Moments made in your garden

While most, if not all of us, yearn to be outside more, we seldom consciously set out to create memories, but looking back, there are moments in our lives that stand out like shining beacons, and if you have anything in common with us, most of those moments will have been made outdoors.

Our memories outlive us and we want to help you and your loved ones discover the “great outdoors”, starting in your own garden, to create unforgettable memories together!

Where do we start making memories in the garden?

More than 4 centuries ago, William Lawson summed up our feelings at ClearSpell, about magical moments in our gardens: “What is paradise, but, a garden, an orchard of trees and herbs, full of pleasure and nothing there but delights,” saying that a garden “makes all our senses swim in pleasure, and that with infinite variety.”

Without a doubt, if we start creating the right kind of outdoor spaces or rooms in our backyard, patio, deck, or even balcony, we will continue to reap the benefits for as long as we live or stay there. In these special areas, we can play games, relax, unwind with friends or family, have barbeques, hold garden and theme parties, and even create our own open-air photo booth, for selfies, group photos, and special events.

Imagine thinking back in twenty years on lawn games like boules and badminton, garden parties, picnics, and celebrations you held with family and friends.

To get advice from experts who are passionate about the outdoors, contact us.

What do we need to make our garden a special place?

Not only is a garden an extension of our homes, it is an extension of ourselves and a reflection of our personalities. Garden layout and design is not only about functionality but most importantly, about how it makes you feel when you’re outside.

Like our homes, our garden should have different rooms, each with its own special character and focal point. For a small garden, patio, deck, or balcony, it is a special outdoor room with one purpose: to enjoy fresh air and as much of nature as we need to boost our feelings of happiness.

Views
Design your garden from the inside out. You want the best views when relaxing or playing in your garden.

Use different colours, textures, smells, tastes, and visual attractions to enhance the appearance and appeal of your garden.

Wow!
First impressions are very important. We have to create a “wow!” factor for anybody who steps into your garden. Do that, and you’ll never get tired of it, even when the appearance changes with the seasons or changes made over the years.

Focal point
A garden without a clear focus can look clumsy or incomplete. By giving your imagination free rein, you can establish a focal point at the heart of a cohesive design that draws you outside to relax in comfort or spend your energies in ways that make you feel on top of the world.

Build a water feature, craft or buy a statuette, or create an original seating space by arranging your outdoor furniture and decorating the “room” with striking plants, garden art, lighting, raised or sunken firepits, barbeque, and whatever else will create a personal connection and welcoming atmosphere.

Secret gardens, almost hidden away, with unique features hold a special appeal, while you can also dedicate specific areas of your garden to a loved one like a grandchild, or create a memorial to those who have passed on.

The right plants and decorations

The design and type of plants and decorations you select for your garden are very personal, but here are some ideas to inspire you and get your creative juices flowing.

Create a theme such as a vibrant and colourful country or cottage garden, a tropical garden, a garden with soothing evergreen foliage, a peaceful zen garden, a fairy garden, a Japanese or Chinese garden, rolling lawns edged with plants, a herb garden, or even a desert garden.

Choose indigenous plants that thrive in your area to complement each other as far as shape, colour, texture, height, and blooms are concerned. If you choose exotic plants, bird feeders, or garden decorations, make sure they stand out but still harmonise with the overall design and appearance of your garden.

In your mind’s eye, see the garden in the other three seasons and design the garden with some evergreen shrubs and trees to form the anchor for your design and intersperse them with seasonal plants that can easily be replaced for the next season.

As a general guideline, place taller plants at the back and cascade them down to low ground cover in the front. When planting trees or shrubs, remember that they grow! Imagine the calamity of a tree that gets huge after a few years or decades, demolishes your fence or pushes up against the walls of your house!

Some gardens will contain edible plants such as vegetables, herbs, and fruit for even greater practicality and enriched multi-sensory experiences.

Decorative features

For a water feature, consider a pond of suitable size, waterfall, fountain, reflecting pool, or birdbath that draws the eye to that spot. The look and sound of water have immense therapeutic value and contribute a lot to the serenity of a garden, or create excitement if that is what you are looking for. Not only do they have a calming and tranquil effect, but they will also attract birds to your garden to make your joy complete.

Winding paths, sometimes disappearing behind a feature or shrub, will create a nature walk that kindles curiosity, makes your garden look bigger, and heightens the sense of adventure and delight.

Enchanting garden lighting

You can create a magical effect with the right lighting in your garden, from a warm and inviting ambience to fairy-tale charm. Uplighting can highlight special features of your garden.

Add string lights, lanterns, candles, and coloured uplights to create a romantic atmosphere, or well-placed path lights to create interesting pools of light and make it safe to stroll in your garden at night.

Vertical gardens

In smaller entertainment spaces and gardens, or to hide an unsightly part of the garden, vertical gardens with trellises and climbing plants, or ornamental shrubs that grow tall can create the feeling of depth and create the illusion of a much bigger space.

Raised beds

If the soil quality is unsatisfactory or if it doesn’t drain well, consider raised beds and pathways throughout the garden.

Outdoor furniture

Only once you have tastefully integrated quality outdoor furniture with your garden, will you fully appreciate the enormous difference they make to the appearance and comfort of your outdoor space.

Choose your garden furniture to match your garden’s purpose, design and style. Our outdoor furniture collections range from stylish contemporary to laid-back, rustic and formal to raise your spirits every time you step outside. We have the full range of top brands Alexander Rose, Norfolk Leisure Lifestyle, and 4Seasons outdoor furniture to meet your every need and desire.

In a small garden or patio, a well-placed garden bench can do wonders, whereas, in a large garden, you can have several diverse seating areas or cocoons and hammocks for a different atmosphere.

Selecting good quality outdoor furniture is an investment in your outdoor enjoyment because it will be more comfortable and last for years and even span generations.

Especially for smaller homes, with the right furniture, the garden can significantly expand your living and entertainment areas.

Host garden parties or gatherings to share the enjoyment of your special space with friends and family.