David Domoney explores paving and plants to compartmentalise the garden landscape

10 September 2022

 

Just like the interior of our homes, different areas of our gardens have different purposes. With small or large spaces, there are opportunities to use different pavers to create compartments that help to emphasise elements and shapes within the design.

 

 

Classic curves

Whatever the shape of your garden as a whole, create sections within it and establish a variety of shapes to accentuate the curvatures of your garden with winding pathways, curved lawns, and planting beds.

 

 

Create a centerpiece

Rounded patios are an ideal centrepiece in the garden and are perfect for placing a circular table or bistro set for outdoor dining. Complete the look by using sets like Kadapha Block Paving which are smaller than the flagstone pavers making them great for more intimate spaces to give the illusion of more space. These are perfect for courtyard gardens or for creating courtyard-style sections within a larger space.

 

 

A sophisticated finish

The dark blue-black colours of the paving have a contemporary impact and do well when complemented with lighter grey paving for a sophisticated finish.

 

 

A feature gravel garden

It can also look fantastic with the small pavers used to create a circular perimeter but filled with white or grey gravel to add a different texture to the foundation of the patio. This can either be topped with furniture to add another seating spot, or an opportunity to create a gravel garden for the chance to grow a different selection of plants.

 

Within a gravel garden go for plants like Agastache (giant hyssop) ‘Blackadder’ which is a lovely upright perennial that has striking purple flowers that are attractive to bees. Stick to the purple plants for pollinators theme by pairing with Verbena bonariensis (purple top) which has clusters of flowers through summer, growing up to 2.5m tall.

Alternatively, surround a striking tree like an ornamental cherry like Prunus ‘The Bride’ in the centre of the circular gravel area for an extra focal point that will deliver beautiful blossom in spring.

 

 

Plants along pathways

Seeing the main patio as the ‘living room’ of the garden, using large pavers like Light Grey Sandstone have a wonderful effect. No two slabs are alike, meaning it will create a mosaic of colour with blue-grey tones that look stunning when the sun shines and shadows of the plants dance across the surface.

 

 

Uneven yet balanced

The square and rectangular pavers make for interesting pathways that are joined together to create unique shapes to fit the curvatures of the garden. Using the pavers to create an uneven look can be balanced out well by planting low growing plants either side of the path and mulching with bark chippings for a natural and relaxed look.

 

 

Herbs & Hostas

Low growing plants like hostas are fantastic. The beauty of hostas is that they are incredibly useful in the garden because they grow in shade, making them perfect to brighten up a darker corner. ‘Magic Island’ is a lovely choice with eye-catching foliage that’s green and yellow with thicky, leathery leaves. Growing up to 30cm tall, this is perfect for softening paved walkways. Mulching these plants with homemade compost, or bark chippings is a great way of conserving moisture, insulating plants, and suppressing weeds.

 

 

Build me up

What better way to contrast low growing plants next to a walkway or patio than with climbers that can accompany your relaxation and socialisation space?

 

 

Fit a pergola over a seating area to introduce some new plants to the space. Jasminum x stephanense (Stephan jasmine) is a strong growing deciduous climber that has twining stems, joined by small pale pink flowers through summer that have a delightful aroma. Happy in a sunny or partially shaded spot, this hardy choice is a good climber for a low-maintenance garden as it doesn’t demand much.
For an evergreen choice, Trachelospermum jasminoides
(star jasmine) will provide colour all year round with its deep glossy foliage. In a sunny spot with well-drained soil, the white, star-shaped flowers that bloom in summer will be a welcome addition to the space with their sweet-smelling scent.
Utilising different styles and shapes of pavers in a garden can work wonders to make the most out of the space. Seeing your garden in the same light as the interior of a home is a fantastic way of giving different areas of the garden their own personality.

 

 

This month I have selected a video with some fine examples of planting arround the patio area which embodies perfectly the aspects highlighted. 

 

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