Create A Garden And Patio Design To Enjoy Year-Round
Retreat to a garden and patio design that’s beautiful year-round, and takes minimum fuss. What makes this possible? Carefree plants with continuous blooms, and a well-planned garden structure.
You don’t need to be a lawn and garden expert or landscape designer to do this. Here are a few tips for creating a super yet simple garden and patio design that will be a knockout!
The first step is to take a birds-eye view of your garden and patio area. Make a rough sketch of your space, and play around with a few designs until you like what you see. As you’re doing this, get some great ideas from existing garden and patio decorations. Pay a visit to other people’s gardens, or public gardens. Look through home landscaping and gardening magazines, find what you like, and develop plans of your own.
Decide what style or theme is right for you… formal, casual, rustic, Southwestern, Japanese… there are enormous possibilities. Then stay with that style and theme so the overall effect does not become confusing. For instance, you wouldn’t want to combine bronze garden sculptures of saints or cherubs with rustic wooden wagon wheels.
Imagine what your patio area will most often be used for. You may plan to entertain lots of outdoor dinner guests. If so, be sure your patio space has plenty of room for the largest number of people right from the beginning. Your patio may be more of a private, reflective retreat for enjoying the sun, reading a book, or gazing up at the stars. Determine the use of shade, open sun, or even covering it with a roof.
Now take your favorite ideas and put them into your rough plans – and soon you’ll have a design that is ready for action.
The next step is to create your garden and patio design to scale – you can use landscaping software for this, or do it by hand. Choose the flowers you intend to plant, noting how many you will need for each month of your growing season, and select the landscaping structures that will give your design its form.
Some say the secret to a beautiful garden and patio design is having a good amount of hard structure. This is what landscape designers refer to as “good bones” – walls, fences, garden bridges, gates, garden arbors, landscape statues, garden fountains … even a strong line of evergreen plants.
Garden structures such as these create forms and lines, giving your garden and patio design definition and dimension. Plus, in the winter when most plants are empty and bare, your garden will preserve its shape and sense of completeness. It’s amazing how just one or two structures can produce this satisfying effect.
Most garden and landscaping structures are built to withstand the elements. Treated pine, cedar and teak garden furniture, trellises, arbors, and decorative fencing are great choices. Stone, copper, and bronze garden statuary will never let you down. Garden fountains bring incredible beauty and atmosphere to any garden and patio design – in fact, entire gardens have been built around them.
Next, choose annual spring flowers and perennial plants that will give you blooms from one season to the next. For instance, select carefree roses that need no pruning or spraying, and bloom continuously from spring through fall. Fill planters with beautiful blooming flowers such as Oriental lilies or verbena for different colors all summer long. Establish flower beds in corners or along walk ways. Always consider your local climate and plant according to the sun and shade needs of your plants.
As you plan your garden and patio design, create paths or walk ways that lead from one area to the next. Rambling garden paths are relaxing and charming… and if laid out thoughtfully, will be a big help to you as the gardener. Paths can be of stone, brick, flagstone, gravel, or mown turf, although grass paths require more upkeep. Garden sculptures or sitting benches thoughtfully placed along the way provide wonderful expression.
If you want garden and patio designs that are pre-drawn, there are ready-made plans available in books and magazines. This is another fine way to get off to a solid start. Use pre-made garden plans from start to finish, or incorporate parts of them right into you own creative plans.
Copyright 2006 Robert Mosse
About the Author
Robert Mosse is a gardening and lawn care specialist and author of the “Easy” Lawn and Gardening Book Series. Visit Robert at Lawn And Gardening Tips for great gardening info… and get the free Guide for 101 Gardening Tips.
Amerimax Alumawood Shade Structures – Patio Covers
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The Garden of Ideas $43.31 From the imaginings of emigrant garden-makers of the late 18th century to the concerns of 21st-century gardeners, this chronicle charts Australian garden design over four centuries. A handsome fusion of evocative images and rich text unearths the Australi |
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Birth of Venus Garden Statue $79.95 Usher in the beauty of Venus with this true investment in garden art! The mythological goddess of love and beauty comes to life in this two-foot-tall, quality designer resin sculpt intended for display poolside or in a beautiful garden. Our stately sculpture captures Botticelli’s 1486 painting of the goddess that set the standard for Renaissance beauty. Our Toscano-exclusive Venus is also exquisite gracing a spa bath or stately boudoir. Shown with Large English Garden Plinth Base. See below for more ideas. 10½”Wx7″Dx23″H. 6 lbs. |
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Garden Bench with Cross Design Back in Antique Silver $392.85 Dimension: 46"W x 26"D x 36"H Finish: Antique Silver Material: Iron Garden Bench with Cross Design Back in Antique Silver This garden bench features kidney shape design. Crafted with 3 cross back with scrollwork. Slat design seating area. Item brings great accent to your garden. Also available in Antique Copper Gold finish. Assembly required. Item is made in China. |
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Garden Bench Slat Design in Distressed Turquoise and Rustic $264.33 Dimension: 40"W x 22"D x 35"H Finish: Distressed Turquoise and Rustic Material: Iron and Wood Garden Bench Slat Design in Distressed Turquoise and Rustic This garden bench features simple slat design. Item is finished in charming distressed turquoise. With rustic finish bench frame. Create additional seating in your garden area with this bench. Assembly required. Item is made in China. |
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Garden Arbor Grill Design Sides in Red Finish $333.57 Dimension: 48.5"W x 19.75"D x 88"H Finish: Red Material: Iron Garden Arbor Grill Design Sides in Red Finish This garden arbor looks eye-catching with its bright red finish. Item is designed with grill design sides in 88"H. Make a statement with this beautiful garden arbor. Also available in Lilac finish. Assembly required. Item is made in China. |
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Garden Arbor Grill Design Sides in Lilac Finish $333.57 Dimension: 48.5"W x 19.75"D x 88"H Finish: Lilac Material: Iron Garden Arbor Grill Design Sides in Lilac Finish This garden arbor looks eye-catching with its bright lilac finish. Item is designed with grill design sides in 88"H. Make a statement with this beautiful garden arbor. Also available in Red finish. Assembly required. Item is made in China. |
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Garden Chair with Scroll Design in Antique Gold Finish $230.04 Dimension: 23.5"L x 16.75"W x 37.25"H Finish: Antique Gold Finish Material: Wire and Iron Garden Chair with Scroll Design in Antique Gold Finish This garden style chair features with scroll design and antique gold finish. This chair offers you an elegant style to your garden. Assembly required. Item is made in China. |
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Garden Bench with Scroll Design in Antique Gold Finish $379.2 Dimension: 47.75"L x 16.75"W x 37.25"H Finish: Antique Gold Finish Material: Wire and Iron Garden Bench with Scroll Design in Antique Gold Finish This garden style bench features with scroll design and antique gold finish. This bench offers you an elegant style to your garden. Assembly required. Item is made in China. |
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Garden Bench Angel Wing Design in Ivory Finish $328.53 Dimension: 39.75"W x 19.75"D x 35"H Finish: Ivory Material: Iron Garden Bench Angel Wing Design in Ivory Finish This garden bench is designed with angel wing. Finished in matte black finish in iron. This bench is great for using in your garden area. Also available in Matte Black finish. Assembly required. Item is made in China. |
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Garden Bench with Backless Design in Aged Verdi Finish $257.44 Dimension: 41.5"L x 17"W x 26"H Finish: Aged Verdi Finish Material: Wire and Iron Garden Bench with Backless Design in Aged Verdi Finish This backless style garden bench features aged Verdi finish. This bench can also be used as a planter stand. Assembly required. Item is made in China. |
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Garden Bench with Scroll Design in Black Moss Finish $228.54 Dimension: 43"L x 17"W x 36"H Finish: Black Moss Finish Material: Wire Garden Bench with Scroll Design in Black Moss Finish This garden bench features with slat seats and black moss finish. Assembly required. Item is made in China. |
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Set of 2 Garden Obelisk Décor Towerpointed Design in Granite Wash $159.32 Large Dimension: 36"H Small Dimension: 22"H Finish: Granite Wash Material: Iron Set of 2 Garden Obelisk Decor Towerpointed Design in Granite Wash This set of 2 garden obelisk is eye-catching in any garden. Item features matching towerpointed design. Finished in beautiful granite wash finish. Brings unique style to your home garden. No assembly required. Item is made in China. |
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David Grande Garden Statue $399 This 1504 masterpiece is one of the world’s most recognizable works of art and an enduring symbol of Florence. “David” stills the heart as the young shepherd who slew the giant Goliath with a single stone, with our large-scale work – nearly five feet tall – cast directly from a 19th-century museum antique in quality designer resin for your gallery or garden. Shown with our Laurel Plinth Base. See below for more ideas. 21″Wx14½”Dx58″H. 55 lbs. |
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Garden Statue with Boy and Girl Design in Copper Finish $241.53 Dimension: 16"L x 10"W x 26"H Finish: Copper Patina Finish Material: Polystone Garden Statue with Boy and Girl Design in Copper Finish This boy and girl playing garden statue features with copper patina finish. This statue is made of polystone with great durability and can be left outdoors year round. No assembly required. Item is made in China. |
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Carotene the Bunny Rabbit Garden Statue $29.95 Our cute-n-crafty garden bunny statue will steal your carrots as well as your heart – but he’s so adorable that you won’t even mind! This Design Toscano-exclusive foot-tall, fully hand-painted rabbit figurine “hops to it” in quality designer resin, ready to add a quirky quality as seasonal decor or for year-round fun. Add a whole den for extra impact! Another quality garden animal statue from Toscano! 6½”Wx6″Dx12½”H. 3 lbs. |
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Garden Table with Leaf and Vine Design in Black Moss Finish $146.56 ” Dimension: 24"Diameter x 31"H Finish: Black Moss Finish Material: Wire and Iron Garden Table with Leaf and Vine Design in Black Moss Finish This garden style table features with leaf and vine design and black moss finish. With its classic style and delicate vine details, this garden table brings elegance and charm to your garden. Assembly required. Item is made in China. ” |
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Bigfoot, the Garden Yeti Statue: Large $125 With alleged Bigfoot sightings the world over, from the Himalayas to the Americas, this elusive, mythical legend has been captured for Toscano in a quality designer resin statue and hand-painted for startling realism. With his characteristically big feet, our more than two-foot-tall Bigfoot, the Garden Yeti Statue will have guests doing a double-take as they admire your creative decor style! Available exclusively through Toscano, our Bigfoot, the Garden Yeti sculpture commands a unique presence in home or garden. 19½”Wx16″Dx28½”H. 12 lbs. |
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Colossal Crustacean Garden Crab Statue $74.95 We provide everything but the butter! With five pairs of expertly sculpted claws, our exclusive, larger-than-life Dungeness garden crab is a perfect delicacy near pond, pool or garden. Cast in quality designer resin, our foot-and-a-half wide crustacean statue is expertly finished in a faux bronze patina that doesn t require a crab cracker to add whimsy to your decor. |
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Wall Mounted Garden Arbor Butterfly Design in Red Finish $166.02 ” Dimension: 42"W x 14"D x 46"H Finish: Red Material: Iron Wall Mounted Garden Arbor Butterfly Design in Red Finish Stunning yet attractive, this garden arbor brings any home style. Item is finished in an bright red finish. With wall-mounted butterfly design, this garden arbor is decorative. Assembly required. Item is made in China. ” |
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Garden End Table Butterfly Design Glass Top in Lilac Finish $171.7 Dimension: 22"W x 17"D x 17"H Finish: Lilac Material: Iron and Glass Garden Accent End Table Butterfly Design Glass Top in Lilac Finish This accent table from the Garden collection is perfect for any garden. Item is finished in beautiful lilac finish. Designed with butterfly design glass top and curved legs. This end table is able to use in any garden area. Also available in Red and Lime finish. Assembly required. Item is made in China. |
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Garden Accent End Table Butterfly Design Glass Top in Lime Finish $171.7 Dimension: 22"W x 17"D x 17"H Finish: Lime Material: Iron and Glass Garden Accent End Table Butterfly Design Glass Top in Lime Finish This accent table from the Garden collection is perfect for any garden. Item is finished in beautiful lime finish. Designed with butterfly design glass top and curved legs. This end table is able to use in any garden area. Also available in Lilac and Red finish. Assembly required. Item is made in China. |
