............................

Surname ................................................................................................

Address .................................................................................................

Hydrangea ‘Dolce Chic’

................................................................................................................... ........................................ Postcode .....................................................

Email .......................................................Tel..........................................

Payment details I enclose a cheque for £.............................. made payable to Hayloft with my name and address on the back.

Or debit my Visa ■ Mastercard ■ Card Number..................../..................../..................../....................

Start Date................/................ Expiry Date................/................

Security code......................................................................................

Signature .............................................................................................

Pale yellow buds open to reveal heart-shaped flowers, which change to a bright pink over time.

T&CS: All plants will be despatched in 14 days unless stated otherwise. Online orders will receive an order acknowledgement via email with approximate delivery date. All items are subject to availability. *We reserve the right to send suitable substitutes of equal value for free items. Offer available to UK addresses only.

Reader offers cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotions or discounts. Please tick here if you prefer not to receive offers from any company other than Hayloft [ ]. Offer closes 26 September 2019.

SEPTEMBER 2019

M O D E R N G A R D E N S 123

PRETTY PLANTS FOR ALL

F

SEASONS

Each of these plants blooms at different times of year, making sure your garden is BLOOMING LOVELY all year-round

P OT N OT I N CLU DE D

SAVE £6.99*

GET MORE FLOWERS by feeding your plants with Incredibloom. Simply mix into the compost when you plant up your pots.

Emma, editor Modern Gardens

1 24 M O D E R N G A R D E N S S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 9

or mellow yellow flowers, clematis ‘Little Lemons’ (below) is the perfect choice for patio pots, baskets and window boxes. The short, 45cm-long stems are cloaked in delicately cut, bright green foliage and a host of nodding, lemonyellow blooms from May to September. As the flowers fade, they are replaced by fluffy seed heads, providing a lovely textural display for several more weeks. Easy to grow and care for, simply cut the stems back to a few inches above ground level in late February/ March. Buy your 7cm potted clematis now for £12.99 each (usually £14.99) or get 2 for £22.99, saving £6.99. Plus, save on hyacinth and tulip bulbs and stocks. All of these plants will look stunning in a dark grey Sabina pot – buy 3 now and save £9.98.

ReadeR OffeR

Hyacinth ‘Berries and Cream Mix’ SAVE up to £7.97*

Tulip ‘Fire Wings’ This vibrant spring tulip produces pointed, winged petals that open out in a vibrant clash of red and yellow in April and May. Easy to grow, standing up to the worst of weathers, it will return year after year whether planted in beds or pots.

Height 60cm and spread 10cm. Buy 16 tulip bulbs now for £9.99 or 32 bulbs for £17.99, saving £1.99.

Make your spring display stand out from the crowd with this spectacular mix of rose, violet, pink and pale lavender flowers (March-April). It’s perfect for filling beds and pots with a riot of spring blooms and that heady, hyacinth fragrance. Height 25cm spread 8cm.

Buy 8 bulbs for £6.99, 16 bulbs for £12.99, saving 99p, or 32 bulbs for £19.99, saving £7.97.

SAVE up to £1.99*

HOW TO ORDER ✽ online thompson-morgan.com/ TM_MGR17

✽ Call 0844 573 1686, quoting

buy three 32cm sabina patio planters and saVe £9.98.

tm_mGr17. Calls cost 7p per minute plus your providers access charge.

✽ by post Fill in the form, cut it out and post it to the below address.

Code

description

price

KA8501

1 x clematis plant

£12.99

KA9514

2 x clematis plants

£22.99

45528

8 hyacinth bulbs

£6.99

T45529P

16 hyacinth bulbs

£12.99

T45530BP 32 hyacinth bulbs

£19.99

64737

16 tulip bulbs

£9.99

T64753P

32 tulip bulbs

£17.99

KB1696

15 stocks garden ready plants

£9.99

62664

30 stocks garden ready plants

£14.99

47551

1 x 100g pack of incredibloom

£4.99

47552

1 x 750g pack of incredibloom

£9.99

KA9944

1 x sabina planter

£7.99

KB0967

3 x sabina planters

£13.99

p&p (per order)

£4.95

Qty

total

1

£4.95

total

£

order form

Please fill in and send (with your payment) to: Modern Gardens, Dept TM_MGR17, PO Box 162, Ipswich, IP8 3BX Title ............................................................. Initial ...............................

Surname ................................................................................................

Stock ‘Autumn Perfume Mixed’ SAVE £4.99*

These garden-ready plants will fill your autumn beds with long-lasting colour and fragrance from September to November.

Packed with a range of vibrant shades with an addictive spicy perfume, this mix is perfect for a neglected, shady spot.

Height 30cm spread 20cm. Buy 15 plants now for £9.99 or 30 for £14.99, saving £4.99.

Address ................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................... ......................................... Postcode .....................................................

Email .......................................................Tel.......................................... payment details I enclose a cheque for £.............................. made payable to t&m with my name and address on the back.

Or debit my Visa ■ Mastercard ■ Card Number..................../..................../..................../....................

Start Date................/................ Expiry Date................/................

Security code................. Signature ...............................................

T&Cs: Items despatched from September 2019 onwards. All orders will be acknowledged with a despatch date in writing, by letter or email. If in the event of unprecedented demand this offer is oversubscribed, we reserve the right to send suitable substitute varieties. Your contract for supply of goods is with Thompson & Morgan, Poplar Lane, Ipswich, IP8 3BU. T&Cs available upon request. All offers are subject to availability. *Savings are based on the equivalent of multiples of the cheapest pack size. Images for illustration purposes only. If you wish to receive information and offers from organisations carefully selected by Bauer Media please tick here [ ]. Offer closes 29 September 2019.

september 2019

M O D E R N G A R D E N S 125

garden notebook Our simple guide tells you all you need to know to get started outside Grow these house plants for winter colour moth orchids Christmas cactus cyclamen azalea poinsettia amaryllis

typES Of compost multi-purpose compost: a generalpurpose compost for lots of jobs mature plant compost: perfect for containers and adding to the planting hole of trees and bigger shrubs, it’s often called J‘ ohn Innes No. 3’ compost potting-on compost: perfect for potting small plants into larger containers, it's often called ‘John Innes No. 2’ compost seed compost: fine compost ideal for germinating seeds

Pests A well-grown plant will usually shrug off attacks, but young plants are more vulnerable. trap slugs in jam jars half-filled with beer and sunk up to the rim in soil, or use environmentally friendly slug pellets. Aphids can be blasted away with a strong jet of water.

126 M O D E R N G A R D E N S s e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 9

Plant up a pot

Use pieces of broken old pots (crocks) to cover the hole in the base of the container before filling it up with compost.

Use your hands to make holes and drop in the plants. Top with compost, pat it down gently and drench the compost with water.

When the compost is completely saturated, it will run out of the hole in the bottom of the pot.

bulbs that need to be planted in autumn

daffodils ✽ tulips ✽ alliums ✽ fritillaria ✽ muscari ✽ hyacinths ✽

Plug plants these are small plants with rootballs less than 10cm high.

Garden-ready ones can go straight into the soil or a pot.

How much should I water?

in the soil plant with Drench the soil around a iately after a full can of water immed water when planting. after this, only d the plant the weather warms up an starts growing.

in a pot t (of any size) soak a newly planted po e base hole. as until water runs out of th use your fingertip the plants start to grow, is damp. if it's to check if the compost u can see liquid not, water again until yo smaller pots escaping from the base. ently. need watering more frequ

Pruning

Pruning is simply a way of keeping plants looking their best and removing any dead stems. It also prevents them from outgrowing their space. Use sharp secateurs to make an easy job of cutting the stems back. Trees and shrubs that have lost their leaves can be trimmed in winter when they are not growing. Wait to trim evergreen shrubs such as holly and box until spring.

Winter-proof your garden ✽ move top-heavy potted plants such as bay trees out of the wind so they don't get knocked over. ✽ Hammer wooden stakes into the ground next to newly planted trees. ensure the trunk is tied to the stake using two soft plant ties. ✽ Don't walk on the grass when it's frosty – you'll leave footprint-shaped marks that will last for weeks. ✽ empty garden hoses of water to stop them splitting when they freeze.

OutDOOr herbs rosemary mint sage bay thyme

Windowsill

herbs tarragon basil Dill

corianDer

On the information label Perennial a plant that lives for more than two years (usually a lot more).

Annual a plant that completes its whole life cycle in one year, germinating from seed, growing and flowering within 12 months.

Biennial a plant that lives for two years, growing leaves in the first year and flowering in the second.

Hardy will survive temperatures below freezing.

Half-hardy needs to be brought into a porch or put on a windowsill during very cold weather.

Tender won’t survive temperatures below freezing.

How to plant in the soil

Dig a hole twice as wide and the same depth as the plant’s rootball, and position the plant in the hole so the top of the compost is level with the garden soil.

Backfill and drench with a full can of water.

Disclaimer: It is the sole responsibility of any person(s) using the information/advice contained within Modern Gardens that their level of competence is appropriate for the task they want to complete. Modern Gardens will not be held responsible for any injury due to the misuse or misunderstanding of any DIY project. september 2019

M O D E R N G A R D E N S 127

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These are sure to create an explosion of colour and provide spectacular displays for your garden, patio or decking in late spring and early summer – EVERY YEAR once planted as they establish brilliantly! The mix of varieties is ideal for the amateur gardener – all easy to grow yet tough and incredibly winter hardy.

With this 100 BULB OFFER, you will have plenty of cut flowers to brighten up your home.

This collection includes: 5 Allium nigrum; 7 Allium christophii; 7 Allium ‘Purple Sensation’; 6 Nectaroscordum siculum; 25 Allium ‘Drumsticks’; 25 Allium moly; and 25 Allium neopolitanum (see box for details).

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Allium christophii

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3 for 2 On Spring Flowering Bulbs

PICK 2 & GET 1 FREE! Tulip ‘Estella Rijnveld’

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Tulip ‘Estella Rijnveld’

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A vivid parrot tulip with eye-catching feathered edges – simply stunning, incredibly popular.

Grows to 60cm.

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Daffodil ‘Falconet’

AstrikingTazettadaffodilbearinggolden-yellowflowers withorangecups.Producesmulti-floweredheads with up to 5 sweetly-fragrant blooms. Grows to 40cm.

Tulip ‘Rembrandt’ Mix

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Jumbo Crocus Mix

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These wonderful mixed crocus are great for pots, containers and a bit of fresh spring colour.

Grows to 20cm.

Superbtulipmixinarainbowmixofboldcolours.Equally athomeinbordersandpatiopots.Growingto50cmtall they bloom through out May.

Oneofthemostpopulartulipswithitsdeeppurple, almostblackpetals.Looksgreatplantedwithwhitetulips to let distinctive colour stand out. Grows to 80cm.

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Orders dispatched within seven working days. Contract for supply is with Garden News Shop, PO Box 637, Wetherby Road, York YO26 0DQ. Offer is subject to availability and in the event that it is oversubscribed, we reserve the right to send suitable substitutes. UK delivery only. Delivery charges include postage, packaging & insurance. Surcharges may apply to deliver heavy or bulky items,machinery and for delivery to the following postcodes: AB, BT, DD8 11, GY, HS, IM, IV, JE, KA27 28, KW, PA20 80, PH19 50, TR21 25 & ZE. Full terms at www.gardennewsshop.co.uk. Offer closes September 30, 2019. YOUR DATA PROTECTION PREFERENCES H Bauer Publishing (Publishers of Garden News) may also like to contact you by post or phone. Please tick if you do not wish to be contacted by us or by carefully selected partner organisations By entering your email address you are choosing to receive emails from time to time from Garden News. We will never pass these details to any other organisation.

SIMON CANEY - GN Editor

EASY IDEAS

OUR GARDEN CRUSH A green palette, metallic tones and clear zones put this MULTI-LEVEL SPACE on our wishlist this month to improve privacy from the properties that overlook the seating area. The row of silver birches to the left of the pavilion conceal a rather unattractive building behind the garden.

“In this case, the trees were craned in as mature specimens and within a couple of seasons had almost completely hidden it from view,” says Allon. “Silver birches are fast growing trees and work particularly well when used as screening.”

The garden has an evergreen structure with seasonal interest. Plants such as the hebes and grasses have been added on either side of the lawned area, adding texture and shape to soften the harder edges of the landscaping.

But this design isn’t just about what’s visible from within the garden. “Key areas of the garden can be seen from the house, so we wanted to ensure those views had strong focal points,” Allon explains. The topiary balls in powder-coated steel containers have been positioned to disguise a view from the window

The pavilion isn’t visible from the lower part of the garden, so it is a nice surprise when climbing the steps.

Lights set into the wall between each of the topiary balls enhance the view from the house at night.

130 M O D E R N G A R D E N S S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 9

of what would otherwise be the rather austere retaining wall for the middle terrace. An evergreen jasmine grows behind to further soften the effect. The house also looks out onto an attractive small flowering dogwood tree at the top of the steps to the third level.

The lowest part of the garden has a shady terraced area with seating for chilling out and entertaining. The contemporary water feature here is not only good to look at, but the pleasant, musical sound of the falling water covers the noise from the nearby busy road.

“When we were designing this part of the garden, we asked the owners to consider how many people were likely to use the terrace at any one time and then we made it the size to suit,” says Allon. “Many people ask for a massive terrace thinking they want to entertain as many people as possible – but in fact most of it ends up never being used. It’s all about maximising the space you have available.”

Flowering dogwoods are great trees for tight spaces, producing large flowery leaves from late spring.

The plain wall of the bottom terrace is enhanced by ferns and other shade-loving plants.

F E AT U R E: K AR E N YO UN G S PH OTO : A L AM Y

T

he owners of this multi-level garden in central London wanted a contemporary space with clean lines. “It needed to flow seamlessly from inside the house, using modern materials which matched the interior of their home while also maintaining the traditional elements of their typical, terraced London property,” says Allon Hoskin, director of design and construction company, Modular, which created the garden.

“The garden is overlooked by neighbouring properties. There is also a busy road nearby, creating traffic noise, so this all needed to be taken into consideration.”

To ensure that each area of the split-level garden flowed seamlessly into the next, a sleek-looking limestone, sawn and sandblasted, was used “It’s a lovely light, reflective modernlooking material,” explains Allon.

The slatted cedar pavilion on the top terrace at the back of the garden has been given a roof

A style guide to the

outside

Industr y exper t and founder of Out and Out Original, Daniel Fairburn, brings you this season’s best deals on designer furniture.

Visit www.outandout.com or call 02037 728 752 for more exciting deals and discounts.

Murcia - 5 Seater Lounge Set This chic garden lounge set is made from high quality artificial resin which makes it virtually maintenance free.

Comfortable and stylish made easy, the Murcia includes a 3-seater sofa, 2 armchairs all with seat and back cushions and a coffee table made from a clear tempered glass top creating a functional centre piece, perfect for drinks and snacks in the garden. Includes a 12 month warranty. Normally £699, this modern set is now available at an incredible £499. To receive your £200 discount quote code MG28AUG at checkout.

SAVE £200 Copenhagen - Rattan Corner Sofa

SAVE £200

The Copenhagen corner lounge sofa is woven with thick rounded polyrattan and sits on a robust metal frame to give you strength and durability. This classic look sofa sits up to 5 in comfort thanks to the thick seat and back cushions.

Also included is an on trend luxurious granite table which has been meticulously shaped and rounded to give it a more organic feel. Virtually maintenance free and includes free delivery. Normally £699, this comfy sofa is now available at a fantastic price of £499, but only when you quote your £200 discount code MG28AUG at checkout.

Chesterton - Corner Rattan Set The luxurious Chesterton corner sofa and matching glass-topped coffee table set is perfect for entertaining outdoors.

Generously proportioned with deep, comfortable cushions you can seat 5 people with ease. It’s so easy to look after – the seat, back and side cushions all feature removeable covers (see website). With a maintenance-free construction of thick polyrattan and a galvanised steel frame, the set can even be left out all-year round, making it the ideal addition to your outdoor space this year. Normally £599, now available at an amazing £399, but only when you quote your £200 discount code MG28AUG at checkout.

SAVE £200

To receive your seasonal discount on any of these products quote code MG28AUG at checkout at www.outandout.com or call 02037 728 752 before 25.09.2019.