garden
Put out a spring welcome matA shady front door with a paved approach can be brightened by the addition of spring colour.Bulbs do really well in pots. Here, a combination of narcissi, tulips and hyacinths in a limited palette of purples and whites creates a display with real wow factor. As bulbs fade, the pots can be moved around and replaced with those that are starting to bloom. When ordering bulbs, look carefully at flowering times so that you can get a long period of bloom and the best combinations. You could go for a riot of colour for contrast, or a more subtle look in a limited colour scheme that complements with your front door or the materials in the paving or walls.
Make space for a bit of artSculpture can bring personality to an outdoor space. This eye-catching stainless steel armillary sphere is, in fact, a sundial and has been mounted on a ‘living’ plinth. The framework of rings introduces curves that contrast with the square-clipped and espaliered shrubbery.Recycled items can make brilliant display pieces, too – roll out an old bicycle or plant up car tyres. Quirky children’s toys also make great garden art.
Go largeYou might be wary of adding anything big to your small outdoor space, but our experts disagree. “Don’t go small,” enthuses Barbara Samitier. “Instead, you must be bold. A lot of people think that if the space is small, they need to put small things in it. But it’s the opposite – don’t be afraid to go big! Use large floor tiles, or a giant pot, and keep the planting simple but bold.”Rory Andrews adds, “Avoid smaller proportions, such as narrow paths, small lawns and terraces, and small features and planting. Less is more and big is better. Larger proportions will make the garden feel larger. “
…but not at all – as you can see when we pan back a little. One key factor for success here is the limited, mainly monochrome palette – the black limestone path, black outdoor kitchen and grey gravel all tie into the design, giving the garden a cohesive and uncluttered look.If you’re choosing concrete or encaustic tiles, they’ll need attention to protect them as they stain very easily without it. Do also bear in mind that even with protection, very pale tiles of this type in an outdoor situation will really show up all the dirt they’ll inevitably come into contact with. Don’t let that deter you, but – for example – you might want to plan for your potting bench to be at the other end of the garden, or you’ll feel as if you’re constantly battling mud with your hose and broom.
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