With wintry days coming to an end and spring bulbs popping up all around, alfresco dining and summer barbeques are just around the corner.
If you haven’t already, now is the perfect time to begin planning your summer garden and patio. The slightest bit of sunshine has us running outside to enjoy the outdoors and soak up some precious vitamin D, so here are some great choices for seating, dining and making the most of your outdoor space.
For more on the Neptune Range visit the Treehouse, Midmar. Or go online at treehouse.co.uk, Prices from £217.
Barbeques come in all shapes and sizes but this Egg BBQ is like a piece of garden sculpture in itself. Available to order from John Lewis johnlewis.com, Big Green Egg Medium Nest BBQ Bundle £1,210.
When the weather is a bit mixed, the perfect solution could be a beautiful traditional hand-made red cedar summerhouse available from Chelsea Summer Houseschelseasummerhouses.co.uk, prices range from £5,600 to £11,900.
Or perhaps a funky fun pod? Available from Ornate Garden ornategarden.com, prices from £8,000 Planters like these beautiful solid granite tapered pots (above) are very robust so won’t blow over in the wind and can be left outside through the winter too as they are frost proof. Available from Drum Garden Centre.
Lighting is getting better and cheaper… and much more fun. Look for brilliant new solar powered lights, battery powered lights or rechargeable lights. Fairy lights look lovely strung over an arbour or wrapped around some topiary. Even supermarkets are stocking LED solar lights within their summer range!
But what about the plants, I hear you say? I have it on good authority that within the fashion and interiors world, what is ‘in’ this season is Green and Greenery? I think that might just work well in the garden!
My take on what is in vogue for 2017? I see clients looking for a slightly softer feel to the garden, less edge, more romance with a shift toward sustainable materials. There is still a strong interest in making the garden an extension of the home. Vertical gardening is also making an impact, which is a great advantage if you have a small space to work with. There are loads of fun options out there on the market, from pocket hanging gardens, living moss wall gardens, living wall art, to growing your own with a wall mounted planter veg trug!
Don’t forget the accessories too! Add throws, lanterns, candles outdoor rugs to add the finishing touch.