Easy Transformations Ideas For This Weekend: Summer Garden Ideas
Easy garden ideas can sometimes sound like a contradiction especially if you don’t have a lot of time or a huge budget. But there are so many simple things you can do that will transform your outdoor space in just a few hours – here are a few of our favourite ideas.
PLANT WITH COLOUR THEME
The easiest way to transform your outdoor space is with plants. But, when you're thinking about investing in new planting consider first which will grow well in your type of garden, then plan out a colour palette.
One of our favourite colour scheme which we spotted as a trend at the Chelsea Flower Show this year was 'jewel gardens'. This involves opting for really rich and vibrant plants, interspersed with easy-to-care-for greenery such as ferns and hostas.
Another option which worked beautifully on the Agriframes Stand this year is to use white flowering plants, but vary the foliage, shape, and colour to introduce texture and contrast to the monotone palette.
REFRESH YOUR GARDEN FURNITURE
When the sun comes out and we are ready to enjoy eating and entertaining outdoors you often find that your garden furniture looks a little neglected after a winter outside.
Investing in a fresh new set of furniture which is weatherproof and can be stored out of season is a great way to make sure you are ready to enjoy outdoor dining at the first sign of the sun.
The Provence Bistro Set is available in a range of stylish neutrals to create a chic feel in an instant bringing extra impact to your garden even when flowers aren’t blooming - Place on a terrace or in gravel garden planted with scented herbs and you will be transported to the al fresco cafes of the Mediterranean!
CREATE SEASONAL CONTAINER DISPLAYS
Give your garden an instant facelift with striking seasonal displays in statement planters.
Spring bulbs bring a fantastic injection of colour with hyacinths, daffodils and tulips which can be left in the planter to return year after year. Summer favourites such as, Cosmos, Lavender and Nastursium create a spectacular display and you could even add an obelisk to support Sweet Peas or a Climbing Rose.
Once the summer season is over you can add winter flowering shrubs, topiary or even miniature Christmas trees for a festive winter look - Choose a substantial and weather proof container such as Agriframes Zinc Planter that can be left in place all year with no risk of frost damage.
ADD LIGHTING
A well-lit garden will set the scene as the sun dips down and help to not only allow you to walk safely but to create relaxed evening feel too.
Add layers of light to give variety depending on the time of day and to highlight features in the garden that would otherwise be missed at night – think Decorative Tea Lights, uplighters and festoon lighting for a soft glow and a party feel – while wall lights will provide practical illumination for doorways or terraces.
Always ensure you opt for good quality outdoor lights that are weatherproof so that you can extend your outdoor living space to enjoy evenings in the garden as dusk begins to fall.
DEFINE A SPACE
A Garden Pergola will add shade, define an area and extend your living space creating a wonderful area for entertaining.
Agriframes Provence Pergola is exceptionally easy to install with a contemporary Matt Black or Bath Stone finish and is robust, low maintenance, rust-proof and suitable for use all-year-round.
You can really use your imagination to dress the space with soft furnishings, decorative paving, lighting and of course carefully chose planting – opt for heavily scented roses or jasmine which will really perfume the evening air.
CREATE A HIDEAWAY
Zoning your garden will make the space feel bigger and gives purpose to every area.
Garden zones can be created with simple structural additions such as planters, screens and trellis – or even just cleverly positioned seating.
Position a garden bench or furniture set in a secluded corner to allow a space for quiet contemplation, surrounded by abundant planting to create a hidden retreat - tall grasses are a great way to introduce movement without completely obscuring the view.
A freestanding Screen can create a suggestion of separation without actually enclosing a space and tall containers such as the Vintage Zinc Trough Planter can be used really effectively to provide a sense of shelter and privacy.
INSTANT COLOUR WITH HANGING BASKETS
Hanging baskets and hanging pots are an instant way to decorate your house, fences or outbuildings and can lighten up a porch or doorway giving a wonderful first impression for visitors to your home.
Traditionally Hanging Baskets are planted with fast growing annuals and bedding plants which produce a fantastically colourful display all summer long. The formula of a planting ‘a thriller, a spiller and a filler’ means that fuchsia, geranium, lobelia, petunia, ivy and verbena are reliable favourites but don’t forget that herbs, strawberries and even trailing tomatoes can all look really effective in Hanging baskets too.
