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NEW

YOUR PERFECT

GARDEN FROM THE MAKERS OF

Create your dream outdoor space

DESIGN IDEAS

Alfresco living

All the inspiration you need to transform your garden

The top trends for outdoor entertaining

Simple projects to revamp your space

SECOND EDITION

Digital Edition

Easy-grow blooms for stunning colour and scent

Style advice

Planting tips

Outdoor cooking

2 YOUR PERFECT GARDEN

Welcome to YOUR PERFECT

GARDEN The arrival of spring, with its longer, brighter days, signals the time when many of us head into our gardens, relishing the chance to bask in the glow of the sunshine. Plants and flowers are beginning to spring into life, and the warmer weather brings with it the opportunity for entertaining outdoors with family and friends.

If you’re looking forward to giving your outdoor space a refresh, you’ll find plenty of ideas for your garden transformation over the coming pages. Whether you’re searching for inspiring design advice, expert planting tips, or ways to maximise the use of your outdoor living space, you won’t be disappointed. Enjoy!

YOUR PERFECT GARDEN 3

Future PLC Quay House, The Ambury, Bath, BA1 1UA

Your Perfect Garden Editorial Editor Beth Murton & Teresa Conway Designer Emily Smith Compiled by Jacqueline Snowden & Adam Markiewicz Senior Art Editor Andy Downes Head of Art & Design Greg Whitaker Editorial Director Jon White Easy Gardens Editorial Editor Teresa Conway Group Art Director Alison Walter Senior Designer Chris McPhail Cover image Colin Poole/Future Photography All copyrights and trademarks are recognised and respected Advertising Media packs are available on request Commercial Director Clare Dove International Head of Print Licensing Rachel Shaw licensing@futurenet.com www.futurecontenthub.com Circulation Head of Newstrade Tim Mathers Production Head of Production Mark Constance Production Project Manager Matthew Eglinton Advertising Production Manager Joanne Crosby Digital Editions Controller Jason Hudson Production Managers Keely Miller, Nola Cokely, Vivienne Calvert, Fran Twentyman Printed by Walstead UK Limited Distributed by Marketforce, 5 Churchill Place, Canary Wharf, London, E14 5HU www.marketforce.co.uk Tel: 0203 787 9001 Your Perfect Garden (HIB4328) © 2022 Future Publishing Limited We are committed to only using magazine paper which is derived from responsibly managed, certified forestry and chlorine-free manufacture. The paper in this bookazine was sourced and produced from sustainable managed forests, conforming to strict environmental and socioeconomic standards. The paper holds full FSC or PEFC certification and accreditation.

All contents © 2022 Future Publishing Limited or published under licence. All rights reserved.

No part of this magazine may be used, stored, transmitted or reproduced in any way without the prior written permission of the publisher. Future Publishing Limited (company number 2008885) is registered in England and Wales. Registered office: Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All information contained in this publication is for information only and is, as far as we are aware, correct at the time of going to press. Future cannot accept any responsibility for errors or inaccuracies in such information. You are advised to contact manufacturers and retailers directly with regard to the price of products/services referred to in this publication. Apps and websites mentioned in this publication are not under our control. We are not responsible for their contents or any other changes or updates to them. This magazine is fully independent and not affiliated in any way with the companies mentioned herein.

Future plc is a public company quoted on the London Stock Exchange (symbol: FUTR) www.futureplc.com

Chief executive Zillah Byng-Thorne Non-executive chairman Richard Huntingford Chief financial officer Penny Ladkin-Brand Tel +44 (0)1225 442 244

Part of the

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Contents 8

MODERN GARDEN IDEAS

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Give your outdoor space a contemporary makeover with these on-trend looks

FABULOUS FERNS

34 A HOLIDAY AT HOME Adding seating, a kitchen, summerhouse and hot tub has turned this garden into the perfect staycation spot

38 18

COTTAGE GARDEN IDEAS

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STUNNING SCENTED CLIMBERS FOR ANY SPACE

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Cover an unsightly wall or trellis with blooms that are bursting with colour and fragrance

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WELL INCLINED This split-level plot has been cleverly redesigned and is now a beautiful cottage garden-inspired space

6 YOUR PERFECT GARDEN

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GOING GREEN Replanning the garden at the same time as an extension has created a flexible outdoor space that’s easy to look after

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FRONT GARDEN IDEAS Give your home some instant kerb appeal with these easy updates

TROPICAL PLANTING Create a bold look with exotic evergreens that will provide year-round drama

EASY PLANTING Cut back on your gardening tasks with these low-maintenance planting choices

TROPICAL GARDEN IDEAS Easy ways to introduce an exotic vibe to every corner of your outdoor space

Create a character-filled space with these romantic, whimsical looks

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FAMILY AFFAIR With spaces for eating, socialising, alone time and hobbies, this small garden now suits every member of the family

LOW-MAINTENANCE GARDEN IDEAS Spend less time working and more time relaxing with these timesaving solutions

SHRUBS FOR SMALL SPOTS The perfect picks to add colour and interest to any compact plot

Turn a drab area into a leafy paradise with these modern options

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Maximise the potential of your plot with space-enhancing solutions

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SMALL GARDEN IDEAS

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HANGING BASKET IDEAS The perfect finishing touch for the exterior of your home

SMALL VICTORIES This outdated garden has been turned into a lush, tropical outdoor room for a stunning slice of paradise

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DESIGN YOUR PERFECT OUTDOOR LIVING SPACE Ensure you have a space to be proud of for spring and summer with our step-by-step guide

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OUTDOOR KITCHEN IDEAS Want to cook up a storm alfresco?

It’s easy with these solutions

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Make your money go further with these wallet-friendly options

All the best parties will be in your garden if you add one of these to your space

104 MODERN CONTAINER IDEAS

OUTDOOR DINING IDEAS

110 BEST SHRUBS FOR EVERY GARDEN

Stylish planters that will instantly perk up your patio

Boost colour in spring and summer with these alternatives to annuals

GARDEN LIGHTING IDEAS The best ways to illuminate your space after dark

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50 GREAT PLANTS FOR BUDGET GARDENING

PATIO IDEAS Give the focal point of your outdoor living space the love it deserves

112 FLOWERS FOR SUMMER SCENT Choose fabulously fragranced flowers to add a special touch to your summer garden

116 EASY WEEKEND PROJECT 88

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120 MAKE YOUR OWN BEE AND BUG HOTEL Create a bigger buzz in your garden with this simple DIY project

OUTDOOR BAR IDEAS

You can entertain friends and family in style thanks to our favourite looks

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EASY GUIDE TO GARDEN ROOMS

Upcycle old tin cans into pretty planters and lanterns

Want an extra room without the cost of an extension? We explore the best options

118 PLANT A WILDFLOWER MEADOW THIS YEAR

OUTDOOR HEATING IDEAS

You don’t need rolling fields to enjoy the romance of a wildlife-rich meadow

Enjoy your outdoor space even as the cooler evenings set in

122 PERFECT PLANTS FOR BUTTERFLIES Grow the plants that butterflies love and watch them flock to your garden

124 FABULOUS FOLIAGE Who need flowers? These leafy lovelies are just as stunning to add interest to your plot

126 PERFECT CROPS FOR SMALL SPACES Take your pick from these vegetables and salads that are easy to grow in any space

128 HOW TO MAKE A MINI HERB GARDEN Upcycle empty jars and turn them into simple herb planters you can hang on a fence or wall

YOUR PERFECT GARDEN 7

Modern

GARDEN IDEAS Get inspired by our contemporary ideas – featuring outdoor kitchens, chic lighting solutions, stylish sheds, and more re you on the lookout for some modern garden ideas?

Whether you’re ready for a complete outdoor overhaul or just after a few quick tricks to make your space more welcoming, there are plenty of ways to begin your garden’s contemporary transformation right here.

Whether you want to create an outdoor living room or kitchen, add ambient lighting and stylish colour schemes, or even try your movie night outdoors, it’s easy to make a few simple changes to your space.

Contemporary gardens are often a great choice for busy families, who want to enjoy their garden without hours of maintenance involved. Think sleek, pared-back designs, natural materials, minimal colour schemes, even minimal planting.

Work with straight lines, and if in doubt, take it out!

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8 YOUR PERFECT GARDEN

Chill out with an outdoor cinema It’s not an all-seasons solution, but an outdoor cinema can be a real luxury in the warmer months, while the evenings are still balmy (or at least bearable).

Portable indooroutdoor projectors are available at all price points, so investing in one – along with a screen – is a great idea if you enjoy film nights with family or friends.

Add some picnic blankets and a cushion or two and you’ve got yourself a free evening out – just get your popcorn at the ready!

Be bold with shapes

Your patio floor makes all the difference to your garden, so invest in a sleek design. These gorgeous tiles have a pared-back, minimalist feel for instant cool.

Patterned tiles work equally well – they lend a Moroccan feel to a garden and have the added benefit of creating an ‘outdoor room’ feel to a space.

Consider lighting carefully The finishing touches make as much of an impact as anything else in a garden, so give as much thought

Use a pergola for shady zones Structures like pergolas add welcome shade to a sunny south-facing garden, but they’re also useful for zoning outdoor spaces, or to support climbing plants.

Use one to define your seating or dining area – you can even build one yourself using an online guide if you have a little DIY know-how.

and attention to things like lighting and accessories as you do layout and planting.

Think about lighting up key plants or trees for an instant feature, too, as well as any paths and key living areas.

PHOTOS (CLOCKWISE FROM OPPOSITE PAGE): CUPRINOL; ROYALE STONES; HARRINGTON PORTER; FIONA WALKER ARNOTT; LIGHTS4FUN

A garden is a perfect place to get creative. After all, it’s your space, so have fun making it exactly how you want it to be! And, one way to create a bold yet playful effect is to experiment with proportions.

This contemporary garden designed by London-based Harrington Porter ties a huge backdrop hedge together with clipped topiary balls, drawing the eye around the space. The round globes of purple alliums carry the spherical theme and add an intense shot of purple to the mix.

These shapes beautifully balance the more angular lines used in the seating area, and in the bespoke, square-shaped water feature.

Choose contemporary flooring

YOUR PERFECT GARDEN 9

Opt for sleek and stylish furniture Garden furniture is as important for a modern scheme as the planting and the paving, so choose wisely if you’re investing in a new dining or seating set. Timber is a timeless classic, but we love a sleek steel design for a contemporary look.

This dining set is an example of how streamlined styles are ideal for a contemporary vibe.

The simple monochrome colour palette adds to the overall effect. Team with a matching parasol to complete the look.

Experiment with interesting styles Why not play around with the layout of your outdoor tiles to create a strong design that’s interesting to the eye?

This urban garden makes use of natural stone plank paving and gravel chippings to create a pathway to the bottom of the garden, interspersed with grasses for added interest and texture.

Eat in style with an outdoor dining area Whether you’re including a cooking area in your design or not, an outdoor dining space is a lovely addition for sunny summer days. This setup has rustic yet modern charm, and we love the addition of on-trend string lanterns for simple mood lighting.

If you’re likely to invite guests over, having a set of outdoor tableware can elevate a meal in the garden to dinner party status.

10 YOUR PERFECT GARDEN

Cook alfresco with a stylish outdoor kitchen

Use a modern pond to divide garden zones A pond is a fail-safe way to create a chilled-out vibe.

The gentle splash of a visiting bird bathing on a shallow edge, the rippling reflections catching the sun – it provides a multi-sensory experience. And, a pond is

often even more attractive when full of water lilies, koi fish, and plenty of other aquatic delights.

But why not double up its purpose and use water as a divider, to separate the ‘rooms’ in your garden? This tucked-away seating space is a lovely example – a secluded retreat from the rest of the plot – accessed by a bridge-like walkway.

PHOTOS (CLOCKWISE FROM OPPOSITE PAGE TOP LEFT): AMARA; LIGHTS4FUN; JEMMA WATTS; GETTY IMAGES; MALCOLM MENZIES

Are you a keen cook? Do you love a barbecue come summer? Then an outdoor kitchen could be worth including in your new garden design.

Whether you opt for a modular design or a more bespoke build, you can tailor the kitchen to your needs and budget with ease. There are some essentials, though: you’ll need something to cook with (a barbecue or pizza oven), a workspace for prep and, if you can, some storage space for outdoor crockery and cooking tools.

Any extras, from kitchen shelving to a sink with running water, are up to you.

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Fabulous Ferns gained popularity in the Victorian age, when gardeners used them to mimic woodland spots under the shade of trees and shrubs. Stumperies – like rockeries, but made from tree trunks and logs – were the fashion, interplanted with ferns or combined with rocks and water to reflect a more craggy natural landscape.

FERNS Delicate foliage can bring low-maintenance splendour to shade, and will transform an otherwise drab area into a leafy paradise

ALL SHAPES AND SIZES erns come in an amazing range of textures, colours, sizes and shapes, so do take the trouble to get to know them in all their splendid glory by visiting a specialist grower during summer months.

As well as British native ferns that are ideal for planting in drifts in shady corners, tall tree ferns are good to dot around to create an exotic mood in a sheltered spot. These will thrive in dappled shade if you keep them well away from the edge of a lawn so that the grass won’t starve them of food and moisture.

Ground hugging plants

F

Shuttlecock ferns

Top tip Ferns from tropical countries make excellent plants in a conservatory, terrarium or bottle garden where the temperature is always maintained at 10-15oC (50-59oF).

Delicate maidenhair fern

The maidenhair fern (Adiantum raddianum) is perfect for squeezing into the nooks and crannies of drystone walls and, in a modern setting, plants can be arranged in such a way that they create modern wall art.

Shapely and structured Shuttlecock fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris) and hart’s tongue (Asplenium scolopendrium) are effective in contemporary schemes when planted in geometric blocks or combined with lacy fronded ferns to create a textured tapestry of green to replace lawns and borders.

12 YOUR PERFECT GARDEN

Soft shield fern

PLANT COMBINATIONS

Hardy and evergreen

Spring blooms such as wood anemones, snowdrops, cyclamen and hellebores are excellent partners for unfurling ferns, while lilies and irises complement them in summer. The royal fern (Osmunda regalis) in particular, does well around boggy pond edges.

Polystichum setiferum or soft shield ferns are particularly good for giving winter interest – especially magical effects when their frost-encrusted lacy fronds shine in the winter sun and produce ghostly outlines when mists descend.

Potting You don’t need a garden to grow ferns – most will thrive in pots in cool, shady spots.

Choose different types, including those with coloured fronds, such as the silvery-grey Japanese painted and broad buckler ferns.

Maidenhair fern is ideal for decorating cracks in paving, rockeries and drystone walls.

Make Dicksonia tree ferns a focal point in a ferny glade.

Hart’s tongue fern and hostas make a perfect pairing for a shady border.

Ferns should be planted in dappled shade or where the site receives early morning sun. They mostly prefer slightly acidic soils and those rich in organic matter, which will hold onto moisture at their roots.

They will only thrive if drainage is good, although aspleniums grow best in limy soils. These include the Crispum Cristatum Group that have attractive ruffled fronds, and Polystichum setiferum, the soft shield fern that has new fronds resembling octopus tentacles and mature to soft, much divided,

mossy green pinnae.

Dryopteris is highly tolerant to dry shade, so does well in shallow, stony soils and Dryopteris filix-mas will grow in the deepest, darkest shade so will survive spots where most other plants would die.

Ferns generally require very little maintenance throughout the year, but will continue to look at their best if yellowing deciduous fronds are removed in late autumn and older fronds on evergreen varieties are removed in late winter or early spring to make room for new growth.

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WORDS: ADRIENNE WILD. PHOTOS: ALAMY

PLANTING AND CARE

YOUR PERFECT GARDEN 13

Staycation vibes ‘Being in the garden feels like being on holiday in all seasons,’ Caroline explains.

The use of furniture like sunloungers give a real poolside feel

A holiday

AT HOME!

Caroline and Tim Norris opted for seating, a kitchen, a summerhouse and hot tub that turns their garden into the perfect staycation spot!

14 YOUR PERFECT GARDEN

ZZI 4 JACU

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ER SUMM HOUSE

THE DETAILS Caroline and Tim Norris live here with their children, Maya, Stanley, Ted and Ada. They have a large 30x15m (98.4x49.2ft) plot belonging to a 1950s five-bedroom house in Hampton, Middlesex.

THE CHALLENGE The couple were complete garden novices so they needed to spend time researching exactly how best to use their large rectangular plot.

THE PLAN Caroline says, ‘We wanted to connect the house to the garden and make it a space we could use all year round. We still wanted it to look lovely, but also be a sociable space for entertaining friends and family, and we needed to have storage too.’

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PATIO

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OOR 3 OUTD EN GING KITCH 2 HAN CHAIR

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Before the redesign The couple never really ventured past the patio

WORDS: DILLY ORME. PHOTOS: CLAIRE LLOYD DAVIES/FUTURE CONTENT HUB

FACT FILE

fter extending and renovating their home, which took around nine months, Caroline and Tim Norris decided to take a break for a couple of years before turning their attention to the garden. ‘We are both complete garden novices, so we really needed to think about what we wanted and do lots of research,’ says Caroline.

The garden was a good size, stocked with mature shrubs and trees, but the couple rarely ventured past the patio seating area, which meant all that space was going to waste.

‘We went to the RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival as a starting point,’ says Caroline, ‘then we used Pinterest to find images to illustrate a wish list of what we had in mind for the garden.

‘Luckily, we knew a landscape gardener, Simon Fraser, and trusted him to do a good job. Initially, we paid him a £500 ($695) design fee to plot out everything on our wish list.

We tried not to be too prescriptive, so he had the freedom to come up with creative solutions and ideas that we hadn’t thought of.’

Once the plans were agreed, the garden was cleared and the summerhouse was built, taking five days, including one to lay the foundations. Simon did the rest, including the raised beds, outdoor kitchen, shed, wood store and planting. ‘We wanted low-maintenance plants, especially various grasses, to create the Mediterranean look I had in mind,’ says Caroline.

YOUR PERFECT GARDEN 15

The summerhouse

Cooking al fresco

The garden room doubles as a living space and home office, decorated with green accents to visually link with the garden beyond. ‘We found a brilliant company called Green Retreats, which sorted it all for us – design, build and electrics,’ says Caroline.

‘We used white rendered breeze blocks, to match the house, and installed a pizza oven from Blistering Woodfired Ovens,’ says Caroline.

Simple mistake ‘We chose the wrong pebbles for the path! They don’t blend well with the garden and are tough on bare feet. It would be easy to change, but we’ve decided to live with them.’

Spa corner ‘We saw hot tubs on a trip to the RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival and it inspired us to buy one – a natural wood design from Riviera Hot Tubs.

It was definitely the right decision. It means that we are in the garden summer and winter – we were even in it on Christmas Eve!’

Weatherproofing All-weather sofas can be left out all year round and match the interior decor

16 YOUR PERFECT GARDEN

Outdoor kitchen Anyone for pizza?

Reclaimed timber gives the garden a lived -in look

Three plants for lush borders

View from the patio Wooden elements – a deck, raised bed edging and a plank path – give the garden structure and are easy to maintain. The grey stones and paving setts were chosen to tie in with the house’s window frames and roof

Lavender Great for drought-tolerant gardens, this easy-to-grow shrub thrives in sunny spots, producing a mass of fragrant blooms.

Bamboo Bamboo with its tall foliage is good for year-round screening and adding structure to borders. But beware, it can be invasive.

Ornamental grasses These will soften hard landscaping, and the wide variety of colours and textures makes them a versatile addition to any garden.

YOUR PERFECT GARDEN 17

Cottage

GARDEN IDEAS Charming ways to create a character-filled outdoor space you’ll instantly fall in love with

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ottage gardens are all about creating a beautiful space that’s packed with soft flowers and scent. From overflowing borders filled with cottage garden plants to pretty accessories and seating that adds instant charm, there are plenty of ways to create a cottage-style vibe in your own garden.

And, if you’re the owner of an urban garden, don’t be discouraged. You don’t have to live in a picture-postcard thatched cottage in the English countryside to create a cottage garden scheme! All of these ideas will work just as well on a smaller scale for a romantic, flower-filled city garden as they would in a larger rural space.

Cottage gardens typically have an informal planting scheme featuring lots of different colours for a space that’s packed with interest.

Flowerbeds are bigger than you might find in a more contemporary style garden, so keep in mind that you might need to sacrifice some of your lawn to create the most successful cottage garden planting scheme.

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Create a meadow-like feel by layering your plants If there’s one thing that’s essential for a country garden, it’s flowers, and lots of them. Historically the quintessential cottage garden would have evolved slowly and planting would have had no strict plan.

Self seeders were welcomed, plants were propagated from cuttings, gifted by neighbours and perhaps collected from the native countryside. All would have been planted in whatever space was available with little thought to hierarchy or height, which resulted in a magical jumble of shape and colour.

Although colour blocking is a great way to create cohesion and impact, for a wild meadow feel, layer up a variety of colours and heights.

Traditionally the purpose of the cottage garden was to grow staple produce like peas, beans, cabbages, onions, leeks and carrots, but also a wide array of herbs used in cooking and for medicinal purposes.

For a true cottage garden feel, grow produce in amongst the flowers in whatever space you have. If you have the luxury of more space, dedicated raised beds could be created in a sunny south-facing area.

If there’s one flower that should take centre stage in a cottage garden, it’s the classic rose. Romantic, English garden favourites, they are loved for their fragrance and classic blooms, plus there are so many to choose from and they can be grown in all sorts of positions.

With their abundance of pretty floral sprays, climbing or rambling roses are brilliant for softening harsh walls or fences and they can be used to bring height and structure grown over an arch or obelisk.

Alternatively, choose shrub or bush roses for borders, or if space is tight you can grow them in pots, too.

Make a feature of your garden boundaries Fixed features and boundaries like gates, hedges and fences all help lend themselves to the overall look and feel of a cottage garden. Traditionally they would have been made from local materials, so across

Paint gates in pretty colours Add extra charm to your cottage garden by painting gates, woodwork and even wooden furniture in soft, muted colours such as pale greens and blues.

These types of shades work well with pretty cottage garden planting and will add another layer of interest to your garden scheme.

Britain you will find variations in vernacular design from the dry-stone walls of the Cotswolds to wattled fences in Wiltshire and white-washed stone walls of Devon.

There’s nothing quite like a charming white picket fence to give your garden some instant cottage garden appeal though is there?

PHOTOS (CLOCKWISE FROM OPPOSITE PAGE): KASIA FISZER; LEIGH CLAPP; LEIGH CLAPP; CLIVE NICHOLS; KASIA FISZER

Create a kitchen garden area

Make roses the star of the show

YOUR PERFECT GARDEN 19

Create a relaxed feel by using curved borders While formal gardens were laid out with parterres and terraces, traditional cottage gardens would have had no predetermined layout. There would have been little space for lawn and no hard surfacing.

To capture the romance of a country cottage garden, you should avoid straight lines and factor in plenty of deep, curved borders for planting. Curved landscaping always creates a more natural and relaxed feel that allows you to meander along pathways through the beautiful flowerbeds.

Add in meandering pathways Unlike formal country gardens, cottage gardens have a relaxed, casual feel. One way to help achieve this is to embrace sinuous pathways.

Avoid geometrical, rigid materials like square paving and instead try materials which are softer on the eye such as a gravel path lined with reclaimed bricks that have a worn patina.

Include a stone wall for added character A stone wall is a lovely addition to a cottage garden, for a timeless, countryside look.

It also provides a useful divider between ‘rooms’ of your garden, or for added privacy and shelter.

You can plant it up with foliage, succulents, moss, and even tumbling flowers such as Erigeron, for a much softer, fairytale-like feel.

20 YOUR PERFECT GARDEN

Set the scene with your front garden

Choose colourful cottage garden perennials Cottage gardens are all about abundance, so don’t hold back on the flowers even if you are restricted on space. Pack your borders with a mix of perennial favourites which will bring uplifting colour year after year, such as hollyhocks, everlasting sweetpeas, poppies, and hardy geraniums.

Ensure interest all year round by planting for each

season. In winter think about cyclamen, hellebore and snowdrops, and try daffodils, muscari, bluebells and tulips for spring colour, as well as iconic primroses.

In summer, no cottage garden should be without roses, lavender, ox-eye daisies, delphiniums and foxgloves.

Plant dahlias, rudbeckia and echinacea to keep the garden blooming into late summer and consider michaelmas daisies and Japanese anemones for autumn interest.

PHOTOS (CLOCKWISE FROM OPPOSITE TOP LEFT): KASIA FISZER; GETTY IMAGES; CLIVE NICHOLS; GETTY IMAGES; CLIVE NICHOLS

Cottage gardens aren’t just for back gardens.

Why not set the scene with your front garden, too? If you’re lucky enough to live in a period property such as this, billowing borders of soft flowers will provide the perfect setting to complement the architecture.

But, even for modern houses, a cottage-style front garden will provide a wonderful welcome for you and your guests.

YOUR PERFECT GARDEN 21

Care tip

For best flowerin g, mulch and fertili se soil in late winte r

Clematis montana var. wilsonii H: 6m (19.6ft)

Rosa ‘New Dawn’ H: 3m (9.8ft)

The queen of climbers, ideal for covering unsightly walls and fences or trained over pergolas and trellis. It flowers from late spring to early summer, providing an early dose of fragrance, which is similar to chocolate.

Sprays of pearl-pink flowers with a sweet, fruity fragrance are produced from July to September. It’s a lovely, repeatflowering rose that flourishes in sun or partial shade. A vigorous grower, it quickly covers a house or garden wall.

10 OF THE BEST

Scented climbers Top tip

Cover an unsightly wall or trellis with blooms that are bursting with colour and fragrance

Keep the roots shaded with a layer of pebbles around the base of the plant.

Clematis x triternata ‘Rubromarginata’ H: 4.5m (14.7ft) The most heavily scented clematis, with clouds of hawthorn-scented white flowers with red edges from mid-summer to early autumn. This garden star grows well in dry shade.

22 YOUR PERFECT GARDEN

Clematis montana ‘Mayleen’ H: 12m (39.3ft) Brilliant for covering a garage wall or unloved shed with bold flowers in spring and summer. And for smaller gardens, try the cherry-pink variety ‘Freda’, which reaches a height of 5m.

Lonicera periclymenum ‘Serotina’ H: 7m (22.9ft) Otherwise known as the late Dutch honeysuckle, ’Serotina’ is a vigorous twining deciduous shrub bearing large flowers, deep red-purple on the outside, yellow within, until autumn.

Top tip Install a wire network up the wall onto which you can train your roses.

Akebia quinata H: 9m (29.5ft) This unusual climber has maroon/ chocolate flowers in spring carrying an exotic, spicy fragrance with a hint of vanilla. The cream form of this plant, Akebia quinata ‘Alba’ (pictured) offers the added interest of colour contrast.

Rosa ‘Golden Showers’ H: 3m (9.8ft) Amazingly prolific with elegant buds which open to reveal large, loose flowers. This climbing rose tends to be naturally upright in growth, which is helpful when training on a wall, pillar or obelisk.

Trachelospermum jasminoides ‘Variegatum’ H: 4m (13.1ft) This elegant evergreen with glossy cream-edged leaves sprouts bunches of white propeller-shaped flowers in summer that produce a delicious, sweet jasmine-like scent.

Wisteria sinensis H: 30m (98.4ft) Sometimes called Chinese kidney bean, it’s more fragrant than Japanese wisteria, with drooping mauve-lilac racemes that hang 30cm in length – best appreciated when trained over a large pergola or tree.

FUTURE CONTENT HUB. PHOTOS: ALAMY, GETTY

Rosa ‘Zéphirine Drouhin’ H: 3m (9.8ft) One of the most reliable rambling roses, ‘Zéphirine Drouhin’ is known for its highly scented, deep rose-pink flowers, which it produces en masse. It grows well on a north-facing wall and can also be grown as a shrub.

YOUR PERFECT GARDEN 23

Well INCLINED The Smiths made their garden more usable by dividing it into split-level spaces, each with its own look, feel and purpose

Patio dining area The sunken patio feels enclosed and sheltered, thanks to the retaining walls surrounding the next level of the garden.

Jane used the same flagstone flooring inside and outside the house’s bifold doors to connect the two spaces. ‘We eat outside whenever we can, so the garden’s like an extension of our home,’ says Jane 24 YOUR PERFECT GARDEN

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fter spending six years renovating their cottage, Jane and Martin Smith turned their attention to the back garden – a rectangular plot that sloped upwards behind the house.

As part of the renovation work, the couple had added a rear kitchen extension with bifold doors and a spacious patio area beyond them. Apart from that, Jane was unsure what to do with the rest of the space. ‘It was mainly lawn and there was a very large apple tree taking up lots of room and casting shade over everything,’ says Jane. ‘It needed a complete rethink. It had to be low-maintenance with some structure and privacy, and I knew I wanted white flowers only, because I love the simplicity.’

She turned to Mike Reeves of Greenman Services, who suggested a split-level design with steps from the patio up to a flat, small area of lawn.

Although the garden is only a couple of years old, borders packed with plants make it look lush and established. Perennials and bulbs keep the interest and colour coming from spring to autumn. Ferns, evergreens and

Top tip Smart furniture, oversized planters and white and cream flowers create this contemporary cottage garden.

FACT FILE THE DETAILS Jane Smith lives here with her husband, Martin.

Their outdoor space is a rectangular, split-level cottage garden, in a village in Southern England.

THE CHALLENGE Their garden was largely cast in shadow by a large apple tree and had a sloping incline that went up towards the back of the garden.

THE PLAN The couple wanted a low-maintenance space with structure and privacy that was an extension of their renovated cottage.

annuals like sweetpeas and snapdragons fill the gaps. She’s sticking to the all-white theme, but doesn’t worry when lilac, blue or pink blooms appear. ‘I’m fine with the odd bit of colour, but there was a wrongly labelled yellow rose I couldn’t ignore, so I moved that to the front garden!’

Supersize planters Give a grander, more contemporary look than clusters of small pots

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Recliners

5 4 Steps

2

1

HOUSE

1 Assortment of pots 2 Dining area 3 Raised lawn

4 Raised bed 5 Gravel path 6 Table and chairs

WORDS: ANNABELLE GRUNDY. PHOTOS: COLIN POOLE/ FUTURE CONTENT HUB

3

YOUR PERFECT GARDEN 25

Jane loves ‘The layout gives the garden character and divides it naturally into areas for eating, sitting and relaxing. I also love watching the flowers appear.’

Steeped with antirot preservative for a longer lifespan Lawned area The middle part of the garden is laid to lawn, with steamer chairs for lounging in the sun.

Climber-clad trellis fencing screens the garage and the clematis-wound archway gives a glimpse of another small seating area, which catches the evening sun, at the back. This trick makes the plot seem larger than it actually is.

paving and doesn’t compete with the greenery,’ says Jane.

Curved pathway Stepping-stone slabs and gravel create an informal and low-maintenance path. Jane’s lush planting spills over to soften its lines. ‘Full beds stop weeds taking hold,’ she says.

‘Our local garden centre sells neglected plants cheaply, so I get them to flourish again and use them to fill gaps.’

Rendered wall

Order border Edging strips keep the gravel contained so it doesn’t creep into flowerbeds

26 YOUR PERFECT GARDEN

This was built as part of the garden redesign and provides privacy as well as a modern, Mediterranean feel. In time, it will be mostly covered by clematis and jasmine. It’s painted in Farrow & Ball’s Bone.

‘It’s a good match for the patio

Vertical garden Jane turned an old ladder, bought for a few pounds at a market, into an eye-catching plant stand. ‘I like the rustic wood and having plants at different heights – it’s a bit of fun,’ she says.

Shade of pale Choose light furniture and accessories for a fresh, summery feel

Secluded seating There's a lovely spot for dining

Three plants for a modern country garden

Clematis A dainty clematis with pale lilac, bell-shaped flowers makes a hardy climber for softening metal arches or fences.

Agapanthus Great for attracting bees into your garden, these need little attention and bring height and structure to your flower beds.

Sweetpeas Excellent climbers, these are also good for hanging baskets and the flowers are prized for their colour and scent.

YOUR PERFECT GARDEN 27

Small

GARDEN IDEAS Maximise the potential of your compact space by giving these ideas a go for a stylish update – your outdoor space will instantly feel bigger and brighter he best small garden ideas need to be practical, stylish, and easy-to-implement.

A bit of design know-how can transform a cramped courtyard or an urban square of lawn bordered by dull fencing. In fact, it’s surprisingly simple to create a successful space that’s both attractive and functional, even on small plots.

Every good garden design needs to take the surrounding area into account. This is particularly important with smaller gardens, where neighbouring houses can affect the end result. Be realistic about what you can achieve.

Whether you’re planning a complete overhaul or a few tweaks, our design tricks will help you nail it.

Get ready to see your city balcony, tiny country garden, shady patio area or even that lacklustre patch of lawn be transformed into an extraordinary small garden space.

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28 YOUR PERFECT GARDEN

Cram with patterns If you’re more maximalist than minimalist, then don’t let size stop you. When it comes to pattern, go big! Go bold! Small garden layouts can come to life when adorned in layers of texture and vivid colour.

Embrace the boholook with patterned outdoor cushions, rugs and throws, then match your planting, too, by choosing lots of brightly coloured grasses and flowers.

Such an explosion of colour is bound to bring plenty of joy and will keep your small space full of interest.

Paint life into garden furniture

Consider adding a multifunctional summerhouse

When you’re working with a tiny garden, balcony or even courtyard, colour is your friend. Add a pop of a vibrant colour by investing in bright furniture, or paint your own, as done in this corner seating area.

Make sure that you complement your colour choice with similar tones in accessories to make your colourful corner really come to life.

A bright summerhouse or she shed is a gorgeous addition to a small patio.

It will not only be the perfect canvas for gorgeous seating, accessories and lighting, but it’s also an ideal shady retreat for long summer days.

Your options are limitless with a summerhouse or small garden room.

Turn yours into a garden office so that you can work from home in peace and quiet, or keep it as a snug for balmy evenings when only a book and a glass of wine will do.

Zone your space Work out how best to use your space. Trying to squeeze in too much will often leave the final design feeling busy. Creating a separate streamlined dining area (near the house for practical reasons) and

lounging area (in the most secluded spot) helps to maximise space and works even in the smallest garden.

Aim to incorporate an element of surprise with a ‘big reveal’, where a calm, secluded space that can’t really be seen from the house is there when you turn a corner.

If your garden feels small and overly square, then there’s a few tricks you can try to make it more interesting. One of the best ways to make it feel more spacious is to add garden mirrors – the bigger the better. Hang one up along a wall and not only will it help to bounce the light around, it will also create an illusion of space – your garden will be instantly doubled!

Another way to prevent your plot feeling cramped is to use uninterrupted lines. As seen on the wood panelling on these walls, it helps to elongate the space.

PHOTOS (CLOCKWISE FROM OPPOSITE PAGE): B&M; CUPRINOL; LIGHTS4FUN; FUTURE; GO MODERN

Double the space with a mirror

YOUR PERFECT GARDEN 29

Save space with hooks Making the most of small gardens is all about optimising the available space. And, whilst storage units are great, they often take up valuable room on the floor.

So, what’s a brilliant storage solution which takes up zero floor space whatsoever? Hooks!

Especially when it comes to ones that are sturdy enough to hang furniture on.

Place them up high on a sturdy wall or fence and you can tuck those chairs out of the way when they’re not in use for instant extra space. Double win if the wall is the same colour as the chair, for some colour blocking goodness.

And whilst we’re admiring this blue-hued vision, check out the table too, which has a built-in trough for plants, saving space for extra containers.

Layer up the lighting Garden lighting ideas are key in outdoor spaces of all shapes and sizes, and in a small garden space lighting can enhance the area in a natural way. The combination of different sized lanterns dotted on the floor and on the table creates ambience like no other.

Add festoon lights up above too and you could even have a three-layered lighting scheme in play which would make this tiny garden space dynamic and, we’re sure you’ll agree, a little magical.

30 YOUR PERFECT GARDEN

Go bold with flooring With small gardens, every surface provides an opportunity for design. So why not arrange your garden around an eye-catching floor design?

Try bold-patterned tiles, soft-textured rugs, or how about using artificial grass for low-maintenance greenery? It’s a stunning way to create an indoor-outdoor feel, especially when space is restricted.

Pair with bright colours and potted succulents for a fresh feel to your sanctuary.

Decorate steps with colourful pots

Create a secluded area If your compact outdoor space is overlooked consider including some garden privacy ideas. Boundaries should be light and airy to make the space more welcoming. A row of pleached trees in a raised bed creates an airy screen between you and

neighbouring properties, as does a ‘wall’ of tall bamboos. Use screens and plants that act as veils to divide spaces rather than solid walls that can’t be seen through. Fast growing climbers can be used to green up fences and walls.

Small trees in large planters or adding a slatted pergola are alternative ways to create seclusion.

PHOTOS (CLOCKWISE FROM OPPOSITE PAGE TOP LEFT): HABITAT; HABITAT; DOBBIES; LIZZIE ORME/FUTURE; LIGHTS4FUN

Steps can be pretty unspectacular, right? They get you from A to B, and if there are lots, they’re not that fun to climb. But if your small garden features some, then why not include them in your carefully-curated miniature haven?

If they’re wide enough, add interesting containers or colourful pots bursting with blooms and foliage on each one. We can guarantee that those steps will then bring joy whenever you use them! Just be sure to push them all to the side of each step, and remember they’re there when the sun goes down so that you don’t accidentally trip.

Why not paint the adjacent wall a sunny colour too, such as this deep ochre, for extra warmth? You might then be tempted to perch on them for a morning cuppa, to admire the bright backdrop.

YOUR PERFECT GARDEN 31

Care tip

For maximum flowers feed and wat er throughout th e growing seas on.

Viburnum tinus

Rose ‘Suffolk’

One of the most decorative, easy to maintain shrubs, and far less vigorous when grown in a container, these tough plants bear highly-scented flowers in winter and spring.

Ground-cover roses like this one work well in baskets, as their sprawling habit means they’ll trail down the sides.

Prune back to healthy buds in winter to keep plants in check.

FOR SMALL SPOTS

Top tip This new variety ‘Platinum Blonde’ has creamy foliage that sets off vibrant pinks.

Lavender

Box-leaved or Japanese holly

With scented summer flowers and evergreen foliage, lavender needs trimming to a neat mound in early September. Plant in pots in direct sunlight for a movable, eye-catching feature.

Often overlooked for use in small courtyards, this thornless holly is brilliant for filling small gaps and can be clipped into cloud shapes. Plant singly or as a hedge in sun or shade.

32 YOUR PERFECT GARDEN

FEATURE: WENDY HUMPHRIES. PHOTOS: JOYOFPLANTS.CO.UK, ALAMY, YOUGARDEN.COM. PLANTS FROM YOUGARDEN.COM, HAYLOFT.CO.UK

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special shrubs

These fussfree, compact shrubs are guaranteed to provide colour and impact for years without growing out of control – which means less stress for you!

Checkerberry or wintergreen A compact and versatile plant which has white or pale-pink, bell-shaped flowers followed by long-lasting berries. Plant in acid soil or in an ericaceous compost.

Olive trees Milder winters and warmer summers mean we can use these silver-leaved evergreens to create a Mediterranean idyll in our own homes. Young specimens are reasonably priced. Plant in pots of John Innes No 3 compost with added grit.

Hydrangea ‘Runaway Bride’ This newcomer has abundant white flowers all summer. Ideal for pots or baskets in sun or partial shade, keep it well watered and prune to healthy buds in spring.

Top tip This evergreen camellia has an upright habit that would make it an effective screen.

Cordyline ‘Pink Passion’

Daphne ‘Eternal Fragrance’

Camellia ‘Anticipation’

Architectural plant that looks exotic and is drought-tolerant.

This vibrant variety contrasts well with a green backdrop.

Place this attractive plant on your patio or front step where you can appreciate its highly-scented flowers all summer.

Keep it watered during dry spells.

This peony-flowered evergreen will thrive in shade. Choose a large enough pot, at least 45cm (18in) wide. Use an ericaceous compost, and water regularly in summer.

YOUR PERFECT GARDEN 33

A family

affair With spaces for eating, socialising, alone time and hobbies, Tracey James and Paul Roye have created a garden specially designed to suit every member of their family

FACT FILE THE DETAILS Tracey James lives here with her partner Paul Roye and their three grown-up children.

THE CHALLENGE A plot belonging to a four-bedroom Victorian house in north London. ‘It was definitely money well spent, as well as an enjoyable project.

Everyone loves the garden now and we’re out here all day in summer.’

THE PLAN The garden has three sections – the top patio, which is bathed in morning sunshine, the central seating area and the bottom deck with a water feature, and Tracey’s ‘she shed’, which she uses for her crafting activities.

BEFORE 34 YOUR PERFECT GARDEN

Garden studio

6

Raised Deck

5

4 Lawn

3

2

1

Patio

House

1 Table and chairs 2 Potted tree ferns 3 Built in bench

seating 4 Path 5 Water feature 6 Hanging chair

Angled lights For a gentle glow in the evenings

T Use alliums to add height to borders with their structural stems and pom -pom heads – and they attract bees, too

Help from the pros

with just a few small tweaks needed here and there.’

Perfect aspects The movement of the sun from the patio to the far end of the garden helped dictate the new layout. The seating was placed centrally, where it would enjoy almost all-day sunshine. Its linear design was carefully measured to give the illusion of regular, straight lines, as the garden is not quite a perfect rectangle.

The seating contains the majority of the planting, which was chosen for its height, movement and structural shapes

Acting on a recommendation, Tracey and her partner Paul contacted Sakura Gardens (www. sakuragardens. co.uk). ‘Paul and I already had ideas about the planting and other things we wanted, like the water feature,’ says Tracey.

‘Sakura’s designers pretty much hit the brief first time,

Planting scheme

The seating also contains the majority of the planting, which was chosen for its height, movement and structural shapes. ‘We ’ve planted white flowers, like alliums and lilies, but it’s mostly about textures and greens. I love the palms

WORDS: ANNABELLE GRUNDY. PHOTOS: COLIN POOLE/FUTURE CONTENT HUB

racey James’ previous garden consisted of a patio, lawn, path and a tumbledown shed.

‘I wanted more interest, and a crisp, architectural feel,’ says Tracey, ‘As our grown-up children live at home, it was about creating a relaxing, low-maintenance, adult space for everyone.

Another musthave was a shed for me to keep my sewing machine and fabrics.’

YOUR PERFECT GARDEN 35

Tall alliums are a recurring feature

Calla lilies continue the white theme

Top tip ‘When planning your planting and design, set up a Pinterest board and a WhatsApp group, so everyone can share ideas and images.’

Tree ferns in pots make a statement

and grasses we chose, especially the variegated and blue-toned ones,’ says Tracey.

The work was an investment, but it’s made the outdoor space much more usable and enjoyable, as well as improving the flow and the feeling of space in the ground floor of our house.’

Dining space A round dining table maximises space on the raised patio, which has a full view of the whole garden. Steps lead down to the stepping-stone path.

‘We discussed using artificial grass,’ says Tracey, ‘but I’m glad we went for the real thing – it’s authentic and natural.’

Mini waterfall The water feature is built into the deck at the end of the garden. A twice-yearly treatment with protective teak oil keeps the yellow balau hardwood looking smart and glossy.

36 YOUR PERFECT GARDEN

Seating area Benches have been built into the concrete planting troughs to make them look as if they’re floating above the ground.

White gravel underneath them emphasises the effect, also avoiding unsightly strips of discoloured lawn where the sunlight might not reach.

3 of the best… Grasses for filling gaps

Switchgrass A stiff, upright grass that can grow to about 1.5m (4.9ft) in height, with blue-green leaves that gradually turn yellow in autumn. Plant in clumps for maximum impact.

Japanese forest grass A compact, non-invasive, easy-to-grow grass with eye-catching yellow leaves, striped with bright green.

Cut it back in late winter to encourage new spring growth.

Eulalia grass This bushy grass has fine green leaves through spring and summer, and develops feathery, creamy-brown flower heads for autumn interest and texture.

37

Tropical

GARDEN IDEAS Transform your garden into an exotic oasis for an instant holiday vibe xotic gardens equal drama and atmosphere.

This style of garden will act as an escape from daily reality and transport us to faraway holiday destinations.

Although the look hails from warmer climes, it’s easy to adapt it to your own gardens to bring the tropics right into our own back gardens, whatever the weather.

Exotic style relies on evergreens rather than colour combinations, which means it looks lush all year, and plenty of exotic-looking plants are hardy in UK winters. Others, like the banana tree Musa basjoo, are still fine as long as they’re brought inside for the colder months.

You don’t need oodles of space to create a tropical-style garden – this planting is a great solution for smaller urban plots too.

What’s more, by using large architectural plants you can easily create sheltered private spaces in yor garden as well as screen out ugly buildings. And with urban heat islands we can grow tender plants for longer in the season.

Get inspired to see what you can achieve in your space, and you might even feel like you’re on holiday all year round.

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38 YOUR PERFECT GARDEN

Get inspired by your favourite vacations For exotic inspo, look online at your favourite destinations, or get ideas from holiday photos. You don’t have to start from scratch – you can transform your existing garden by taking up the lawn, putting in a path, and planting around that.

Include a patio or decking so you’ve got a secluded place to sit.

Be sure to add a pretty shade sail or a parasol.

Soft pastel paint shades will give a warm and tropical feel.

Look at your foliage carefully – exotic style is about impactful, contrasting evergreens. Texture is important too – contrast the glossy green leaves with more delicate, lacy ones. Plant dense undergrowth with lowmaintenance grasses and evergreen ferns in large clumps, repeating them round the garden.

Polystichum setiferum (soft shield fern) has a ‘Jurassic’ presence, with its huge evergreen leaves.

For colour, have a few bold hits from tender exotics like cannas dotted around in summer, peeping through the green background. Most exotic and tropical plants are pretty low-maintenance – you’ll need to water them while they establish and tidy them now and then, but they’re certainly far less work than herbaceous borders or lawns.

Choose plants for drama Give your patio a tropical island look with a spectacular canna. The leaves alone are large, colourful and impressive, but they are matched by

Use tropicalstyle accessories Tropical gardens are mostly about the plants and creating a jungle atmosphere. For structures, use bold materials to match the planting style, rough timbers for decking or pergolas, slate or bark chippings for paths, bamboo for fences. In city gardens, paint fences with black or dark grey exterior wood paint so the greens of your planting really pop.

equally dramatic blooms, which come in a bold selection featuring pink, red, yellow or orange.

They’ll flower from June to September and reach heights of over a metre. Pair them in a bed with dahlias for a showstopping display.

WORDS: TERESA CONWAY. PHOTOS: FUTURE CONTENT HUB; ALAMY; GETTY

Make a statement with architectural form and foliage

Inject some colour with bold florals

YOUR PERFECT GARDEN 39

Add your houseplants to the mix Most houseplants enjoy a summer holiday on the patio, with warmer night-time temperatures. They’ll benefit from the fresh air and extra light and will look healthier after their mini-break. Cacti and succulents are fine in hot spots, and are best fed with specialist cactus feed. But other plants need placing out of full sun, which can scorch their leaves. And some, like aspidistra, prefer full shade.

Display your houseplants together in groups and enjoy them up close outdoors.

Water and feed as normal, and remember to bring them inside when night temperatures start dropping.

Put in a water feature A waterfall is great if you’ve got a big garden, but don’t go chasing them if you don’t have the space. There are plenty of water features available in varying styles and sizes. Solar-powered ones are easy to install. The gentle sounds of trickling water will add to the oasis vibe and are a must-have addition in an tropicalthemed garden.

40 YOUR PERFECT GARDEN

Brighten up shady spots Shady garden? No worries – shade is no bar to the exotic look. In fact, shade-loving plants like fatsia and dicksonia, that provide exactly the jungle-like ambience you’re after, positively thrive in shade; bamboos too. Trachycarpus (the windmill palm), cordyline (Torbay palm) and Musa basjoo (banana) also tolerate partial shade.

Most ferns are happy in shade, as are many grasses, such as hakonechloa, a Japanese grass with bright green arching leaves and rusty winter colour. Liriope is a grass-like evergreen perennial which loves shade, with added interest from purple flowers in September.

Pot up some hot containers Containers are ideal for tender plants like citrus (eg, lemon) that live outside in summer, and come back indoors for winter.

This means you can go for exotic style even if you only have a patio. Make a feature of your container displays in summer, grouping your pots prominently on the patio or deck.

Remember to bring them inside before the first frosts in late autumn.

Create a desert island vibe Create an enclosed seating area with plants all around you to give your space an exotic feel. Throw in plenty

of bright accessories to add vibrant pops of colour, then make some fresh summer cocktails and bingo! You’re living the tropical dream in your very own backyard oasis.

YOUR PERFECT GARDEN 41

Tropical

planting Create a bold look in your back garden with exotic evergreens that provide low-effort drama and bold interest all year round

Flowers For tropical-looking blooms you can’t beat passiflora, the passion flower. Eccremocarpus (Chilean glory flower) is a mile-a-minute grower, with tubular orange flowers from late spring until autumn. Plant in sun.

Climbers No exotic garden is complete without climbers: they enhance the ambience of abundance you want.

You don’t need to hunt out rare species: many hardy climbers fit the look.

42 YOUR PERFECT GARDEN

THE BEST Colour For pops of brilliant colour choose permanent plants that fit the exotic look with vivid flowers and bold foliage. Cape fuchsias (phygelius) are stronggrowing evergreen shrubs with orange, deep pink or yellow flowers. Kniphofia, the red hot poker, has striking, colourful blooms and Verbena bonariensis adds purple accents.

Dicksonia antarctica (tree fern) Gives an instantly tropical feel with its strong presence.

It prefers shade, but protect it in winter with hessian.

H: 10m (32.8ft) TIP: Water into the crown of the leaves.

EXOTIC GARDEN STYLE TIPS ● Create an evergreen backdrop. ● Use chunky materials like timber, stone and slate for features. ● Plot a winding path through the plants to a seating area. ● Add water – a pool, stream or waterfall. ● Choose some tall, eye-catching architectural plants with contrasting forms and textures. ● Plant an undergrowth with ferns, grasses and tough perennials. ● Dot colours with evergreen perennials and tender plants. ● Use container displays for tender exotics.

EXOTIC POTS Containers are ideal for tender plants like citrus (eg, lemon) that live outside in summer, and come back indoors for winter. This means you can go for exotic style even if you only have a patio. Make a feature of your container displays in summer, grouping your pots prominently on the patio or deck. Remember to bring them inside before the frosts!

Eucomis bicolor (pineapple lily) A tropical-looking bulb, with striking, tufted foliage and upright flower clusters in late summer. Likes a sunny spot.

Astelia chathamica

Scent Jasmine is semi-evergreen and scented too, with white flowers in summer. Akebia, the chocolate vine, looks tropical with its dark brown scented flowers, but tolerates shade.

Foliage In sun, try the gorgeous purple grapevine with its claret autumn tints. Parthenocissus, (Chinese Virginia creeper) has great autumn colour too.

Happiest in shade, this silvery, strapleaved shrub is a New Zealand native needing protection in the winter.

Aeonium ‘Zwartkop’ This alien-looking succulent slowly grows into a many-headed ‘tree’.

It will love the sunniest place you can find.

Phormium (New Zealand flax)

Cordyline (Torbay palm)

Phyllostachys nigra (black bamboo)

Fatsia japonica (castor oil plant)

Phormiums lend drama to exotic schemes with bold, sword-shaped foliage. A real focal-point plant.

H: 1.5m (4.9ft) TIP: You can plant in pots.

Cordylines don’t mind partial shade and grow slowly into palm-like trees.

H: 7m (23ft) TIP: Choose a purple, green, or a variegated form.

Great for screening, this variety forms clumps, so won’t spread.

H: 4m (13.1ft) TIP: Cut off lower leaves to show off the dark stems.

Easy to grow, and happy in shade, fatsia also has striking midwinter flowers. ‘Spider’s Web’ is a variegated form.

H: 3m (9.8ft) TIP: Cut off old leaves in spring.

WORDS: GERALDINE SWEENEY. PHOTOS: ALAMY; GETTY

tropical style plants

YOUR PERFECT GARDEN 43

FACT FILE THE DETAILS Philippa Beaumont and her husband Alasdair live in a Victorian terraced house in York, with a small courtyard-style rear garden and a side return.

THE CHALLENGE To create an inviting space they’d be able to relax in.

It was overgrown when the couple moved in, with some features that needed removing altogether.

The garden’s 7.6x4.6m (24.9x15.1ft) size meant that the layout had to planned meticulously to utilise the limited space in the best way possible. It also felt very exposed, with neighbours having a full view of the garden.

Small VICTORIES Alasdair and Philippa Beaumont weren’t going to let a tiny plot stop them having the garden of their dreams

THE PLAN To replace outdated features, such as crazy paving and uninspiring beds with a lush, tropical outdoor room, designed with specific spaces for eating and relaxing. The couple’s love of tropical climates, awakened by a romantic honeymoon to Thailand, meant that they were keen to have their own slice of outdoor paradise.

WORDS: CAROLINE FOSTER. PHOTOS: ALASDAIR MCINTOSH, ALAMY

BEFORE

ackling the garden came at the end of a two-year house renovation for Alasdair and Philippa Beaumont.

‘We’d left it until last so that we had a place to store all the building materials – it was a dumping ground,’ says Philippa.

Overlooked by neighbours, the garden measured just 7.6mx4.6m (24.9x15.1ft) and had beds around the edges that made it seem even

T The garden lacked style and privacy

44 YOUR PERFECT GARDEN

smaller. ‘It felt very uninviting, with damaged crazy paving, and was horribly overgrown,’ says Philippa. ‘Its only saving graces were the original redbrick Victorian walls and a tall hedge at the bottom.’

The couple set aside a budget of £5,000 ($6,950) for a professional to tackle the project. ‘You wouldn’t blink at spending thousands on a bathroom, so we see this as an investment,’ says Philippa.

We love Tree ferns They give height, privacy and dappled shade – they’re also hardy, low-maintenance and tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions.

Zoning out The small garden has been divided into two zones, with decking nearest the house and paving in the second half, plus gaps for planting.

Two-day tour de force ‘We worked out a budget, which included all the materials plus a contingency for plants.’

The job went to Harry and David Rich of Rich Landscapes (richlandscapes.net). ‘They understood immediately that we wanted a garden for dining and entertaining, and that we also needed more privacy,’ says Philippa. ‘We were excited by their ideas to include tree ferns and create two separate areas

within the garden.

‘Hard landscaping shouldn’t do much talking – it should be in the background to allow the plants to make the statement,’ says David Rich.

Including Alasdair, a team of eight completed the entire transformation in just two days. Now the garden is totally unrecognisable!’

45

A mosaic or terrazzo-topped table is perfect for all weathers

Dining out The couple can step from their kitchen to this timber-decked dining area. ‘We don’t have a kitchen table, so this is the perfect place to have coffee or breakfast in warmer months,’ says Philippa.

46 YOUR PERFECT GARDEN

LIGHT MY FIRE

Grasses are great for edging paths

With a portable firepit, any corner of the garden can be made cosier.

Border control An easy and low-maintenance way to fill borders is to plant hardy grasses for movement and a lush, languid feel.

Original feature Keeping the Victorian wall was a must for the couple.

‘The red bricks add a natural warmth and wildflowers have embedded themselves in the loose pointing,’ says Philippa.

‘They flower at different times of the year and we never know what’s going to appear, but it’s lovely to have that surprise.’

Horizontal decking

Licence to lounge ‘At the far end of the garden, there’s a snug little seating zone, which is gorgeous in the evening with the firepit glowing.

You feel like you’ve made a real journey to get there, even though it’s literally just a few paces away,’ says Philippa.

Laying the planks this way as opposed to lines going along the vertical plane creates an optical illusion and makes a narrow garden look wider.

Bargain seating Instead of buying cheap furniture, the couple bought good-quality seats secondhand from Gumtree.

3 of the best... TROPICAL PLANTS

Sedums create subtle splashes of colour in beds

Aloe vera Best grown in pots and moved indoors in cold weather. Keep in full sun, in well-drained loamy soil.

Cordyline Can grow to 10m

Tree fern Ideal for adding (32.8ft) tall, but smaller height to a sheltered spot as varieties are suitable for pots. they can rise – very slowly – Happy in full sun or light shade. up to a whopping 6m high.

YOUR PERFECT GARDEN 47

Low-maintenance

GARDEN IDEAS Spend more time relaxing and less time working in your outdoor space with these clever design solutions re you just too busy for lengthy gardening jobs? These lowmaintenance garden ideas are the answer. They’ll allow you to do more of the things you enjoy in your plot and less of those that you don’t. So that means more relaxing, and far less time weeding – hooray!

If you’re starting from scratch, a low-maintenance garden is a fairly easy goal to achieve. But, if you’re struggling to keep on top of what you’ve already got, there’s a simple solution. All you need to do is work out which gardening tasks currently take up a lot of your time and effort, and which you least enjoy doing. Then, find ways to either ditch those jobs altogether, or at least to minimise the time you need to spend on them. It can be done.

There are bound to be some garden tasks you find really rewarding but that are nevertheless quite timeconsuming, so start by making a ‘priorities list’ of jobs you’re happy to continue with. Do you love growing your own veg, for example? To give you more time for that, other garden tasks need to be streamlined or simplified. Take a look at these ideas for inspiration.

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Deck it out Decking makes an attractive, hard-wearing surface for seating areas and it’s also a good replacement for labour-intensive patches of lawn. But if it’s wooden, it’s by no means maintenancefree. Wood lookalikes are the perfect solution.

Composite decking is manufactured from recycled material, and resists fading, staining, scratching and mould. It won’t rot, warp, crack or splinter and just a simple soap and water cleaning every now and again is all that’s needed to keep it looking like new for years.

Lawns are great, but when it comes to mowing – not so much. So, for a lowmaintenance ground to your plot, why not try paving?

From porcelain pavers to natural stone slabs, paving adds a stylish surface to any garden, and is fuss-free to look after. You will just need to give it a quick clean now and then to prevent it becoming slippery over time.

Love plants, but don’t always have time to water? Don’t worry, there’s an easy-peasy solution – self-watering pots!

Complete with in-built reservoirs, these sustainable containers will allow you to enjoy your plants without reaching for the watering can so often, for fear of them drying out. There’s no need to worry about overwatering either, due to their nifty design.

Narrow enough to fit on the smallest of windowsills or shelves, they’re perfect for a miniature herb garden.

Pick drought tolerant plants Even the keenest of gardeners will admit that having to water once, and sometimes twice, a day at the height of summer can become very tedious.

However, if your garden soil

tends to bake dry, as often happens with clay, see it as a plus point rather than a negative. Instead of trying to keep it moist, fill it with drought-tolerant plants that will thrive without additional watering instead – try eryngiums and lavender, for example.

Raise your beds Make your life easier by swapping your ground-level beds to raised beds as it will instantly make everyday gardening tasks such as planting and weeding far less arduous. If you’re building your raised beds from scratch, you can choose the best height and width that works for you. There are also plenty of DIY kits available too.

For a more rustic look, leave them as natural wood as the timber will soften in colour over time. Alternatively, you may prefer to paint them in a coloured wood stain to suit your garden style – this can also have the added benefit of protecting the wood to ensure it lasts for longer.

YOUR PERFECT GARDEN

PHOTOS (CLOCKWISE FROM OPPOSITE PAGE): CUPRINOL; DOBBIES, ELHO, WOODBLOCX’ GETTY IMAGES

Go simple with paving

Use selfwatering pots

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Keep lawns low maintenance Keeping a lawn looking good is arguably the most timeconsuming of all garden jobs.

But, you could consider having just a small area of short grass in the most formal area of garden and leaving the rest to become wilder and more natural. All you then need to do is mow it just once a year at the end of summer.

If you do want to keep your whole lawn area regularly mown and you don’t mind splashing out a little, robot lawn mowers will do all the work for you. It can be programmed to head out at pre-set times, before taking itself back to its charging station when it’s finished – and you don’t even need to be at home at the time.

Include easycare shrubs Of all the plants that you could have in your garden, shrubs are the ones you are more likely to be able to put in and more or less forget about.

Once they’re established, shrubs will usually only need watering in the very driest of summers, if at all. Other than that, an occasional light pruning will be all that’s required.

For amazing summer scent in a sunny part of the garden, you can’t beat Philadelphus ‘Belle Etoile’, while hydrangeas (now very fashionable again) are perfect for shady spots.

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Add a mix of containers One of the best ways to add colour and interest to your garden is to go for a mix of pots and containers. Choose easy-to-care-for plants and all you’ll need to do is occasionally water and prune them. This idea works particularly well in small spaces too, and you could even try growing a few varieties of veg and fruit in pots on your patio.

To keep the look interesting, go for a pots in a range of colours and sizes, then mix it up further by choosing plants in varying heights to quickly transform your outdoor space.

Suppress weeds

Try adding gravel If you decide to replace your lawn with hard landscaping, be sure you choose a permeable surface that allows rainwater to drain away safely. This is especially important in front gardens, where there are now laws that restrict how much of the space can be changed to hard

landscaping (this is to ensure less surface water drains onto roads, potentially causing flooding).

Gravel is a good, lowmaintenance option for attractive, permeable hard landscaping and can look wonderful with sun-loving plants in or around it. But be sure to use a weedsuppressing membrane underneath it to ensure upkeep is minimal.

PHOTOS (CLOCKWISE FROM OPPOSITE PAGE TOP LEFT): FUTURE; DOBBIES; FUTURE; DOUGLAS GIBB/FUTURE; GETTY IMAGES

Weeding can be one of the most soul-destroying of garden tasks, but there are two key ways to keep them at bay. One is mulching – laying a thick layer of well-rotted manure, garden compost, leaf mould or composted bark around your plants.

As well as locking in moisture, a mulch also blocks the light, meaning that weeds won’t come to the surface.

The other key to a weed-free garden is dense planting – where there’s a plant, there won’t be a weed. So, pack every border and you will notice a big reduction in the time you need to spend your hands and knees, pulling out that pesky chickweed.

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Easy

planting If your idea of a dream garden is one where you spend time sitting down enjoying it, you need our guide to low-maintenance gardening...

Cut down on Go faux weeding

Slate is great for covering bare soil 52 YOUR PERFECT GARDEN

Choose materials such as slate and chippings to cover areas of bare soil that can quickly turn into weed beds. On planted areas, opt for a heavy duty weed control fabric that can be cut to fit around any planting and cover it with a thick layer of bark chippings to smarten up the space. As well as looking professional, it will save time and effort as it creates an effective barrier to weeds.

You could even take it one step further and choose artificial plants. There are some realistic-looking ones around now that will look fab dotted in among your real plants.

Low effort If you don’t have a lot of spare time, you’ll want to get the most out of your space with minimal effort. It could be time to step back and look at how to make your garden more hassle free, especially if summer was an endless loop of watering, weeding and dead-heading, This means a space where you can unwind instead of keeping on top of endless chores if you

want things to look good. With a few easy switches, you can transform your garden into more of a relaxation zone.

Instant results Look out for ready-planted containers from the supermarket or garden centre you can bring home and slot into gaps. This is the best low-maintenance planting of all, where it’s already been done for you.

Try supermarkets for a range of seasonal offerings. Opt for plants that are hassle free, will bounce back if you neglect them and quietly do their own thing for months on end.

Easy containers

Long lasting interest

Choose the largest pots you can find and group them together. As well as making an eye-catching statement, watering them and tidying up is easier as it’s all in one place.

Another benefit is that there’s only so much growing plants can do in a pot, which cuts down on the amount of pruning needed. Always choose containers you can plant then forget about. Avoid wood – which needs regular maintenance – ceramic and terracotta, which aren’t always frost-free so can crack. The latest maintenancefree styles are made from weatherproof resin that looks just like stoneware. Even better, they are lightweight and some have discreet wheels to make your task easier.

Evergreens tend to be a good choice as they add year-round interest and as long as you give them a quick tidy with the secateurs every now and then, won’t get out of control. If you want height and screening, opt for a non-invasive variety of black bamboo that will thrive, even if you completely ignore it.

Black bamboo can thrive, even if ignored

Viburnum ‘Aurora’ is easy to look after

TIPS FOR A FUSSFREE GARDEN Avoid leaving patches of bare soil at all costs as they will soon fill with weeds. Plant as densely as you can.

Garden organically to increase biodiversity and manage problems with pests and disease the natural way.

Think about storing rainwater by collecting it from the roof of your house, shed and any other outbuildings. Have several water butts around the garden to maximise the benefits without having to trek to a tap.

Plant perennials, which come back year after year. Once established, they can be divided to fill empty spots and prevent weeds spreading.

Always design a lowmaintenance garden according to aspect. If your garden faces north don’t waste time and money trying to cultivate sunloving plants.

Grow vegetables, herbs and salad crops near the kitchen door for easy access when you’re cooking.

Keep your tools prepped.

Blunt shears and secateurs will make your pruning tasks a slog.

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● Need training up an obelisk or staking for support. ● Require regular dead-heading to keep the flowers coming. ● Only thrive with specialised feeding, spraying or complicated pruning such as wisteria. ● Slugs like to demolish such as hostas. ● Quickly run out of control such as rampant Clematis montana grandiflora and ‘mile a minute’ Russian vine.

Grow herbs near your kitchen

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WORDS: SARAH WILSON. PHOTOS: ALAMY; GETTY

STEER CLEAR OF PLANTS THAT…

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T he parasol means that the levels of sun and shade can be altered with ease

FACT FILE THE DETAILS Adam Cossey lives here with his wife Irenie and their children, Olivia, Jake, and Clara. Their garden is rectangular and sits behind a semi-detached period house in Islington, north London.

THE CHALLENGE To link the exterior seamlessly with the new single-storey extension, which was being built at the back of the house.

THE PLAN The family wanted a multi-level design, which was easy to maintain. The children needed space for growing things and ball games, while Adam and his wife could enjoy being out there, too.

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Going

GREEN Re-planning their garden in tandem with building a new extension helped Adam and Irenie Cossey create a flexible outdoor space for all the family

Strong foundations The garden boundaries of hedging and shrubs keep the garden looking lush all year round

Border favourite White Cosmos will give plenty of blooms

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Cabin

Lawn

5 4 3 2 Patio

1 House

1 Dining area 2 Potted plants 3 Steps 4 Built-in bench

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ur plan was for the garden to link smoothly to the interior, so, working with design company Modular (modular.london) we dug down and outwards at the back. This made room for a kitchen extension that could open seamlessly onto a big patio, with steps leading up to the lawn,’ says Adam. Bushes and trees lend the garden a leafy, established feel, with ferns and climbers masking the boundary fencing. A

beautiful native hornbeam acts as a focal point at the end of the grass, and planting has been planned to ensure the colour keeps coming from early spring through to autumn.

‘I tried to include long-lasting varieties like verbenas and salvias, plus ornamental grasses, to add a bit of height,’ says Adam.

By day the garden is a place for everyone to relax, eat and enjoy the outdoors, then after dark, festoon lighting makes for a special atmosphere around the table, while spot

seating 5 Basketball hoop 6 Cabin

‘By day, it’s a place to relax; after dark, lighting creates a warm atmosphere’

Pleasant views The wide glass doors needed a nice outlook

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Being tucked away in s a quiet corner make this playhouse feel more magical

Little and large The kids have their own al fresco seating area

We love…

lights pick out some of the larger trees. ‘Even if it’s chilly and the doors are closed, you can have the lights on and still enjoy the garden from inside,’ says Adam. ‘It makes the house feel larger, too.’

The garden was designed to be a seamless extension of the house, so its clean, simple lines reflect the modern extension and the interior’s contemporary but welcoming style.

and a big favourite with Adam’s youngsters, who enjoy having their own area to play in.

Neat, low-clipped hedges of box add structure to the garden, dividing the patio area from the lawn.

Create zones Established in a big planter for extra height, fragrant climbers and leafy ferns form a soft, scented backdrop to the dining table, adding an enclosed and inviting feel to the space.

Plant-packed beds, established trees and high hedges make the garden feel lush and secluded, while the split-level layout helps create different zones, adding interest and making the space appear larger.

‘Clean, simple lines reflect the modern extension’

A place to play Tucked in a shady corner at the back of the garden, this pretty pale blue play house, from The Children’s Cottage Company, is a fun feature 56 YOUR PERFECT GARDEN

Lush foliage Adam’s garden has a strong evergreen element right down to the containers

3 of the best…

BORDER PLANTS

ASTRANTIA MAJOR The variety ‘Large White’ flowers midsummer and grows to almost 1m (3.3ft) tall. Its green-tipped petals add texture and form.

Step up The split-level layout helps create different zones

VIOLA Producing dainty flowers between autumn and spring, these fully hardy plants look charming trailing from planters.

Relaxing spot

FEATURE AND STYLING: ANNABELLE GRUNDY PHOTOS: COLIN POOLE/FUTURE CONTENT HUB

The built-in bench creates extra seating

AGAPANTHUS Also known as an African lily, its globes of trumpetshaped flowers appear from July to September and enjoy a sunny spot.

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Front

GARDEN IDEAS These design tips and tricks are guaranteed to instantly improve your home’s kerb appeal

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prucing up your home to boost its kerb appeal? Our front garden ideas will give you all the inspiration you need to transform your outside space. As the first thing we see when we come home, our front garden sets the tone for our house, as well as creating that all-important first impression for family and friends when they come to visit.

What’s more, if you’re thinking of selling your home, you’ll want to make sure the exterior of your property is looking its best. After all, there’s no point the interior of your home looking amazing if potential buyers are already put off by the time they’ve reached the front door.

When it comes to the size of your space, even the smallest of front gardens can be transformed with some clever design tricks, turning a bland and uninspiring garden into somewhere that looks stylish and well-cared-for.

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Set up a spot for dining If your front garden gets all the sun, then make the most of it with a bistro set out there so you still enjoy sunny meals alfresco. If privacy is an issue, put up some willow screening or trellis to create a little dining nook. A wellpositioned potted tree would also work to make your spot feel a little more secluded.

Give your front door a lush frame with a climber such as wisteria, which will overflow with those much-adored fragrant lilac blooms in spring.

To trail around the door, provide support in the form of wires or trellis, and make sure to keep on top of pruning to keep this vigorous climber under control or your may end up with a Secret Garden-esque hidden door! Prune twice a year in July/August and January/February.

Jump on the geo trend with a pathway tiled smartly with outdoor tiles that feature a simple geometric design in muted colours. This classic pattern recalls Victorian style floors, but is given a modern makeover thanks to the simple shapes and pared-back palette. Pair with a bold colour for your door and gate such as a striking mid blue/teal.

Create a country cottage feel Tall, lush planting either side of the pathway up to your front door will recreate the mood of a romantic

Decorate with hanging baskets Hanging baskets are a great solution for even the smallest of front gardens – pop up one or two by your front door to immediately make the space look more welcoming. Bright and colourful is the key, and popular plants include petunia, begonia, geranium and fuchsia. For trailing plants you can’t go wrong with verbena, ivy or bacopa. Don’t be mean with watering, as hanging baskets dry out very quickly – make watering a regular habit and you’ll be rewarded with a colourful display whenever you step out of the front door.

countryside setting. You could combine small trees and shrubs with ferns and wildflowers such as foxgloves, and use cobbles or flagstones for the path for the perfect country idyll.

PHOTOS (CLOCKWISE FROM OPPOSITE PAGE): POLLY ELTES/FUTURE; FUTURE; FUTURE; SPIKE POWELL/FUTURE; ANNAICK GUITTENY/FUTURE

Trail a climber around the door

Tile your front path

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Repaint your front door One of the best ways to give the front of your home a brand new look is to repaint your front door.

Swapping a neutral tone or plain wood finish for a colourful, on-trend shade will make your exterior stand out from the crowd.

For best results painting wooden front doors, thoroughly clean the door first to remove any dirt, dust or grease, then scrape off any loose paint and lightly sand the door to create a good surface for the new paint to adhere to. Apply two coats of your chosen exterior wood paint and you’re photo ready.

Play with angles A great garden path idea is to set a paved path at a diagonal for an informal feel, and go for different planting options on either side.

A zigzag of box topiary balls feels looser than a straight line, then choose country-style planting on the opposite side of the path for contrast, and let it spill over to soften the straight edge.

Pull up a pew Invite guests to settle down for a good natter (cuppa or G&T optional), with a well-placed garden bench in your front garden. Make it bright and welcoming, with seat cushions in bold fabrics and surround it with pots and hanging baskets full of flowers in coordinating colours for a pulled-together look.

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Pretty up window ledges

Group succulents in pots For a low maintenance garden idea that’ll provide a striking display next to your front door year round, opt for sempervivums, hardy alpine succulents which

come in a whole rainbow of colours. These love a sunny spot, and you don’t even need to remember to water them as they can survive without watering for months over the summer.

Most sempervivums are frost hardy so they can stay in their spot all winter, too.

PHOTOS (CLOCKWISE FROM OPPOSITE PAGE TOP LEFT): DULUX; LIZZE ORME/FUTURE; MARK SCOTT/FUTURE; JASON INGRAM/FUTURE; FUTURE

Filling your windowsills with blooms means the display can be enjoyed from inside and out – a double win! Traditional window boxes are great, but for an even simpler solution, pop some pots on the ledge and fill with plants that suit the window’s orientation, whether its best for shade-lovers or sun-thrivers. Pick a pot style that reflects your look – concrete-effect planters are great for an urban vibe, or go for traditional designs for a more formal feel.

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Beautiful

BASKETS Smarten up your front garden with hanging baskets that will burst with blooms from spring until the end of summer lanting up a hanging basket is an easy, enjoyable job for a spring day. In a few weeks’ time it will transform into a boule of tumbling foliage and flowers, and then remain a mass of cheering colour throughout summer. Adding foliage plants such as compact carex, silver-leaved artemisia or purple sage, and incorporating flowers in striking colours like burgundy or orange are two simple updates. Single blooms are also good – they not only look more contemporary but will provide for wildlife, too.

For those who like to keep things simple, there are lots of plants that look good in a basket on their own. Trailing begonias (such as Devotion) or Lotus berthelotii provide a touch of the exotic. Or try a procumbent (groundcover) rose such as the red-flowered Suffolk, which attracts bees and hoverflies.

Finally, if you love growing your own – particularly important for many given the events of 2020 – there are edible crops that thrive in hanging baskets. Seek out trailing rosemary, mint and thyme, as well as dwarf and trailing forms of strawberry (Just Add Cream is a good

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pick), tomato (‘Tumbler’ and ‘Hundreds and Thousands’ are both excellent) and blackberry (try ‘Black Cascade’).

Once you’ve planted it up you can ensure your basket looks good for months by deadheading and watering regularly: never let it dry out.

And, once a week, add liquid tomato food to the watering can. Take these simple steps and your hanging display will be a mass of flowers all summer long.

Line baskets with recycled plastic or coconut fibre

BASKET RECIPES COTTAGE STYLE +

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Diascia ‘Apricot Queen’ Produces its pretty peachapricot flowers from June to October; ideal for well-drained, moist baskets in sun or semi-shade. Protect from slug damage if your basket will be positioned against the wall (rather than hanging free).

H: 30cm (1ft)

Pelargonium ‘Pink Capricorn’

Lathyrus odoratus var. nanellus ‘Pink Cupid’

Gorgeous mauve-pink flowers will adorn this gently trailing pelargonium for months – just as long as you grow it in sun and keep deadheading. The leaves have a delicious scent of lemon and rose. Sometimes sold as ‘Pink Capitatum’. H: 45cm (1.5ft)

A dwarf sweet pea that looks lovely tumbling down from a hanging basket. Cutting the scented flowers will encourage it to produce more – over a long period. Needs a moist, well-drained basket in sun. H: 20cm (8in)

COLOUR POP +

Petunia ‘Viva Red’ The bright crimson trumpets glow red in the sun, while the gently trailing habit and long-flowering period make it ideal for summer baskets. For a similar effect in a darker red, Tidal Wave Red Velour is your best bet. H: 30cm (1ft)

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Calibrachoa ‘Can-can Black Cherry’

Pelargonium ‘Rouletta’ Admired for producing very long trailing stems, these white flowers are edged with carmine so they stand out well against ivy-leaved foliage.

A trailing gem for welldrained baskets in sheltered sun. H: 30cm (12in)

Rich and velvety, the blooms are maroon-black with golden throats, and plants have a gently trailing habit. Longflowering and robust; ideal for well-drained baskets in sheltered sun. H: 15cm (6in)

WILDLIFE WONDER +

Convolvulus sabatius

Glandularia ‘Sissinghurst’

The blue rock bindweed (sometimes C. mauritanicus) is a trailing plant that lures bees and butterflies to its funnelshaped lavender-blue flowers throughout summer. Performs best in sheltered sun. H: 20cm (8in)

Butterflies will visit the cheering clusters of magentapink flowers that coat this trailing vervain (you might find it sold as Verbena ‘Sissinghurst’) from May to November. Remember to keep deadheading. Full sun. H: 20cm (8in)

Heliotropium arborescens ‘Marine’ Heliotropes are frost-tender shrubs known as ‘cherry pie’, describing the perfume of the flowers. ‘Marine’ is compact compared. Grow in a welldrained basket that is kept moist, in sun or semi-shade.

NB: Always wash your hands after handling. H: 30cm (1ft)

WORDS: HAZEL SILVER. PHOTOS: ALAMY; GETTY

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OUTDOOR

LIVING SPACES Want to make the most of summer living? Follow our tips and create an open-air chill-out zone that’s built for soaking up those gorgeous rays…

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ome renovations have a bad habit of stuffing up your holiday plans. Let’s face it – the minute you sign those mortgage papers, there’s always going to be something more sensible to blow your pay packet on than flights to the Maldives, or even Majorca. It’s possible that the last time you hit Ibiza, Zoe Ball and Norman Cook still ruled the It crowd. Happily, you needn’t sacrifice that long-

awaited bathroom revamp to enjoy some alfresco chill-out time. By taking a ‘living room’ approach to your garden design, you can while away lazy Sundays outdoors in unprecedented comfort (once you’re done repainting the hallway, obvs).

Admittedly, the concept of creating a living room in the garden still sounds a bit continental, a.k.a. ‘Not British’.

And we do have to tread with a little more caution when

selecting furniture and fittings than those who don’t see a raincloud from one winter to the next. But months of unrelenting sunshine isn’t essential, or even that desirable (honest).

You’re aiming for a relaxing place to lounge outside, and there’s nothing relaxing about risking sunstroke. It’s wise to consider including a shady element to your scheme. There are lots of cheap and easy solutions like

Garden furniture, from a selection at Ikea Garden lighting extends how long you stay outdoors in the evenings and sets the mood for relaxing or entertaining. Stringing lights under a parasol can add twinkle, while a group of lanterns will bring romance. Any electric lighting should be IP45 rated (Ingress Protection) for outdoor use. For extra design points, add uplighters under trees or shrubs and illuminate water features for a magical visual effect.

Windermere artificial grass from Carpetright 64 YOUR PERFECT GARDEN

Ditch the lawnmower – faux grass will give you a lush maintenancefree lawn all year round. Proper installation is essential: without sufficient drainage and weed control, sogginess and unwanted plant life will soon set in.

Softer pile designs feel more authentic but harder materials are best for high traffic use like the kids’ football pitch. It’s worth ordering a sample or buying in store to get an accurate idea of the colour. Avoid bright, acidic greens, as seen in your local butcher’s, and seek out olive greens that won’t look unnaturally verdant come winter.

WORDS LINDA CLAYTON

parasols and sails, but if you’re really taking outdoor living seriously, go for a more permanent solution. A wooden pergola with open rafters covered in evergreen wisteria and vines will add an air of Jane Austen-esque romance to the proceedings, and is a fairly easy DIY solution. Just make sure it’s securely bolted to the ground, particularly if you value your fancy new bi-folding doors.

Ideally your biggest investment pieces – the modular seating and out-sized coffee table – should be capable of weathering a few showers, but the key to successful outdoor living is softness and comfort. We’re talking rugs, cushions, even a few liberally scattered sheepskins. Do make sure you have somewhere to store it all overnight, though – there’s nothing like the smell of damp to ruin your joie de vivre. Many garden furniture ranges include storage under the seats, but a plastic box in the garage or understairs cupboard will do.

It’s not beyond the pale to schlep your indoor cushions outside by day, then back in again when it’s time to get your Netflix hit.

Finally, don’t forget to decorate. You wouldn’t leave your living room walls bare, so dress your outdoor space up with metal signage, distressed wood prints and plenty of greenery in pretty pots.

Anything goes – as long as it’s rainproof that is…

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Don’t toil in the kitchen while everyone’s outside enjoying the sunshine. A permanent outdoor kitchen with plumbing, drainage and electrics can cost thousands, but you can achieve a similar vibe by building around a barbecue and insetting a washing up bowl, with water from the garden hose, for much less.

Covering in winter will help it last. Build using UVstable, frost- and flameproof materials, like stone, teak and marine-grade steel. Worktops and shelving will benefit from a gentle gradient to channel away rainwater.

Left Cantilever parasol and outdoor accessories, all from Dunelm

Weatherproof and non-slip, an outdoor rug brings a welcome splash of colour and pattern to outdoor living. The best versions are completely washable (some can be pressure washed) and fade resistant.

Synthetic rugs tend to be toughest, while natural fibres like sisal, jute and seagrass offer texture and sound absorption.

Below Garden design by Landform Consultants. Try Sustainable Furniture for timber outdoor bar furniture

Get the party started with a fully stocked cocktail bar in your garden. Great for making light work of knocking up an Aperol Spritz (yes please), a bar area requires a lot less space than most outdoor dining table sets and can be used to serve buffet-style food, while still leaving plenty of room for dancing.

Include an ice trough – an old sink will do – to keep the beers chilled, or invest in an outdoor fridge if you really want to impress.

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For the ultimate in budgetfriendly shading, a simple shade sail is the answer.

Choose one that offers UPF 50, which blocks more than 98 per cent of UV rays, and go for a waterproof sail (rather than just water resistant) if you want to leave it up all summer.

Breathable sails let heat escape through the fabric without letting UV rays in, but they are less water resistant. If you don’t have a suitable anchor point, such as a sturdy tree or wall, you can buy steel sail poles, plus a steel holder that’s sunk into the ground.

Suns Memphis six-seater luxury outdoor lounge set with adjustable coffee table, Out & Out

Opting for upholstered furniture? Choose products specifically designed for outdoor use as they’re built to cope with bad weather.

Lighter colours are less prone to fading in direct sunlight, but if you go dark, check the fabric’s lightfastness grade – anything above five is acceptable.

Read the care and maintenance guidelines before you buy. Some will require cushions to be stored inside overnight, while others are fit to be left outside.

Choosing the location of your new outdoor living space based on views alone is a common mistake. It might not be impossible to achieve it all, but the ideal spot will be sheltered from the wind, take in the afternoon sun and be near enough to the house to avoid excessive schleps back and forth in search of nourishment or the loo.

Prevailing winds come from the south-west and west, so try to locate any windbreaks or fencing in that direction.

A retractable awning – try ManoMano – can shield a seating area on windy days without permanently obstructing the views.

Above Furniture and accessories, all Dobbies Left Seating painted in Brassica and planter painted in Calke Green exterior eggshell, both Farrow & Ball YOUR PERFECT GARDEN 67

Time to go

ALFRESCO! Take your outdoor cooking up a level with an outdoor kitchen that’s perfect for cooking up a storm on a hot summer’s day

Learn...

ovens, outdoor sinks with taps and even fridges.

What are the essentials?

Whatever your space, start with a barbecue with a work surface/countertop beside it. Choose between a gas or charcoal barbecue, bearing in mind that gas will be easier to keep clean and gives you the option of using it year round. If your budget allows, look for a design that features a rotisserie for slow-roasting meats – great for summer barbecues or Sunday lunches. Storage cabinets are always a handy extra for stashing utensils and cookware, while other optional add-ons can include pizza 68 YOUR PERFECT GARDEN

Where’s the best place to install one?

As a rule, outdoor kitchens are best situated fairly close to the house and always on level decking or a patio. Look to position yours against a brick wall (not wooden fencing, for obvious reasons) and try to keep it away from walkways.

Can I do it on a budget?

If you’re a keen DIYer, there’s nothing stopping you from building your own cooking area, incorporating a new barbecue (or your existing one) into the

design, with cabinets, worktops and shelving made from weatherproof materials such as wood, stainless steel and brick.

Heatproof tiles are a good addition if you want to add a decorative edge. Outdoor fridges tend to be pricey as they need to be watertight and weatherproof, so aren’t really an option for those on a budget – plus you’ll need an electrical supply. However, a sink or a cooler filled with ice is just as effective for parties.

If money is no object, what are my options?

There are now quite a few companies that will design and

install a whole outdoor kitchen for you, as well as looking after any wiring and plumbing.

According to Bradshaw Luxury, you should expect to pay around £9,600 ($13,460) for an outdoor kitchen complete with gas grill, fridge and sink.

What about weatherproofing?

Look at investing in goodquality covers to protect your kit from the elements. Wooden surfaces need to be cleaned and treated once a year and, if you have the space (and money), consider a wellventilated gazebo to shelter your kitchen year round.

Get inspired…

Garden style Outdoor Kitchen featuring Markham cabinetry in Iroko and Quartzite worktops, Humphrey Munson

The key to a successful outdoor kitchen is sufficient storage to stash everything where you need it. No need to run back and forth to the house every five minutes to grab the tongs or matches. Ideally you should opt for weatherproof (leakand frost-resist) storage for crockery and glassware, as well as cooking utensils and coal. Comfort is also essential to enjoyable outdoor living. ‘While textiles suitable for outdoor use should be capable of surviving the odd shower, it’s wise to include somewhere to store seat cushions overnight,’ adds Peter Humphrey, Design Director and Founder of Humphrey Munson. Many garden furniture ranges include storage under the seats. An airtight container inside one of your outdoor kitchen cupboards will work, too.

PHOTOS: FUTURE CONTENT HUB

Storage solutions

Keep your cool Remember the importance of shade when setting up an outdoor kitchen. Protecting yourself from the midday sun while flipping burgers is vital for skin protection and all-round comfort. In the UK it’s best to go for a flexible solution that can move with the sun and easily close down when not required.

A cantilever parasol is ideal for shading large areas without getting in the way.

Go for a gazebo for day-long sun protection, adding side panels to block breezes.

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Fully stocked Outdoor kitchen designed by Gaze Burvill, featuring Dekton Trilium worktops by Cosentino

Make use of natural shade

Get grilling ICBOG30 Outdoor Gas Grill, Wolf. Kitchen designed by Gaze Burvill, with Dekton Trilium worktops by Cosentino

Dress to impress Add a touch of flair with vertical planting which will help soften hard surfaces and can also be used to boost privacy or conceal an unsightly shed. Simple pot plants on sturdy shelves are easy to maintain. If you’re not green-fingered go faux with an artificial plant wall (try John Lewis). Don’t hide away cooking tools – tongs, chopping boards and serving dishes can all be used to add colour, shape and texture. Introduce rustic materials like terracotta pots, reclaimed timbers and weathered brass for natural design cohesion with surrounding garden.

70 YOUR PERFECT GARDEN

Small and compact Three Segment Concrete Outdoor Kitchen in light grey, WWOO UK

Perfectly portable Forno Gas Medio, Morsø

A movable feast Location is everything when installing a permanent outdoor kitchen, which should be near the house, out of the wind and close to water/electricity connections. However, this doesn’t always equal the best spot for al fresco dining, especially later in the evening as the sun goes down.

Going portable with your cooking element lets you be more flexible when it comes to dining locations and Use battery-powered ensures the chef is never left out of LEDs to softly the conversation. ‘A multifunctional illuminate as night barbecue that can be moved around falls and throw logs in your outdoor space is great for a firepit to keep tracking the sun and, pitched close to everyone the table, allows the cooking to become warm. part of the entertainment,’ adds Declan Kingsley-Walsh, MD of Morsø UK.

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Slow build-up Fully loaded, permanent outdoor kitchens can prove costly particular when paid for in one hit.

Spread the investment by opting for a modular system that can be added to over time. Starting small will also give you a chance to assess what you actually need, and use. WWOO’s concrete outdoor kitchens come in 1.5m (4.9ft) wide segments and can be built up as your outdoor cooking confidence grows. A wide variety of equipment can be incorporated, such as barbecues, pizza ovens, South African-style open-fire braai, sinks, and even a wine fridge.

Long and thin Four Segment Concrete Outdoor Kitchen in light grey, WWOO UK

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Outdoor

BAR IDEAS Looking for outdoor bar ideas? Get that holiday feel at home with these inspiring ways to party in the garden ith these outdoor bar ideas you can create your very own bar in the garden this summer, and we think now is a good a time as any to make it a reality. There are looks to suit all styles and budgets, from DIY wooden bars to make you feel like your own bartender, to chic pieces of garden furniture for a more contemporary, Mediterranean vibe. There’s also plenty of options if you have a smaller garden too. So pour yourself a gin or a chilled glass of wine and have a look through our outdoor ideas to get inspired to create one for yourself.

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Covert a shed into a garden bar If you have got a summerhouse or shed that’s seen better days or one that you just don’t use that much anymore, give it a new lease of life and turn it into an outdoor bar. Give it a good clean, a new coat of paint and then just get

72 YOUR PERFECT GARDEN

decorating. You could remove a side window to create the bar opening and simply add a piece or timber or even a reclaimed scaffold plank to the side (painted to match the colour of the shed) to make the bar counter. Add some bar stool and accessories and your new party space is good to go.

Create a handy grab-and-go drinks station

Roll out a drinks trolley

If you are after a place to keep your drinks cold and accessible outside, a simple metal trough filled with ice is an old-school trick. If you want to take it up a notch, however, opt for something like this high table. It comes with a specially designed central steel trough that can filled with ice and drinks for your garden parties. At other times, you can also fill it with flowers for a pretty display.

Create a tropical vibe It will always feel like you’re on holiday at home with this set-up in your garden. If you’re handy at DIY, it would be simple to make a basic

Lighten up Lighting is an integral part of any outdoor bar experience, so give your alfresco space some instant ambience by adding some atmosphere after the sun has set with a mix of lighting. Fairy lights, festoons and lanterns are the easiest way to illuminate your space, and solar designs are perfect if you can’t connect to a mains power supply. Want to go further? Opt for furniture with built-in LED lighting, such as this contemporary table, and you’ll get to enjoy some added glow for cocktail hour.

construction such as this. Tuck it into the corner of your garden and you’ll only need to add lower panels on two sides of the design too. Add vibrant pops of colour with fun furniture and drinks accessories in statement shades.

PHOTOS (CLOCKWISE FROM OPPOSITE PAGE): FUTURE; GARDEN TRADING; GARDEN TRADING; LIME LACE; FUTURE;

Take your bar with you wherever you go in the garden, thanks to a drinks trolley. It saves you having to keep going into the house to top up drinks and looks very stylish too. This one is designed to be used outside so it won’t rust. It carries a lot too – pop your bottles and mixers on the bottom and then glasses and ice on the top. Great for small gardens too, and come winter just incorporate it into your living room or kitchen.

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Opt for spacesaving furniture If you have a small garden, that doesn’t mean you can’t still jump on the garden bar bandwagon. Combine a table and ice bucket in one design and you have a compact bar that’s perfect for balconies and small patios. This clever design features a tabletop that be lifted up to reveal a built-in ice bucket underneath that’s perfect for chilling your beers and wine. There’s a handy drain at the bottom to make it easy to empty it once all the ice has melted too.

Use a high table and bar stools for a simple fix A quick way to create an outdoor bar is to pick out some bar stools and a high table to pop on your patio or decking area. You can always bring them inside too during the winter for some extra surface space and seating in the kitchen.

Very chic and simple.

Opting for chairs in a classic rattan design that’s going to last you loads of summers is definitely worth the investment.

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Buy a fully formed garden bar If you don’t trust your DIY skills to make your own outdoor bar, why not invest in ready-made one instead? This design has definitely got a bit of tiki vibe but that’s fine in our book as it’s more of a classy, grown-up take on tiki.

We love how it’s been styled here with plenty of neutrals tones, rattan accessories and festoon lights for an on-trend vibe – not a coconut cocktail in sight.

Create a chalkboard drinks menu

Invest in a sleek, modern solution Want to make your outdoor bar a year-round addition to your garden so you can entertain alfresco 12 months of the year? Combining an outdoor kitchen with a modern bar space is the

perfect way to create your ultimate entertaining zone.

Opt for designs made from robust materials, such as powder-coated aluminium frames, so they will be able to withstand all types of weather. It means you won’t have to worry about packing everything away in the shed at the end of summer either.

PHOTOS (CLOCKWISE FROM OPPOSITE PAGE TOP LEFT): FUTURE; FUTURE; FUTURE; DANETTI; GARDEN TRADING

Ensure your garden party guests always know what’s on the drinks menu by adding a fun blackboard to your outdoor bar space. You can create your own using specialist blackboard paint, or buy an inexpensive one that’s ready-made and attach it to the wall of your garden bar.

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Outdoor

DINING IDEAS Make eating in the garden a breeze with these solutions – perfect for plots both big and small ith sunnier times ahead, chances are you’re on the lookout for outdoor dining ideas to pep up your outdoor space.

If you love hosting barbecues or garden parties then creating the perfect dining area is key.

From a spacious table and chairs that will seat all your friends to the must-have heating, flooring, lighting and more that will complete your setup, there’s plenty to consider. You’ll want to think about the accessories too: pops of colour through cushions, throws and even a rug will bring summer style to any space.

With some careful planning and flexible furniture, even the smallest of plots can accomodate a comfy dining area. Choose your furniture and layout wisely, and all that’s left for you to do is enjoy your next meal in the sunshine!

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76 YOUR PERFECT GARDEN

Transform an old dining set with paint Give your old dining room furniture a new lease of life by upcycling it into a garden set.

Brighten it up with a lick of paint – we recommend Annie Sloan’s chalk paint – then finish off with a lacquer to seal and weatherproof it. Set against a background of green foliage, colourful flowers and neutral fencing, anything goes when it comes to the shade you choose (though we’re personally partial to a bright pop of yellow for a cheery summer hue). Let your imagination run wild!

Mirror your indoor scheme for harmony

Choose sleek furniture for a stylish setup

There’s no reason you can’t treat an outdoor space like any other room in the house, so if your home has a clear scheme, carry it out into your dining area. Love Scandi style? Opt for an outdoor dining table in a light wood colour. Love vibrant, modern styles? Go for bold shapes and pops of colour for a statement scheme.

Fit durable flooring Just like an indoor dining room, your outdoor area will endure all the scrapes and scratches that come with supporting heavy furniture, so invest in a durable, hardwearing surface that’s slipand spill-resistant too. Uneven

Keep your cool As much as we love the sunshine, it’s important to integrate shaded areas into a garden, especially in dining areas – the last thing you want is a sunburned guest. Depending on your budget, there’s a range of options to choose from: from parasols (attached to a table or separate) to pergolas, which can offer dappled shade, gazebos or even awnings. The bonus of a gazebo, of course, is that you’re protected from pesky summer showers too – and so is the delicious spread you’ve laid out for guests.

flooring is a huge trip hazard, especially when you’re carrying a tray of cocktails or plates of food, so opt for a smooth tiled or decked surface for safe walking. Setting your outdoor dining space near your house?

Opting for the same or similar flooring will give you that indoor-outdoor link.

PHOTOS (CLOCKWISE FROM OPPOSITE PAGE): ANNIE SLOAN; DANETTI; COX & COX; COLIN POOLE/FUTURE; CUPRINOL

Love a contemporary garden scheme? Make sure your dining furniture matches by choosing sleek, slimline styles in modern materials – think smart steel frames and powder-coated aluminium finishes. Use accessories like cushions, throws and outdoor rugs to help soften the sharp lines and add a splash of instant summer colour.

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Go for flexibility with benches Another great option for smaller plots, benches are a stylish alternative to chairs that can easily be tucked under a table when not in use. They also double up as extra seating space for more informal gatherings.

Adding cushions will up the comfort factor for guests gathered around the table, plus they will also add a dash of texture, colour or pattern to a garden. Just make sure they’re weather resistant: you’re almost certain to forget to bring them in at some point, leading to the familiar sinking feeling when you hear rain pattering against the window…

Keep cosy with outdoor heating Extend the life of your outdoor dining area into early autumn by investing in some outdoor heating.

You can buy tabletop gas or electric patio heaters relatively cheaply, or invest in a standing or hanging model in a stylish finish.

Want more of a feature? A chiminea or fire pit can be a focal point as well as a practical source of heat. Alternatively, you can opt for a more contemporary look by choosing a dining table with a central gas fire pit, guaranteed to create a focal point for any alfresco dining experience.

78 YOUR PERFECT GARDEN

Choose folding furniture for small spaces In need of ideas for a small dining space? Opt for folding furniture that can be easily stored away in a garage or shed when not in use, like this bistro set. Wooden designs will create a timeless look, but as this kind of furniture is normally a little daintier than others, you can also afford to go for strong, bright colours to bring some pizzazz to your garden. Another option is stackable furniture: chairs that can be piled on top of each other will take up less floor space in a crowded garage or shed in winter.

Invest in a lighting scheme

Add texture with an outdoor rug When it comes to the finishing touches for your space, treat it like any other room in your house, right down to the soft

furnishings you use.

Outdoor rugs will provide comfort underfoot and add pattern and colour. Look for recycled plastic rugs for eco credentials – not only do they save plastic from landfill, they’re also water resistant and super durable.

PHOTOS (CLOCKWISE FROM OPPOSITE PAGE TOP LEFT): GARDEN TRADING; DOBBIES; RUST COLLECTIONS; GO MODERN; DANETTI

As with any room, lighting is a must in an outdoor dining space.

At a minimum, you’ll need lighting around the dining area itself, which will set the mood as well as allowing guests to see the fabulous treats you’ve cooked up.

You’ll also need task lighting over any cooking areas – wall lights are great for this. If you have a path leading up to your dining area, lighting will be a welcome addition when it gets dark, and you could even illuminate some of your favourite trees or plants to dramatic effect.

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Lights

OUT! Enjoy your garden after the sun goes down by introducing some stylish lighting

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Lights positioned around seating areas for relaxing and entertaining are more effective when using softer bulbs. Try these festoon lights from Lights4fun for a laid-back vibe. Use trees to position them for a temporary set-up.

80 YOUR PERFECT GARDEN

hat a difference a bit of light makes to a garden at night!

A few sparkling fairy lights around the patio and a softly glowing lantern on the table will help you soak up the atmosphere on warm evenings.

You don’t need masses of multicoloured bulbs dangling from every branch. The aim is to create a softly lit focal point where you’re sitting or eating, and then a few highlights on shrubs and trees, stake lights placed through a border, or fairy lights dressing up a shrub or fence.

and are versatile as you’re not dependent on a cable to the mains power supply. However, they don’t throw much real light and only last as long as the battery or sunlight charge.

However, they’re brilliant as fairy lights for covering fences, screens or shrubs with glowworm glamour, and some of the larger strings of lights with colourful ornamental shades make lovely swags around patios and pergolas.

The panel on solar-powered lights should be in a bright position during the day, and not shaded by foliage.

Solar-powered

Candles

If you don’t have a power point for mains electricity outdoors, battery or solar-powered lights can be used. They look pretty

Candles make an excellent focal point. Three to five grouped together on the table will throw a seductive glow bright enough

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The aim is to create a softly lit focal point where you’re sitting or eating, then a few highlights elsewhere

STYLE TIPS l Create cosy entertaining areas in the garden – string up fairy or festoon lights back and forth across a pergola.

Using stakes, create an illuminated perimeter around your seating area. l Alternatively, in a small space, secure several strings of lights from a central point on a wall then fan them out, securing them at different points along on a fence or wall opposite. l For a cascade of light, try hanging fairy light nets or curtains against a wall or fence. l Trail one or two sets of lights from the bottom of a tree and wrap them around individual branches, or use icicle-style lights to hang down from the branches, secured in place with cable ties. l Create a table centrepiece by using wire battery lights in a jar or vase. Cluster lights of various sizes together for added impact. l Group lanterns in corners, use them to light steps or dot them along a pathway or flower border.

Assessing hazards l When setting out mains-powered lighting think carefully about the run of the cable from plug to lights, and between lights.

It shouldn’t cross paths creating a trip hazard, be left in a position where people can walk into it accidentally, or lie in wet areas (lift it off the ground). l In reliably dry weather, consider running an extension cable from a socket indoors out into the garden. Again, great care

to eat by. Choose candles of varying height for a more interesting effect and a better spread of light. It’s best to give them a little protection, so consider placing tea lights in clean jam jars or invest in pretty lanterns for larger pillar candles.

This way they’ll be less affected by draughts and are safer.

with position is vital, as is taking it back indoors at the end of the evening. l Don’t overload your system by powering huge numbers of lights through one socket via adaptors. If in doubt, count up the wattage of all the lights you’re planning to attach, and check it against the current rating of the extension lead.

And remember to place a circuit breaker between plug and socket when using outdoor lights.

Mains-powered If you have a mains power point accessible outdoors, the lighting can be left in place – just plug in and switch on. Good choices of mains-powered garden lighting include long strings or festoons of lights. Spotlights or uplighters will create fun shadows if positioned near trees or shrubs.

Fine dining It’s important to have your lighting sorted for alfresco evening meals in summer. They may start in the daylight but the last thing you want to be doing after a meal is rummaging around trying to sort the lighting. So make sure everything is already in place for these occasions.

String up lengths of festoon lights over your outdoor dining space for a pretty display that will twinkle well into the evening. These lights from Lights4Fun can be connected together to make up to 150m of lighting, so you can make your whole garden glow at night. Warm white LED connectible festoon lights, Lights4Fun

Make use of existing features By using what is readily at your disposal you can get an instant display. Trees are great places for fairy lights, and arbours will hold festoon lights nicely.

Easy uplighting Lighting doesn’t have to be purely practical and the odd ornamental light here and there can elevate a garden.

Create an atmosphere in your beds and containers with stake lights. When stuck into a planting scheme the uplighting effect gives off dramatic shadows. Solar varieties are a good choice as they can be moved around at will.

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Set the stage These lights are from a collection at Ella James on Not On The High Street

YOUR LIGHTING DOS AND DON’TS DO Protect the flame from draughts and people from burns by setting candles in a jar or lantern.

DO Buy electric lighting that is suitable for use outdoors. It should say so on the box.

DO Fit a circuit breaker between socket and plug when using mains electricity-powered outdoor lights.

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DO Create a focal point with your lighting, and work out your lighting design from there.

DON’T Use burning candles randomly around the garden. You need to be able to monitor every one of them for safety.

DON’T Use an adaptor to run lots of mains electric lights from one

socket without checking the load.

DON’T Overdo it by using too many lights, or lights that are very bright – your outdoor space should look chic and atmospheric.

DON’T Leave extension cables and any electrical equipment that is not weatherproof out in the garden when you go to bed.

Lovely lanterns Moroccan lanterns can be bought as a set from Lights4fun

Holly Harper, Head Of Inspiration at Not On The High Street, shares her tips for a great lighting scheme: ‘I recommend a blend of festoon lights strung from the outer sides of your space together with solar powered parasol lights which look beautiful hanging over the dining table and are great for the environment.’

Pretty pendant Stays bright for up to eight hours.

Outdoor Open Flower LED solar-powered ceiling light, available from Amara

EXPERT TIPS

Keep it simple Hang festoon lights like these from a fence or wall to light up your entire garden.

Bulb festoon lights, Cox & Cox

Fabulous fretwork Cast a dappled glow with a lattice design.

With Moroccan style lanterns from Dobbies

Stone Globe Lights in a cluster. They also look great interspersed with a row of box balls – another rising trend. l Do consider lighting any steps in your garden for safety reasons. Lit steps will also add a touch of drama.

WORDS: TERESA CONWAY PHOTOS: OLIVER PERROTT PHOTOGRAPHY

Joanna Wallis, founder of Stone Globe Lights, shares her tips for positioning outdoor lights. l The great thing about outdoor lights is that they allow you to enjoy the garden when it’s dark.

Consider positioning them not too far from the house so that you can still enjoy this benefit when you’re indoors at night. l Similarly, use design-led outdoor lights to enhance your planting schemes.

For traditional schemes, Stone Globe Lights come in a weathered stone finish and look very effective when hidden among foliage.

For a more contemporary look, consider styling the

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PLAN A NEW

PATIO If your patio is looking a bit tired, now is the perfect time to plan a revamp

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hether you are starting with a blank canvas and want a completely new patio area, or are going for a revamp of an existing one, working out what to do with the space to get the most out of it can be challenging. But, design it well and you can revolutionise your outdoor space for year-round enjoyment and create a real

Elevated halo 36 gas fire pit, Solus Decor 84 YOUR PERFECT GARDEN

asset in your garden that works just like an extra room.

Design is key Try software that lets you plan your outdoor living space in 3D like Architect 3D Landscape Design, Myarchitect3d.com. iScape also has easy design tools that help you plan your project and share it with friends, family or builders.

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to use the space. If it’s for entertaining, think about how furniture will be incorporated into the design, as well as lighting and heating options and barbecue or outdoor kitchen areas. Perhaps you’d like to work in luxe extras such as a sound system or retractable canopy to turn the patio into a year-round space. You may also want to think about zoning and creating separate areas for dining and relaxing.

What about the plants?

Rattan sofa, Limited Abode

Take time with PLANNING

Anything else?

Top questions to ask yourself before you get started

What are the practical considerations?

The first thing to establish is whether it’s a case of revamp or replace. Once you have a feel for what you want to achieve, take a good look at the site and factor in any practical problems you need to work with. These can include issues with privacy if your space is overlooked, the

CREATE...

need for improved access points such as side gates, revamping boundaries if they are inadequate, drainage problems and incorporating lighting if you don’t already have power to the area.

Where should I position it?

Take into account how you use the patio during the day and when it gets the sun. If

When you’re making your plans don’t forget to factor in the planting. It’s a good idea to include raised beds or planting pockets in the hard landscaping for an integrated look or alternatively upgrade your patio pots.

you’re going for a complete redesign you might even want to think about whether your current patio is actually in the right space for you or if it would be better moving it and possibly making it bigger to incorporate your new ideas.

How should I plan my design?

Next decide what sort of style you want and how you’re going

Finally, if you want the look of your patio to be on trend you can go in big or simply add a detail. Take a material like Corten steel. The warm burnt orange hues can be integrated into your hard landscaping as stunning metal panels and fixed planters, or can be bought off the shelf as water features or decorative screens. Either will bring the look of your patio bang up to date.

Think about MATERIALS With so much choice available when it comes to materials this is where things can get expensive, so it’s important to consider your budget so costs don’t spiral out of control

WORDS: SARAH WILSON

Clashing or matching?

A good place to start is by deciding if you want to go for a complementary look with materials that sit well together for a co-ordinated scheme, or a more dramatic feel with contrasting elements to make a statement.

Dining pergola; Refectory table and sleeper bench set, both Forest Garden

Paving or decking?

Another big decision is whether you want a paved or decked patio area. You will want

something that’s easy to maintain so bear in mind that smooth decking options are the best choice as water can pool in the grooves of ridged designs, but you will still need to oil them regularly to keep them protected against the elements and to retain their colour. When it comes to paving, take the hassle out of cleaning by buying slabs that have been treated or have a matt finish as they require less upkeep.

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The best PAVING

Granite

Limestone

Tough and hard wearing, choose granite if you want a sleek and modern look. It comes in every possible colourway and is easy to keep clean.

One of the more expensive options that requires special laying techniques, but it’s hard-wearing, looks gorgeous and comes in a range of colours.

Sandstone

Porcelain

Reasonably priced, sandstone can be riven (for a more aged look) or smooth (for a more contemporary style). You can also get reclaimed sandstone.

Matt porcelain pavers have the look of natural stone but require less maintenance.

They’re strong, durable and work well in modern schemes.

Break up a large expanse of wall with different materials to create interest

Hardwood

Softwood

Smooth hardwood deck boards from a responsible source are the go-to choice for a combination of good looks and longevity that’s easy to maintain.

The more affordable option, but it will need maintenance to keep it looking good. Use a protective oil after it’s been installed to stop it degrading.

Artificial

Bamboo

Made from a combination of real wood and household plastics recycled into resin, these eco-friendly boards won’t fade in the sun.

A more sustainable choice that’s strong (it’s harder than nearly all other wood), durable and will stand the test of time.

The boards won’t fade either.

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PHOTOS: (GRANITE) TILE MOUNTAIN. (LIMESTONE AND SANDSTONE) TOPPS TILES. (PORCELAIN) PORCELAIN SUPERSTORE. (ARTIFICIAL) STOCKPORT TIMBER. FUTURE CONTENT HUB

The best DECKING

Wall painted in Olive Ultra smooth masonry paint; fence panels painted in Seclusion; chairs in Black 10-year exterior satin, all Sandtex

Create a stylish BOUNDARY It’s important to take boundaries into account when it comes to hard landscaping. Fencing can take centre stage if you choose a colour or style with impact for that stand-out factor. If you’re on a tight budget, paint is your best friend as it lets you transform a feature into something special.

Rendered concrete is another affordable option to create a colourful backdrop, or think about greening up a boundary with a trellis and climbing plant combo such as star jasmine.

If you have a bigger budget, consider decorative bricks or natural stone cladding (you’ll need a solid wall for this).

Corten steel planters, Garden House Design

Adding privacy If your patio is overlooked, it’s likely you will want it to have a secluded feel.

Temporary options like small trees in large planters or decorative screens can help, but if you need a more permanent structure a small pergola or automated awning are good options to incorporate into your plans. As well as providing privacy, shelter and shade, a pergola has the advantage of creating an extra planting opportunity and adds an architectural element to the look.

Incorporating an awning or durable roof to cover a patio area turns it into an extra living space that can be used year round. Choose a sleek minimal design that integrates into your outdoor space. Patio covers protect you from sun, rain, wind and cold and can be fitted to an outside wall or as a stand-alone feature.

How to give planting the wow factor l Include planting pockets in your hard landscaping by opening up small spaces for greenery. This can transform a patio, bringing it to life with shapely curves of smart planting. Low mounds of ornamental grasses work well for this look. l Modular raised planters can be lit at night to create a welcoming ambience. The light diffuses through the plants to cast sculptural shadows against the backdrop of a wall or fence.

Ornamental grasses, bamboo and palms all work well and look magical at night. l A vertical green living wall allows you to turn patio planting into a practical feature. With lush plants such as grasses and succulents tucked into pockets at regular intervals, it creates an outdoor feature wall. Try the self-watering Wonder Wall from Dobbies.

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Bifold doors are a great way of completely opening up the room to the garden when the weather permits

Your easy guide to

GARDEN ROOMS How about an extra room without the cost of an extension? From a simple self-build to something with all the amenities – we explore the options

LEARN… Essential FAQs What is a garden room?

It is a stand-alone garden building, also classed as an outbuilding. Garden rooms are built to less than 2.5m (8.2ft) in height as standard, meaning they generally don’t require planning permission.

They can be a unique space solution for your home, and also offer a separate area from the main living space that gives privacy and room to focus and relax. They also tend to be a 88 YOUR PERFECT GARDEN

more cost-effective and easy alternative to more traditional home extensions like loft conversions or conservatories.

What are the benefits of a garden room over other home-extension options? ● Planning permission is rarely required for a garden room. ● Building control sign off not required. ● Garden rooms can be installed in just one to five

days, depending on which supplier you choose. ● There are generally no hidden costs, with all of the ‘essentials’ included in the price. ● Set up causes minimal disruption to your home life. ● Foundations/base installation and levelling are usually included in the price. ● They are a unique and modern building solution. ● Garden rooms are a cheaper and more cost-effective option.

The information listed over the following pages is based on UK regulations, so if you live elsewhere be sure to research your own country’s rules.

How much do garden rooms cost?

They can vary hugely in price depending on whether you are happy to put in a little elbow grease to build and paint the room yourself, or you’re looking for something more intricate. At the bottom end of the spectrum, a build-your-own summer house can cost just £700 ($970). At the top-end for a custom option, complete with power sockets and light fittings, can cost up to £58,745 ($81,630).

Multi-use Flexible extra space

This gorgeous pod was designed to include a work area, and also space for the family to relax, entertain friends and spend time together. It took five days to build, including one day foundation build. It has been simply furnished and accessorised with colour pops of green, which links with the garden. An apt botanical theme is reflected in the choice of accessories.

Garden room, greenretreats.co.uk

When considering where to position a garden room, allow for a patio area outside where a seating area can be set up

How do you maintain a garden room?

Aim to give the exterior of your garden room a wipedown with warm soapy water once a year to wash off any dirt. Painted garden rooms will need a fresh coat of paint every few years to keep the woodwork in tip-top condition. Cedar clad structures require little to no maintenance, as the wood is naturally resistant to rot and fungal growth, however the wood will change colour from the rich red to a silver grey over time. Keep the area around the base of your garden building clear of long grass and leaves, too.

Can you add connecting services to a garden room?

Adding electricity and plumbing to a garden room

is an expensive outlay and in some cases requires planning permission beforehand. If installing electrical sockets and switches, your building must be watertight and ideally insulated for safety.

Adding sinks, showers or washing machines requires a plumber to install a fresh water pipe running from your house to the garden building and a separate waste pipe running out again.

What are the difference between a garden room and a shed?

Garden rooms are often known as ‘posh sheds’. But even though a garden room and a garden shed are both classed as ‘outbuildings’, the finishing on a garden room is more similar to a room in your house than it is to a shed.

Build your own Cut costs With six large windows and wide opening double doors, the Forest Garden Oakley summerhouse from Cuckooland comes ready to build, and will take an estimated four hours to assemble. Remember, you will need a firm, level foundation in place, such as a poured concrete base. Leave the natural wood exposed or paint to suit your scheme. ●Waltons (waltons.co.uk) also offer a good build-your-own range with options for professional installation at competitive rates. Forest Garden Oakley Overlap 8x6 Summer House, cuckooland.com

Top tip Many people have found that the addition of a garden room has added to the resale value of their homes.

Do you need foundations for a garden room?

Without a strong and solid foundation, you risk damaging your garden building beyond repair once installed. If the company you’re buying from doesn’t include foundations in the price, you’ll need to hire a builder to do the job for you.

A flat and level surface of paving slabs or concrete, no less than 10cm (4 inches) thick, is ideal.

Remember to leave around 50cm (1.6ft) clearance if you’re building near walls, fencing or trees.

YOUR PERFECT GARDEN 89

Do you need planning permission?

Garden rooms do not require planning permission, if they fall within permitted development guidelines.

To classify as an ‘outbuilding’ under permitted development rules, it must not contain sleeping accommodation and must be single storey with a maximum eaves height of 2.5m (8.2ft).

How big can I build a garden room without planning permission?

Maximum height As mentioned above, the eaves height would be limited to 2.5m (8.2ft). The maximum overall height depends on the roof shape – four metres for a dual pitch and three metres for any other type. However, if the building is within two metres of a boundary, the overall maximum height is restricted to 2.5m (8.2ft).

Footprint Have you or any previous owners extended the house since 1948? If so, these extensions will eat up your permitted development allowance. Overall, you are not allowed to build on more than half the land associated with the house without full planning permission.

Location It must not be located forward of the main front wall of the original house.

The original house means as it

Shepherd’s hut A taste of tradition

Because it’s on wheels, a country-style shepherd’s hut is a great option if you see yourself moving home in the near future – as you can take it with you. Shepherd’s hut, redskyshepherdshuts.co.uk ● Planning permission isn’t usually required for shepherd’s huts, provided they’re in your garden and is for personal use only, however with any big investment, it’s always advisable to check with your local council first.

was first built or as it stood on 1 July 1948.

No verandas or balconies would be allowed without planning permission, and raised decking should be no higher than 300mm (11.8 inches).

Are there specific restrictions regarding a particular property that you will need to check?

Flats, maisonettes or any other type of building do not have permitted development rights,

so you won’t be able to build your garden room without getting full planning permission. Also, be aware that if your property has undergone a change of use, or has been converted into a house in the past, it may not enjoy permitted development rights. ● If your house or any buildings contained within the boundary are listed, your garden room will require full planning permission. ● If your house is in a

conservation area, you will not be able to build a garden room to the side of the main house without obtaining planning permission.

Can you sleep in a garden room?

In many cases, a garden room can be built without the need to apply for building regulations, but if you plan to sleep in it – even only occasionally – you will need to apply for building regulations.

Room for improvement Cedar cladding contrasts against the eye-catching grey triangle, which highlights the aluminium bifold doors.

The 5x 4m (16.4 x 13.1 ft) footprint provides enough space for the well-insulated, year-round cabin, which also benefits from extra headroom, so that there is no constraint on the exercises possible. Garden room, swiftorg.co.uk

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WORDS: DILLY ORME. PHOTOS: FUTURE CONTENT HUB

Garden gymnasium

Design statement Add a touch of drama Painted and styled in a colour palette of black on the outside and white smoke internally, this stylish garden building makes a contemporary focal point at the end of the garden. Installed in just one day, this insulated and double-glazed garden studio is the ideal space to allow your creativity to flourish.

The Studio Pent House, malverngardenbuildings.co.uk

Take a look inside…

Give your garden room a personal touch with all the home comforts that reflect your style.

Consider details such as these lovely classic window locks, adding subtle finishing touches that are in keeping with the overall look.

Classic summer house Holiday at home This garden room is influenced by the ornamental buildings designed by Sir William Chambers at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and echoes the centuries-old

landscape architecture seen on the grand tours. Exclusive design features like the pewter-style ironmongery and roof finials set this building apart, and ensure it will prove timeless in style and enduring in quality.

The Kew Victoria, malverngardenbuildings.co.uk

YOUR PERFECT GARDEN 91

STAY WARM

all evening Enjoy your outside space even on cooler spring and summer nights with a heater. We explore the main options that are available for you to decide which one is right for you

Keep off the chill and create a fabulous atmosphere! Crafted from heavy gauge raw steel, the design of the Foscot is simple and rustic, which, over time, will age to a natural rusty finish.

It comes with carry handles, making it easy to move, and is set on 4 legs to keep it sturdy. Fill with freshly cut logs, grab a chair and enjoy the warmth under the stars. Garden Trading Foscot Outdoor Firepit in Raw Steel, cuckooland.com

92 YOUR PERFECT GARDEN

WOOD Wood is a very popular choice for creating atmosphere. It requires more maintenance – as you have to source the wood then continually tend to the fire to keep it going and clean out ashes afterwards.

However fire pits and chimineas are a favourite, ultimately people love the nostalgia and ambiance of sitting by a real fire.

BENEFITS l Provides great atmosphere. l Affordable to purchase or build.

KEEP IN MIND l Requires more

A fire pit or chiminea may sometimes be trickier to ignite than your other heating options, especially on a windy day. Also, you’ll have less control over the level of heat than you would with something you can easily turn down or put on a specific temperature setting. For many, the look and feel of a wood fire makes the trade-offs worth it. maintenance than other options. l Trickier to ignite and maintain at desired heating level. l Wood may be awkward to source and transport and expensive.

ELECTRIC

Warm enough to ditch the blanket and enjoy a cosy evening outdoors

Outdoor heaters are typically a very convenient option. With the exception of hanging and wall-mounted models, electric outdoor heaters don’t require any installation and merely need to be plugged in. The main inconvenience you may experience is having to keep your heater close to an outlet

and of course you will need to get an outlet installed by a qualified electrician.

Electricity costs more than gas and wood for ongoing use, but electric heaters are easy to use and maintain, and they’re the only type of outdoor heater that it’s safe to use in an enclosed or covered space.

BENEFITS l Convenient to use – just plug it in. l Safe to use in covered or enclosed spaces. l Easy to use and maintain – controllable heat and light.

KEEP IN MIND l Cost more to use in the long run. l Can only be used close to an outlet. l May prove to be slow to heat up.

FEATURE: DILLY ORME

With its timeless design, the Heatsail Patio Heater Floor Lamp adds an air of elegance. Made from stainless steel and the hood from aluminium it can be left outside year-round, radiates heat up to 5m, and has a handy remote to control settings. Using less energy than typical outdoor heaters and with zero emissions, enjoy the outdoors for longer without guilt! Also available as a pendant light. Heatsail Dome Freestanding Electric Patio Heater Floor Lamp in Black (also available in white), cuckooland.com

YOUR PERFECT GARDEN 93

Create a stunning focal point with a beautiful sculptural firepit.

Hemi Fire Bowl 660mm; 914mm, solusdecor.co.uk

NATURAL GAS Outdoor heaters require professional installation to be connected to your gas supply.

Therefore they can cost quite a bit more upfront than other types of outdoor heaters – both for the heater itself and the installation costs.

However, they’re the cheapest option to use once you have them installed and they’re incredibly easy to maintain.

BENEFITS l Cheap to use. l Easy to maintain.

KEEP IN MIND l Expensive to buy and install. l Can’t use in a covered or enclosed space. l May be difficult to move due to natural gas line. l Natural gas is a fossil fuel but produces less carbon emissions than coal or wood.

PROPANE These heaters are pretty easy to pop on your patio.

They don’t usually require professional installation, so it’s just a matter of putting them together, attaching the gas tank, and turning them on Unfortunately, they cost more than natural gas outdoor heaters in the long run and you should plan on replacing the gas tank every so often if you go with this option, but the start-up convenience appeals to many users. Also when the propane tank does run out, it’s incredibly straightforward to replace with a new one.

This traditional gas stainless steel heater has up to 11kw output and adjustable settings in a classic design. It’s also retractable for easy storage.

Hook it up straight out of the box. Lifestyle LFS822 Santorini 11kw gas patio heater, heatersuk.com 94 YOUR PERFECT GARDEN

BENEFITS l Heats up fast. l No installation required. l Easily portable and can be moved to where you need the heat the most.

KEEP IN MIND l Propane costs more than natural gas. l Gas tanks will need to be replaced periodically. l It shouldn’t be used in a covered or enclosed space.

A ceiling-hung bioethanol fireplace with wow factor. It is fuelled by a high-grade liquid bioethanol which is eco-friendly. Each 2.5ltr refill will burn up to six hours. Cocoon Aeris Hanging Fireplace in polished steel, gomodern.co.uk

BIOFUEL Bioethanol, a type of biofuel, is created by fermenting sugars and starches in plants. It can also be produced from potatoes, corn or rice. It’s available as a liquid in 2ltr bottles. There is no initial set-up cost to install fuel to biofuel heaters but it is the most expensive fuel type.

Ethanol burns with no off-gas or particulates so is a more environmentally friendly choice than other fuels.

BENEFITS l No installation required. l Can therefore be more easily portable and can be moved to where you need the heat the most. NEVER MOVE WHEN LIT. KEEP IN MIND l Biofuel is a more expensive fuel option. l You will need to ensure you have stock of the bottled liquid stored.

A flexible classic Perfect for chilly evenings, to snuggle up and continue enjoying your surroundings.

Traditionally styled and crafted in powder-coated steel with a matte finish, the streamlined firepit comes with a tall chimney and sits on raised feet.

The central section features a suspended galvanised grill to set your logs onto, while the chimney helps with air circulation and draws the smoke away from your seating area.

Garden Trading Sarsden Fire Pit Chiminea, cuckooland.com

YOUR PERFECT GARDEN 95

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great value plants for

BUDGET GARDENING A beautiful and productive garden needn’t cost the earth – simply choose the right plants

98 YOUR PERFECT GARDEN

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Top tip Grow biennials for a bee-friendly garden.

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WORDS: WENDY HUMPHRIES. PHOTOS: ALAMY STOCK PHOTO, THOMPSON & MORGAN, DOBBIES, DYSON SALVIAS, WIKICOMMONS, FUTURE CONTENT HUB

BIENNIALS For a succession of flowers in spring and summer next year, start off biennials in trays from May-July and plant out in the autumn.

1 HOLLYHOCK This perennial is best started from seed one year for flowers the next. Sow seeds in pots and plant the following spring in sheltered spot. H: 90cm (3ft)

2 SWEET WILLIAM Perfect for pots and borders, the densely packed scented flower heads come in a range of pink, red and white. Grow in full sun. H: 60cm (2ft)

3 CANTERBURY BELLS Lofty stems with white, pink or blue bell-shaped blooms add elegance. Start seeds off in seed trays and transplant to

6 their flowering positions in autumn. H: 90cm (3ft)

4 ERYNGIUM GIGANTEUM Happy if given plenty of sun and tolerant of dry soils, the branching heads of silver flowers appear above large heart-shaped leaves. Start seeds in pots. H: 1m (3.3ft)

5 FOXGLOVES The classic biennial digitalis produces spires of thimbleshaped bell flowers with speckled throats, that are great for bees. H: 1.5m (4.9ft) 6 FORGET-ME-NOT A delight in spring when sprays of tiny blue flowers froth around spring bulbs.

For a change, try pink or white flowered varieties – simply sprinkle seeds where they are to flower, and they readily self-seed. H: 20cm (7.9in)

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BULBS, TUBERS & CORMS Not only great value, there’s a bulb for every season.

Check catalogues and look online for good deals.

7 DAHLIA Dahlias can be relied upon to flower for months, and are economical if bought as tubers. Start them off in pots of compost in February and plant out in May. H: 90cm (3ft) 8 AUTUMN CROCUS Bring a spring-like freshness to the garden in Oct-Nov with this crocus that is the source of saffron, gathered from its three

long red stigmas. In August, plant corms 10cm deep in gritty, well-drained soil in full sun. H: 15cm (5.9in)

9 IRIS RETICULATA Bringing a welcome sight in early spring, Iris ‘Katharine Hodgkin’ appears delicate, but is in fact robust and vigorous. A great value bulb guaranteed to give years of pleasure. H: 15cm (5.9in) YOUR PERFECT GARDEN 99

ANNUALS Annuals are an affordable way to fill containers and plug gaps in your borders.

Make successional sowings for a longer display, or choose online mail order plug plants, but be sure to compare prices and delivery charges.

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10 CORNFLOWER A cottage garden favourite that comes in pink, white or blue, look for the more unusual ‘Classic Magic’ (shown). Collect seeds to store for the following year. H: 1.2m (3.9ft)

Top tip

11 COLEUS A perennial grown as an annual.

Take one sturdy plant and cut stems as cuttings to fill summer containers. Site in semi-shade and nip out flowers to keep bushy. H: 40cm (1.3ft)

Keep cutting and more flowers will come.

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12 LAVATERA For impatient gardeners who want non-stop colour, this quick-growing annual becomes a mass of pink trumpet blooms.

Plant in full sun and perfect for dry soils. H: 75cm (2.5ft)

13 CALENDULA OFFICINALIS One of the best budget hardy annuals, sow once and it’ll pop up every year. Pot marigold is a useful companion plant to repel tomato and bean pests, and the petals are edible. H: 45cm (1.5ft)

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CLIMBERS

14 ESCHSCHOLZIA

Climbers are great value plants for their incredible vigour and sheer flowering ability – they bloom continuously throughout summer and into autumn.

Californian poppies are one of the easiest plants to grow, simply sprinkle into gravel gardens or borders and plants will self-seed. Single blooms appear above ferny blue-green foliage. H: 30cm (1ft)

15 PHACELIA TANACETIFOLIA This annual has an architectural beauty with its unfurling cymes on strong stems that make good cut flowers. The scented flowers are magnets to bees.

H: 45cm (1.5ft)

17 CLEMATIS

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100 YOUR PERFECT GARDEN

Perfect for tubs or borders, there are hundreds of clematis varieties available in many colours. Check supermarkets for large-flowered varieties, such as ‘Hagley Hybrid’.

18 IPOMOEA LOBATA At its peak from late summer to autumn, this tender climber likes a sheltered, sunny spot.

Start seeds in pots and plant out in May. H: 2m (6.6ft)

16 NICOTIANA SYLVESTRIS Statuesque tubular white flowers provide a heavenly evening scent. Easy from seed, start in pots and transplant.

Plants will self-seed in milder regions. H: 1.5m (4.9ft)

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19 ROSE Every garden is needs a rose, look for repeat-flowering types

Top tip Split with a sharp knife multiple times to increase your plants.

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Top tip

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Lift and split roots in spring or autumn to increase your plants.

22 GRASSES Grasses and sedges are grown for their foliage and smaller size, and like to be divided every few years, which is perfect when gardening on a budget.

22 FESTUCA GLAUCA

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Top tip

This vibrant evergreen grass can be grown from seed, the leaf colour intensifies with sun and drought. H: 15cm (5.9in)

23 STIPA TENUISSIMA

Check budget supermarkets for bargain buys.

Tactile, flowering stems of the pony tail grass sway in a breeze. Plant in a sunny spot in well-drained soil, they’ll seed around. H: 60cm (2ft)

21 such as ‘Climbing Iceberg’ as bare-root to plant NovemberMarch. H: 3.5m (11.5ft)

20 LONICERA ‘SEROTINA’

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Not all honeysuckles are scented, but this one produces a lovely strong fragrance. Good for wildlife, flowers for a long period, and plants are usually cheap. H: 7m (23ft)

25 ANEMANTHELE LESSONIANA The pheasant grass is a star for dry shade and pots, its leaves changing through reds, oranges and greens topped by tiny cascading flowers. Evergreen, readily self-seeds. H: 1m (3.3ft)

21 PASSIFLORA CAERULEA Passion flowers are much tougher than you’d think.

These tendril climbers require initial support against a warm fence or wall. Easy to propagate from cuttings. H: 9m (29.5ft)

24 UNCINIA ‘EVERFLAME’ Guaranteed to brighten a dull corner, this tough evergreen sedge makes a spreading mound and perfect pot plant.

Prefers moist soil. H: 30cm (1ft)

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28 HERBS These easy perennial herbs are widely available as young plants and are cheap to raise from seed.

26 FENNEL What better sight in summer than umbels of yellow flower heads covered in insects? Leaves have an aniseed flavour, collect the aromatic seeds while still green. Readily self seeds.

H: 1.5m (4.9ft)

27 THYME There are so many thymes to choose from, some form attractive little mounds, others are ideal gap fillers, such as the creeping T. serpyllum (shown).

H: 8cm (3.1in)

28 OREGANO A small pot from the garden centre will spread and increase to make a substantial clump.

Cut back after flowering and propagate by cuttings or division. H: 50cm (1.6ft) YOUR PERFECT GARDEN 101

Top tip When taking cuttings, always prepare a few more than you actually need.

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TREES & SHRUBS It’s a false economy to buy larger specimens that may struggle to establish compared to smaller versions.

Choose a mix of deciduous and evergreen plants that will perform over a long period.

31 35 look for the white ‘Alba’. Prefers well-drained soil. H: 75cm (2.5ft)

31 ERYSIMUM BOWLES’S MAUVE This wallflower takes the prize for an extended display if planted in full sun. H: 75cm (2.5ft)

32 PERENNIALS Many perennials flower for several weeks. For best value, choose plants that are easy to divide or grow from seed.

29 ERIGERON KARVINSKIANUS For flowers from spring to winter, look no further than Mexican fleabane. Masses of small white and pink daisy blooms are perfect for pots. H30cm (1ft)

32 ALCHEMILLA MOLLIS A useful self-seeder for filling gaps in paving and borders, producing frothy, lime green flowers. H: 50cm (1.6ft)

33 SEDUM HYLOTELEPHIUM One of the easiest plants to grow and propagate in early summer.

Intense ruby-red flowers are an autumn highlight. H: 50cm (1.6ft)

34 RUDBECKIA A bold beauty that requires little attention. H: 60cm (2ft)

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Perfect as a hedging plant.

Buying a quantity from a specialist supplier makes economic sense, plants are smaller than garden centre plants but are more affordable.

Try hedging.co.uk. Heights vary.

37 EUPHORBIA CHARACIAS Shrubby euphorbias can be found at very affordable prices online, look out for those with attractive variegation. In spring each stem is topped by heads of greenish bracts that last for months. Prefers well-drained soil. H: 1.2m (3.9ft)

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38 HIMALAYAN BIRCH This stunning tree offers a quick to mature screen with dazzling white bark. Small saplings will establish quickly in any soil. See online mail order for multi-stemmed trees. H: 8m (26.2ft)

35 SALVIA MICROPHYLLA 30 LYCHNIS CORONARIA From grey, felted rosettes rise magenta flowers that self seed, 102 YOUR PERFECT GARDEN

Renowned for being one of the longest flowering and easiest to grow plants. H: 90cm (3ft)

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39 BUDDLEJA DAVIDII The sun-loving bush is a magnet to butterflies and

40 produces an abundance of flowers for months on end if diligently deadheaded.

Thrives in dry soil and a sunny spot. H: 2.5m (8.ft)

40 EUONYMUS ALATUS The winged spindle bush turns glorious shades of crimson and red in autumn. For small gardens try ‘Compactus’, ideal as a low hedge or for growing in containers. H: 1m (3.3ft)

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HOUSEPLANTS Many great foliage house plants are good investments for being long-lived and self-propagating. Check out value supermarkets and DIY stores for bargain plants.

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43 TOMATOES

Top tip Split the cost of buying packets and seed potatoes with friends and family.

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GROW YOUR OWN It’s more economical to grow from seed, plus openpollinated varieties (non F1 hybrid) are cheaper to buy and can be saved year after year.

Grow fewer plants well and concentrate on quality. Try ‘Gardener’s Delight’ or cherry ‘Sungold’ for flavour. Start seeds off indoors from end of Feb.

44 SWEET CORN Cheaper to grow than to buy and it tastes much better.

Open-pollinated varieties adapt well to different soils and climates, try organic seeds of the supersweet ‘Damaun’.

45 FRUIT TREES Small fruit trees and bushes are economical to buy as bare roots and usually establish well.

Red and blackcurrants can be multiplied by taking cuttings.

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Grow ‘earlies’ that crop when potatoes are at their most expensive. Plant seed potatoes in old compost bags or in the ground to save compost, in succession from March to April.

46 COURGETTES Prolific croppers, one plant can produce 15-20 courgettes in the ground. Regular picking will encourage more to come.

Seriously uncool for a time, but Ficus elastica has come back into fashion. The solid colouring works alongside other plants.

Plant in a well-lit spot, water only when dry. H: 3m (9.8ft)

48 DRAGON TREE Dracaena marginata will give a sculptural look and can be picked up cheaply. Tolerant of low light, if it begins to look lanky, start new plants by cutting stems into sections. H: 90cm (3ft)

49 TRADESCANTIA A graceful trailing houseplant for a shelf or indoor basket, pinch back the branches to keep the plant bushy and use as cuttings that will root quickly in water. Keep moist and well lit.

50 SUCCULENTS For little outlay there are many types to choose from – aloe, haworthia and crassula plants look attractive grouped together in shallow ceramic bowls of gritty compost.

Heights vary.

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42 SALAD LEAVES Harvest loads of cheap organic salad leaves with cut-andcome-again types and baby leaves. Make successional sowings from MarchSeptember, in pots or trays.

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YOUR PERFECT GARDEN 103

MODERN container ideas Whether you want a stylish display on a patio or fancy trying your hand at growing veggies, these planter ideas will perk up your outdoor space

T

ake your planting up a notch with a selection of stylish planters you can update each season so you always have colour in your outdoor space, or fill with your favourite evergreens

for a modern, structured look.

They’re also a great way to start off a mini vegetable garden or to line a pathway with your favourite fragrant flowers.

Plan your planting scheme throughout the year with

colour-pop bulbs for spring interest, bright blooms for summer, warm golden shades for autumn and berry rich plants for winter (the birds will like these). Choose from a range of planters to suit your garden

scheme, from treated timber frames that look better with age, to modern metal designs.

Alternatively, take a trip to your local architectural salvage yard and look for reclaimed finds that can easily be turned into planters.

For a more structured planting scheme that’s easier to control than a border, choose a natural wooden planter for a great way to display your favourite blooms. This Rowlinson rectangular patio planter, Cuckooland, is made from pressure-treated timber, making it tough and durable – you can even personalise it with garden furniture paint. Planted with hydrangeas, it will look stunning wherever you put it.

104 YOUR PERFECT GARDEN

WORDS: SARAH WILSON

Create a beautiful border

Add fragrance to a pat Give a pathway vintage charm with reclaimedstyle designs like the Bathford rectangular planters, Garden Trading.

Inspired by Victorian dolly buckets, they’re made of fibre clay and are frost resistant to -20ºC (-4ºF).

Plant with varieties known for their scent, such as lavender or jasmine, or fill with smart clipped evergreens for a contemporary and structured look. Position a few lined up along a path or next to a doorway and enjoy the scent as you walk by.

YOUR PERFECT GARDEN 105

We love Repetition will help pots stand out on a patio. Choose lowmaintenance plants, such as grasses or bamboos, for a high-impact display.

Screen a space Feathery grasses or bamboos will give height that creates a natural screen to an area of your garden. Bamboo in particular is fast growing, whereas grass will soften the look while giving interest all year round. Use them to create a secluded seating area or dining space. These bold and contemporary anthracite troughs, Waitrose Garden, are perfect for adding a focal point to a patio, terrace or balcony and have wheels so they can be moved around to suit your needs. Plant the troughs in groups for a uniform look.

106 YOUR PERFECT GARDEN

Make a welcoming entrance Tall planters can be filled with willowy varieties, which are ideal if you want to divide your garden into zones. They can also be used to create more intimate seating areas or act as a boundary if you’re overlooked. Arranged near your front door, like the Cararo self-watering trough; and Cubico self-watering plant pot, both Wayfair, they make a stylish welcome to visitors. Have one either side of a doorway and plant small trees, such as bay or olive, for an inviting entrance. Or, create a focal point by a water feature.

YOUR PERFECT GARDEN 107

Grow your own veggies A large planter is ideal for a low-maintenance way of growing fruit and vegetables. The Harrod superior metal planter, Harrod Horticultural, is one that will last. Made from galvanised steel and powder coated, it comes in a range of finishes and sizes. Buy a few, planting different fruit and veggies in each, so you can enjoy home-grown produce throughout the year.

Zone your garden Choose trough planters and fill them with plants to zone different areas of the garden. Use them to turn a seating or dining area into a more secluded spot, especially if your garden is overlooked by neighbours.

Tall blooms like delphiniums, hollyhocks or foxgloves planted in troughs are a good option, screening off areas of your outdoor space. As well as acting as a decorative screen, this Greenville terrace trough on wheels, Waitrose Garden, is perfect for softening the look of a patio, plus it’s on wheels so moving it around is easy.

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EASY GARDENS

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Plus postage. See page 94

ISSUE 2

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Abeliophyllum distichum H&S: 1.5x2.5m (4.9x8.2ft) If classic forsythia is too yellow for you, how about the white/pale pink blooms of white forsythia? Produced on bare stems in early spring, they have a delicious almond scent.

Top tip For strong repeat flowering, it can be pruned back after blooms have faded.

Viburnum x burkwoodii H&S: 2.5m (8.2ft) Semi-evergreen. Glossy leaves plus dome-shaped flower heads made up of small, scented white tubular flowers, opening from apple-blossom pink buds in April and May.

OF THE BEST

Star shrubs Boost colour in spring and summer with these low maintenance alternatives to annuals Rhododendron luteum H&S: 4m (13.1ft) This sweetly scented shrub has yellow blooms from May to June and, in autumn, fiery autumnal leaf colour. It needs moist but well-drained acid soil and is happiest grown in partial shade.

Weigela ‘Bristol Ruby’ H&S: 2.5x2m (8.2x6.5ft) A favourite with bees, the magentapink blooms are produced freely from May to July amid a sea of green foliage. Likes an alkaline soil in full sun.

110 YOUR PERFECT GARDEN

Ribes x gordonianum H&S: 2m (6.5ft) Easy to grow in full sun or part shade, the eye-catching peachycoloured clusters of slender, trumpetlike flowers look great in April with orange-pink tulips like ‘Blushing Lady’ or ‘Apricot Foxx’.

Deutzia gracilis ‘Nikko’ H&S: 1m (3.3ft) A dainty shrub – compact enough for container growing – that is smothered in pure white flowers from May to June.

Can become untidy over time, so remove one third of woody stems after flowering.

Top tip You can propagate new plants quite easily from from semi-woody cuttings.

Kolkwitzia amabilis ‘Pink Cloud’ H&S: 3x4m (9.8x13.1ft) A graceful deciduous shrub, also known as the beauty bush, that is covered in masses of small, trumpet-like pink flowers with yellow throats. It blooms from May to June and is unfussy about your soil type as long as it’s well-drained.

Daphne x transatlantica ‘Eternal Fragrance’ H&S: 90cm (2.9ft)

Paeonia delavayi H&S: 2x1.2m (6.5x3.9ft) Unlike herbaceous peonies, this tree peony keeps its woody stem structure all year round. The deeply cut foliage, green but flushed red, emerges in spring, providing a foil for velvety, ruby-coloured blooms that unfurl between April and May.

This long-flowering daphne will bloom between April and November, but the main flush comes in May, when fragrant pale pink flowers with darker pink tubes emerge. Plant in moist but well-drained soil, in sun or part shade.

H&S: 3.5m (11.5ft) Attractive, but rarely grown, Enkianthus campanulatus thrives in acid-neutral soil, in a cool, lightly-shaded spot. Its bell-shaped blooms emerge in May.

Care tip

Dig humus-rich compost in with the soil before plantin g.

PHOTOS: ALAMY

Enkianthus campanulatus

YOUR PERFECT GARDEN 111

Your guide to

SUMMER SCENT Choose fabulously fragranced flowers to add an extra-special touch to your summer garden

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cented plants can really help set the scene. They let you create ambience with blooms in the same way you would use candles and diffusers to evoke a mood in the house. Early mornings and balmy evenings are all the better if you’ve filled your patio pots and flowerbeds with intoxicating fragrance to

add to the feel-good factor of being out in the garden. Don’t hide these magical plants away in a corner though. Instead, make them the star of the show.

They are particularly welcoming positioned near the path leading up to your front door or planted around the entrance so you can enjoy the fragrance every time you pass.

‘Scented plants help transform a space into something quite wonderful’

Or plant up a windowbox so you can make the most of the scent indoors as well – as the fragrance gently drifts in through an open window.

Scented plants really do help to transform a space into something quite wonderful and there’s a huge choice available.

Whether your preference is for something sweet like honey or vanilla, fresh and zesty such as lemon, or with spicy or musky notes, there’s sure to be a fragranced flower that’s set to become your favourite.

Be sure to plant scented flowers near where you relax

Scented foliage It’s not just about the flowers.

The narrow leaves of lavender are the most fragrant of all when you brush against them.

Run your fingers over a thyme bush and the pretty grey-green leaves release a lovely lemon scent. Camomile can be planted so the leaves weave together to create a scented lawn that releases a sweet fragrance when you tread on it. The fresh aromatic leaves of rosemary have an almost medicinal quality when rubbed, while many pelargoniums have delightfully scented leaves including some that smell of roses. Take your pick!

112 YOUR PERFECT GARDEN

Night-scented stocks will transform your garden

Nicotiana are mothpollinated, so flood the evening air with scent

If you tend to spend most time in your garden in the evening, choose plants with a rich nocturnal fragrance, so you don’t miss out on the feel-good factor. Nightscented flowers help set the scene once the sun goes down. Group pots of them around your patio chairs or in another space where you gather to relax, so you don’t have to search around

in the dark to enjoy them.

Night-scented stocks have pretty flowers in shades of pink and cream, but are best known for their divine fragrance.

Nicotiana also come into their own at night, when their trumpet-shaped blooms drench the air with gorgeous fragrance. Night-blooming jasmine releases the most fragrance after dark, making it another sought-after plant for summer evenings.

WORDS: SARAH WILSON. PHOTOS: ALAMY, GETTY, JONATHON BUCKLEY

PICK OF THE BEST Plants for nighttime fragrance

YOUR PERFECT GARDEN 113

Flowering white and purple lavender

Geraniums add a splash of colour that contrasts with the blue and purple

Feel-good fragrance It’s well known that plants have the power to boost our mood and calm our minds, which means that being in a green space is good for our well-being. Add scented plants to the mix and their soothing and therapeutic benefits enhance our own little oasis of calm in the garden. The more compact your space, the more intense the experience.

One quick sniff of an aromatic plant gives us a warm and 114 YOUR PERFECT GARDEN

fussy feeling. Lavender can help you sleep much better, citrus-scented plants, such as lemon balm, make you feel more energised, while vanilla-scented plants such as nemesia can boost your mood. Breathing in the scent of flowers before bed can lead to better dreams. So sitting in the garden surrounded by perfumed plants is one of the best things we can do to give us a real feel-good boost.

9 OF THE BEST Perfumed plants to love

Peony ‘Duchesse de Nemours’ H&S: 80x80cm

Stocks ‘Matthiola incana’

Rose ‘Munstead Wood’

H&S: 60x40cm (1.9x1.3ft) Stocks are strongly scented like spicy cloves. This overwhelming bloom will flower in May and June.

H&S: 100x100cm (3.3x3.3ft) The glorious crimson blooms release a classic rose scent with hints of blackberry and damson.

Star jasmine H&S: 9x3m (29.5x9.9ft) With starry white flowers, lush evergreen foliage and a sweet, instantly recognisable scent, these bloom from June to August.

Sweet pea ‘Matucana’

Mock orange ‘Belle Etoile’

H&S: 200x50cm (6.6x1.6ft) Old-fashioned sweet pea varieties have the most intense scent. They’re easy to grow to boot.

H&S: 1.2x2.5m (3.9x8.2ft) Nothing beats the delicate waft of orange blossom scent on a summer breeze from these elegant blooms.

Lilac ‘Souvenir de Louis Spaeth’ H&S: 3x3m

Dianthus ‘Sugar Plum’

Honeysuckle ’Belgica’

H&S: 25x40cm (0.8x1.3ft) The frilled petals of these pretty pinks have a fabulous fragrance that acts as a magnet for butterflies and bees.

H&S: 4-8x1.5m (13-26x4.9ft) This easy-to-grow climber drips with heavily scented flowers in shades of deep pink and apricot. A great all-rounder.

(2.6x2.6ft) With a sweet perfume and silky crumpled petals, this delicate flower blooms between May and July.

(9.8x9.8ft) With long vibrant panicles of pink-purple blossom and a gorgeous scent, this flowers beautifully in spring and summer.

YOUR PERFECT GARDEN 115

Easy WEEKEND PROJECT Upcycle your tins into something pretty and decorative for your garden

Makre you own

LANTERNS & PLANTERS Display these easy-tomake holders along a fence or trellis. l Clean tin cans l Bradawl l PlastiKote spray paints in Baby Blue, Gloss Red and Antique White l Metal wire for hanging l Sharpie pen For the planters, make drainage holes in the base of each can with a bradawl, and single holes 1.5cm from the top edge.

Spray with two coats of paint and, once dry, thread wire through the top hole and loop to form a hanger.

For the lanterns, draw a pattern on the can with a Sharpie pen then punch along the lines with a bradawl. Spray with two coats of paint, allow to dry, then thread the wire through two of the holes you’ve made near the top of the cans to form a hanger.

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116 YOUR PERFECT GARDEN

WORDS: TERESA CONWAY. PHOTO: LIZZIE ORME/FUTURE CONTENT HUB

What you will need

WEEKEND WONDER

Plant a wildflower

MEADOW You don’t need a huge garden to enjoy the romance of a wildlife-rich meadow. All you need is a sunny patch in the garden no matter the size

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118 YOUR PERFECT GARDEN

Step by step 1

Choose your site – a sunny spot on level ground is ideal. Strip off the turf and put it on your compost heap, or use it to repair gaps in the lawn.

Remove weeds as soon as they appear – perennial weeds will soon overwhelm your wildflowers.

Rake over the soil to create a crumb-like finish that’s perfect for sowing.

Plant any plugs, and then evenly sprinkle over the seed. If seed is very fine, mix it with fine sand for ease of sowing. Water in with a fine spray.

Cover your patch of meadow with netting to prevent birds from feasting on the seeds, then watch and wait for the beauty to unfold!

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WORDS: TERESA CONWAY. PHOTOS: ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

here’s nothing quite as lovely as a summer meadow – so it’s no wonder that meadow-style planting in domestic gardens has enjoyed a surge in popularity in recent years. Thankfully, you don’t need acres of ground to grow native wildflowers – you can create a mini-meadow in a patch as small as 1sq m.

For a successful meadow there are a couple of things to consider. Firstly, aim for diversity.

Even in a tiny meadow you can attract a surprising number of different insects – the secret is to choose a mix with a large number of flowering plants. A ratio of around 80:20 grass to wildflowers is normal, but some mixes feature more blooms.

Knowing when and how to cut it back is also important.

If your meadow is annual, lift plants and compost them, then dig the ground over.

Never dig a perennial meadow – it is a permanent grassland and should be treated like a lawn. Cut back after flowering, leave the flowerheads and grass on the ground for a few days to shed their seed, then rake up. Mow the site until the first frosts.

6 of the best MINI-MEADOW ESSENTIALS

Trifolium pratense

Daucus carota

Bumblebees love these pinkish red clover flowers, which appear from May to September.

They’re vigorous, so remove surplus growth to give others a chance. H: 30cm (11.8in)

No good for eating, the wild carrot has lacy white umbels tinged with pink when in bud.

After flowering, the dried bracts turn inwards to create a basketlike effect. H: 75cm (2.5ft)

TOP TIP There are companies that specialise in area-specific seed mixes. British Wildflower Seeds (britishwildflowermeadowseeds.co.uk) offers a dizzying array, plus options for coastal sites, sandy soil, light shade and mixes chosen with butterflies, bees and moths in mind. The Special General Meadow Seed Mix features cornflowers and field poppies to add colour while you wait for the perennial species to get started.

Lotus corniculatus

Knautia arvensis

A food source for bees and caterpillars, the pea-like bright yellow blooms are followed by seed pods that resemble bird’s feet (hence the name bird’sfoot trefoil). H: 30cm (11.8in)

With lilac-blue pincushion-like flowerheads, field scabious is a perfect pick to attract bees, butterflies, moths and hoverflies.

The flowers will keep appearing for months. H: 1.2m (3.9ft)

Centaurea nigra

Rhinanthus minor

Features thistle-like purple flowerheads on branching stems – the seedheads are loved by birds. Happy in the sun or part shade, plants will self-seed. H: 75cm (2.5ft)

If you’re creating a meadow for life, yellow rattle is key. This annual sends out roots that grow into those of any neighbouring grasses, thus preventing them from taking over. H: 30cm (11.8in) YOUR PERFECT GARDEN 119

Paint your ‘rooms’ in a colour that goes with their surroundings

The natural materials provide warmth and shelter for bees and bugs

Make your own

Bee hotel Create a bigger buzz in your garden with this swanky bug bee ’n’ bee 120

Why not cut a few slices from your pallet to make your own bug hotel chain?

Visitors will be flying in from all over for the chance to stay in this welcomin g establishment. The rustic decor provided by the use of natural materials will attract an array of potential residents. The y may not leave reviews on Tripadvisor but they will certainly be grateful for the hos pitality.

What you’ll get in return is som e first-class plant pollination. So it’s win-win for all!

What you will need MATERIALS l 5ltr can of Cuprinol 5 Year Ducksback wood treatment l 1 rough-sawn wood pallet l 3 flat-head nails l Sandpaper/flexible sanding pad l Selection of natural materials, such as straw, pine cones, hessian, jute, natural dried grasses, cut bamboo etc. l Fine-mesh chicken wire l 8-10 metal pins and screws l Fixing bracket l Staples (DIY, not stationery)

EQUIPMENT l Handsaw l Paintbrush l Wire clippers l Drill l Hammer

1

Saw off the end of the pallet using a handsaw. Be sure to be in a well-lit area and with the pallet on a secure surface with plenty of space around you.

2

Lever off one of the planks from the discarded pallet and nail to the back of the cut section creating an open-fronted box with two long slots.

3

Lightly sand the box, dust off after sanding with a clean brush or cloth, then paint with two coats of Cuprinol 5 Year Ducksback in your favourite shade, allowing to dry completely after each coat.

4

Now fill each slot with natural materials.

Layer up your pine cones and hessian, jute, grasses and bamboo. There’s no real method to it; just be creative and do your best to pack it with goodies for the bugs.

5

Cut a length of chicken wire to cover the open front of each box and hammer in small staples to keep in place. Trim wire to size using wire clippers. Fix bracket to the back, hang off a fence and wait for the bugs to set up home in their new hotel.

FEATURE: CUPRINOL

Chicken wire over the top prevents the material from falling out

YOUR PERFECT GARDEN 121

Achillea H: 1m (3.3ft) Butterflies use its large, flattened flower heads as handy landing pads.

Colours range from creams and salmons through to vibrant oranges and reds. Likes sun.

Cut back and it’ll re-flower.

Red valerian H: 90cm (2.9ft) An easy plant, with spires of clustered red flowers that butterflies are drawn to. Flowering for months from May to September, it likes sun and well-drained soil.

Careeyetioupt for

Keep an n aphids as they ca ar. pe ap es im et m so

OF THE BEST

perfect plants for butterflies Grow the plants that butterflies love and watch them flock to your garden Scabious H: 60cm (2ft)

Verbena bonariensis H: 1.5m

Pretty cottage plant with dreamy pale-blue pincushion blooms. Flowers its socks off, providing oodles of butterfly nectar. Likes well-drained soil and sun. Divide every two years.

(4.9ft) This tall perennial with its purplish haze of flattened tubular flowers atop swaying stems is a butterfly magnet. This sun-lover flowers from June till the first frosts.

Lavender H: 60cm (2ft) Its aromatic foliage and purplish-blue scented flowers last for months.

‘Munstead’ (mauve) or ‘Hidcote’ (purple) are good varieties. Cut back in late August to prepare them for winter.

122 YOUR PERFECT GARDEN

Top tip Try the compact variety ‘Royal Dreams’ from Thompson & Morgan for smaller spots.

Buddleia (Butterfly bush) H: 2-4m (6.6-13.1ft) Butterflies are attracted to its conical honey-scented flowers from July to September. It prefers sun but isn’t fussy. If you lack space, try the Buzz®

Aster H: 90cm (2.9ft) Starry perennial flowering from late summer to autumn in blues, pinks and purples with a yellow eye. Tolerates shade, but attracts more butterflies when it’s sunny.

Cornflower H: 60cm (2ft) This meadow plant is an annual that’s easy to sow from seed. Sow in September for early flowers next summer, then again in March to keep it pumping out nectar-filled blooms.

Marjoram H: 60cm (2ft) With white, pink or purple spires flowering early summer to autumn, this herb is great in small spaces. A bonus: it attracts bees and hoverflies, and you can pop it in sauces too.

Care tip

Deadhead these regularly to prolon g flowering.

WORDS: GERALDINE SWEENEY. PHOTOS: ALAMY, GETTY

Sedum H: 70cm (2.3ft) The easy-going ice plant has platelike flower heads for butterflies to land. Blooming late summer to autumn, it’s interesting year round, with an attractive winter skeleton.

YOUR PERFECT GARDEN 123

Fabulous

foliage Who needs flowers? These leafy lovelies come into their own in the cooler months

fter summer blooms, when most plants have died down, you can truly appreciate what evergreens bring to the party. Bestowing character and structure, they make striking focal points, hide boundaries and create backdrops for plants with winter interest. On a grey day, their leaves stand out with attractive shapes, colours and textures. And the bonus is, most are low maintenance!

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Full coverage For vertical interest, opt for a climber that turns a bright shade in the cold months.

The Virginia creeper (right) will turn a vibrant crimson when the weather cools down. It is self-clinging so will find its way up a wall or pergola with ease.

It won’t damage your structures unless it finds its way into loose masonry or gutters.

Amazing acers Also known as Japanese maples, these small trees get flamboyant foliage in the autumn months. Adding colour, texture and structure to your garden.

Acer palmatum ‘Bloodgood’ is perfect for pots. It’s slow-growing and the leaves turn bright red in autumn.

124 YOUR PERFECT GARDEN

Fantastic ferns

Shaping up

Ferns come in an amazing range of textures, colours, shapes and sizes and are ideal for planting in shady corners. Polystichum setiferum or soft shield ferns are a hardy and evergreen variety which are particularly good for giving winter interest in the garden.

Evergreens look smart and sophisticated when clipped into architectural shapes and hedging – think lollipop-style bay trees flanking a front door, or a path edged with clipped yew or box. These will look good no matter what the season but you can give them a festive edge in winter by decorating them with fairy lights.

Grass class Grasses are not only versatile but low maintenance, and autumn is a great time to plant them. This is because the soil tends to be warm and moist so plants become established quicker than in spring. Stipa arundinacea ‘Autumn Tints’ (above) is a feathery grass with a glowing autumn foliage.

Luma apiculata ‘Glanleam Gold’ Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Little Angel’ Commonly called ninebark, this one is less than half the height of most. It has coppery-orange shoot tips maturing to deep burgundy. H: 1m (3.3ft)

Gingery brown and greyish white bark is the winter highlight of this attractive slow-growing evergreen shrub. It has small white flowers from midsummer to autumn and leaves have a creamy edge tinted pink when young. Perfect in a sunny spot. H: 3m (9.8ft)

Berberis thunbergii ‘Orange Sunrise’ Narrow and upright, new growth in spring is pink, then the leaves go a rich red with a golden rim before turning crimson in autumn. H: 1.5m (4.9ft)

WORDS: TERESA CONWAY. PHOTOS: ALAMY, CLIVE NICHOLS

3 OF THE BEST shrubs for foliage

YOUR PERFECT GARDEN 125

Crops for

SMALL SPACES These easy vegetables and salads will keep going all summer, no matter how little outdoor space you have for them omegrown tastes better and is so easy to do. It’s also good for your wellbeing: growing your own produce gives you a sense of calm – and a regular supply to eat. From salad with extra crunch to heavenly scented tomatoes and fresh herbs, it’s all very doable.

The trick is to grow small amounts of different crops that offer big rewards. Avoid anything needing elaborate preparation and cultivation and opt for easy produce such as

cut-and-come-again salad leaves, perpetual spinach and dwarf kale, herbs, chillies, dwarf varieties of French beans and compact tomatoes. Edible flowers such as nasturtium, borage and calendula are another good choice, and add a pretty touch to the garden.

Another idea is to plant mixed containers of herbs, tomatoes and chillies, for example, or large pots of mixed herbs, rather than separating varieties into individual pots. This adds more interest to your planting.

When space is tight

Balconies can be great spots for planters

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Even if your outdoor area is small, as long as you utilise it efficiently there’s still lots you can grow. The sheltered environment offered by a balcony means it’s the perfect growing space. There’s usually plenty of wall area for slotting in vertical planters or trellis to provide support for young plants. Courtyards and patios generally offer more space for growing things than a balcony or terrace, but shade can be an issue if you’re overlooked.

Just remember to choose the sunniest and most sheltered spot possible for your plants.

126 YOUR PERFECT GARDEN

Getting started You need to decide whether you are going to grow from seed or from plug plants. Plug plants and larger potted ones are widely available from garden centres and via mail order, but you can also sow your own seeds with great results. It’s very easy to do and not too late to start, but a bit more effort than buying young plants, of course!

There are two ways of doing it: either in seed trays for transplanting out later or straight into containers or troughs outside. Remember, for crops like salad leaves, lettuce and beans, you will need to keep sowing at regular intervals to ensure a steady crop throughout summer.

Top tip Make the most of the space on your balcony by using planters and racks that are designed to be hung safely on the railings.

5 EASY CROPS FOR POTS Did you know…

According to Guy Barter, chief horticulturist of the Royal Horticultural Society in the UK, growing your own food is a hot trend. It’s an obvious way of helping to support the environment by reducing plastic use and countering food miles. He tips chillies as the number-one choice as they’re so easy to grow.

Perpetual spinach The perfect cut-and-comeagain crop, this will be prolific throughout summer and autumn and into the following year, giving you a steady supply. Pick smaller leaves for the salad bowl and just remember to keep on harvesting – and it will keep on giving. Try ‘Popeye’ or ‘Medania’.

Zesty rocket The one salad leaf you won’t want to be without. Packed with flavour, it looks pretty growing in a handy pot by the back door, too. The tastiest salad leaf around is also the easiest one to grow.

Just remember to pick regularly to keep the leaves coming fast. Try ‘Skyrocket’, ‘Apollo’ or ‘Runway’.

Dwarf French beans Available in purple and yellow varieties, as well as green, these love a container and only grow to around 40-60cm (18-20 inches) in height. They don’t need a bamboo wigwam as they’re self-supporting.

Even better, they’re stringless, which means less prep in the kitchen. Try ‘Boston’, ‘Amethyst’ or ‘Green Arrow’.

Fresh and fabulous!

How to grow While shallow pots are suitable for growing salad leaves and herbs, you will need to use deeper containers for crops such as beans and tomatoes, to accommodate their deeper roots. Vegetables always do best in well-drained compost.

Make sure there are enough drainage holes in the base of the container and add a layer of broken crocks. Use a light,

free-draining compost such as John Innes No 2 and mix in a good handful of horticultural grit, then raise the pots on feet to allow excess water to drain away. Your crop will benefit from feeding, so either add a controlled-release fertiliser to the soil or use a generalpurpose feed. Tomatoes will need a high-potash feed, while leafy crops like spinach and lettuce will benefit from a nitrogen-rich fertiliser.

Choose a compact bush variety with clusters of cherry tomatoes that will cascade over the sides of a basket, container or window box, with no need for training or trimming off side shoots.

A great option if space is limited. Try ‘Tumbling Tom Red’, ‘Balconi Red’ or ‘Tumbler’ varieties.

Spring onions Sow seeds in a large pot of compost, keep the soil moist and as soon as they are pencil sized you can start harvesting them for salads – usually in around eight weeks.

Leave others to round out and remember to keep sowing for a regular supply. Choose ‘White Lisbon’ or redstemmed ‘Apache’.

WORDS: SARAH WILSON. PHOTOS: ALAMY, GETTY/ISTOCK

Tumbling tomatoes

YOUR PERFECT GARDEN 127

Makre you own

Miniature HERB GARDEN Upcycle empty jars into handy planters, then mount on a wall in your kitchen or garden

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his is the perfect project for you to tackle over a weekend while the weather is still a bit on the chilly side. The wooden board will make it easy to mount this on a wall in your kitchen, or a garden fence if you’re using it outside. We’ve used herbs, but you could put in trailing plants to give a living wall effect.

What you will need l 20x42cm (8x16.5in) piece of pine/plywood l Tape measure l Set square l Pencil l Junior hacksaw l Sandpaper l Chalk paint l Paintbrush l Wax or varnish (optional) l Glass jars with 10cm (4in) diameter tops

PLANTS l Herb seedlings or trailing plants

1

Measure, then mark to size your piece Use a jar with a wide of wood using rim for easy planting. the tape measure, You’ll need a decent set square and amount of soil depth pencil. Cut out for the roots. with the hacksaw and sand off any rough edges or imperfections.

We’ve recycled an old pine shelf for this project.

Top tip

hose clip with the three pilot holes. Secure the hose clips firmly in place with the wood screws and screwdriver.

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l Bradawl l Three wood screws (no longer than the depth of your wood) l Metal hose clips to fit 10cm (4in) diameter l Eye screws l Screwdriver l Hanging wire or strong twine l Compost 128 YOUR PERFECT GARDEN

2

Paint the front of the wooden display with a coat of chalk paint.

Allow to dry and then apply a second coat if needed. Apply a finishing wax or lacquer to seal.

3

Arrange the jars on the wood until you’re happy with their positioning.

Mark the wood at the centre of each jar near the rim. Use

6 a bradawl to create pilot holes for the wood screws.

4

Unwind the metal hose clips to find the centre.

Align the centre of each

Position the jars and wind up the hose clips to hold the jars securely in place.

On the reverse of the wooden board, screw in two eye screws at the top on either side. Tie some strong twine or hanging wire onto the eye screws for hanging.

7

Fill each jar with compost and your favourite herb seeds or seedlings to create your mini hanging garden. We like basil, mint, thyme, oregano and parsley,

FEATURE, STYLING AND PHOTOS: ESME CLEMO/FUTURE CONTENT HUB

MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT

Aftercare Don’t overwater your herbs. Feel the soil with a finger before watering and only add a splash if it’s dry to the touch.

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YOUR PERFECT GARDEN 131

YOUR PERFECT

GARDEN Want to transform your garden for spring and summer? With 132 pages of real gardens, design ideas for spaces big and small, expert planting tips and outdoor living advice, you’ll find everything you need to create your dream space

Real gardens

Planting tips

How to create everything from cottage gardens to tropical-inspired schemes

Take a tour of stunning spaces and get inspired to recreate the look in your plot

The top flower and plant choices to suit every style and size of garden

Outdoor living

Alfresco entertaining

Easy updates

How to turn your garden into an extra room that you’ll love to spend time in

From outdoor kitchens to bars, discover how to include them in your space

Quick and simple weekend projects to give your garden a fresh new look

9000

9021

Design advice

132 YOUR PERFECT GARDEN