David Domoney looks to add 'magic to the garden' by creating secret spaces

17 June 2021

Add some magic to your garden by incorporating secret spaces for you to escape to for a spot to relax with a good book or socialise with family and friends. Just like inside our homes, we can create different sections in our gardens using structures and planting.
 

Private pergola

Pergolas are the perfect place to sit enjoy the sights and sounds of your garden. Standing tall, these structures look stunning when surrounded by climbers to completement your secluded spot. Position a bistro set in the pergola as a slightly sheltered space to relax, eat, and socialise outdoors.

 

Climbers & Lighting

Then accompany your time with the fragrance of honeysuckle and climbing roses. Lonicera japonica (honeysuckle) ‘Halliana’ will be right at home in a sheltered, sunny, or partially shaded spot where it can grow up to 8 metres tall.
 

Rosa 'Zéphirine Drouhin' is a vigorous climber, with highly fragrant pink flowers. Also, it’s a thornless variety, so it’s good for private pergolas that the kids can play in too.

 

Sturdy Shelter

If you want a sturdier space, or one which can be used practically whatever the weather, a pergola with a solid roof will give you extra shelter for when you want a shaded escape in the cooler months. Adorn it with fairy lights, and a snug outdoor seat to create a cosy place to relax.

 

Shaped spaces

Pick a base for your pergola that will enhance the space and draw attention to the areas of the garden. Natural stone circle features are a great way of accentuating and separate the area from a main garden patio space. Sandstone circles are available in light sandy hues like Fossil, or with brighter orange tones in Modak.
 

However, if you are looking for more dark and dramatic colour the slate feature circle is an art deco design made up from square and circular tiles which has a great impact. This will look fantastic as a detached space to complement the Brazilian Rio Slate garden paving stones.

 

Neighbourhood watch

Depending on where you want privacy from, beech trees are a great option for privacy from above, that still allow you to see through at floor level. The magic of these is that they are incredibly practical, and they won’t take up a lot of your garden floor space.

Fagus sylvatica (beech) is a popular choice for pleaching. They are a lovely, architectural choice with vibrant foliage that is lime-green in spring, turning darker in colour in summer, before turned copper and orange in autumn. The tree is deciduous but hangs onto the leaves into winter, before falling ready for new growth in spring. Tolerant of any well-drained soil type, they will thrive in a sunny or partially shaded position.

 

Hornbeam has a similar appearance to beech, with green foliage in spring and summer that turns yellow in autumn. Positioned in a sunny or partially shaded spot with moist but well-drained soil, these trees can grow taller than 12 metres.

For an evergreen option for privacy year-round, yew is a good contender with its needle-like leaves and compact habit. It will grow happily in well-drained soil in full shade or full sun. However, the fruits can be harmful to dogs, so be mindful when choosing your pleached trees.

 

Transform your alleyway

Utilising shapes and light in your garden is an ideal way to create the illusion of more space. Transform your alleyway into a productive space to make the most of every inch of your garden. Instead of just using it as a walkway, it can become a pretty and practical space.

Start by opting for natural stone paving that is light in colour to bring a soft, openness to the space. Piazza Summit has airy, sandy tones that will bring a brightness to the alleyway from the floor upwards.

 

The Illusion of more space

Another top tip to create the impression of more space is the positioning of mirrors. Place a mirror in a place where it reflects light into the darker spots. Although ensure the mirror is weatherproof and is in a space where it won’t confuse any birds who could mistake it for more flying space. Even adding lighting is a great way to brighten up the area and turn an alleyway into an enchanting passageway. Opt for hanging fairy lights or lantern styles that mount to the fence or wall, so they don’t take up any valuable floor space.

 

Make it Magical

Although it may be expected that benches are positioned in a sunny spot, adding one to the alley reinforces the idea that this space is to be used like the rest of the garden. A simple stone bench can be positioned to make the alleyway more inviting.

 

Private Entertaining

There are many ways of making the most of your garden space and creating secluded areas for socialising, relaxing and just enjoying everything your garden has to offer. With accompaniment from fragrant flowers and foliage, your garden can be transformed into a sensory haven.

 

This month I've selected a video which features a very private patio area, paved in a classic sandstone, Pavestone 'Raj Blend'. Complimented by Raj Blend Dry Fell Walling. A real gem of a patio area.
 

David Domoney, TV gardener, horticultural expert and Pavestone brand ambassador blogs monthly on the Pavestone website on all things landscaping related.
 

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