| All too often the garden becomes almost an after | | | | subject to planning. Many plants and even trees are |
| thought and the last priority in a restricted home | | | | quite happy to spend their lives in containers |
| improvement budget. For me this is a travesty, as | | | | providing they are kept watered and the nutrients in |
| the garden is probably the largest room of the house | | | | the soil replaced. With the benefit of computerised |
| and deserves the same thought and design afforded | | | | irrigation and slow release fertilisers this is very easy. |
| to the kitchen, living room or bathrooms. It is very | | | | Now we come to the design itself. For those seeking |
| often the feature which can make the difference | | | | something a little different from their garden, many |
| between selling a home or not. | | | | would be surprised to learn that even in our less than |
| Even small London or city gardens, where space is a | | | | perfect English climate, it is possible to create a |
| premium, can be transformed into a haven of | | | | tropical looking garden utilising a host of exotic plants |
| architectural foliage and fabulous areas for summer | | | | from around the world which will not only survive, |
| dining and entertaining, adding not only value to the | | | | but literally flourish even enduring snow, ice and the |
| home, but a new dimension to living space. | | | | harshest of winters. |
| Remember, the garden should not be considered as a | | | | Just imagine a sub-tropical paradise of palm trees, |
| separate entity, but more as an extension of the | | | | bamboo, big leaf architectural plants such as banana |
| living room. In our short summers it should be a | | | | and all here in the UK. This works particularly well in |
| magnet drawing family and friends to it at every | | | | small London and inner city gardens creating an |
| available opportunity, and in winter the view should | | | | instant impact with dense tropical foliage, creating a |
| be one which serves to remind that spring is not too | | | | real urban jungle. Even though one can be more |
| far away. | | | | adventurous in the city where the micro climate |
| The design and planning of a garden is the starting | | | | allows for more tender plants, it is possible to create |
| point. The chosen style and design should reflect the | | | | an exotic garden in all but the coldest parts of the |
| home and not be at odds with it. One needs to begin | | | | UK. |
| by addressing any unsightly features. Even an ugly | | | | Tropical gardens play with different textures of |
| view can be softened with careful thought to | | | | foliage and colour is used in splashes of hot vibrant |
| planting. Equally, privacy should be protected without | | | | reds, oranges and yellows provided by exotic flowers |
| the prying eyes of neighbours overlooking. Once | | | | such as cannas and gingers. Natural materials such as |
| again this can usually be achieved with strategic | | | | hardwood decking and terracotta work particularly |
| planting. Common garden fences can be camouflaged, | | | | well with this design theme as do ponds and water |
| as can sheds, which may serve as essential storage, | | | | features. Creating an exotic garden full of drama is an |
| but lend absolutely nothing to the overall design. | | | | exciting and different approach to your garden |
| The next priority is the patio, the size of which | | | | design, and with evergreen trees and shrubs interest |
| should at the very least, accommodate the | | | | is created throughout the seasons. |
| occupants of the household, and if space allows, | | | | For larger gardens one can also create a more |
| provide for entertaining. Tables and chairs should fit | | | | structured and manicured look imitating some of the |
| comfortably with plenty of room to walk around, and | | | | great gardens of the Mediterranean. Stately palms |
| the golden rule of never blocking the entrance from | | | | and other spiky plants work well together in the |
| the house into the garden always adhered to. Ideally, | | | | company of cypress trees and other trees and |
| patio depths should be a minimum of 4 metres. Quite | | | | shrubs normally associated with the warm dry regions |
| simply, skimpy patios look awful. | | | | of the world. In spring and summer the garden should |
| The hard landscaping of the garden and the choice of | | | | become a riot of colour led by trees like acacia |
| materials is paramount and whilst budget may | | | | dealbata, which literally lights up the sky with |
| ultimately dictate the finishes, always try to aim for | | | | gorgeous mimosa flowers. |
| the best you can afford. For example, cheap pine | | | | For those who prefer a more minimalist approach to |
| decking looks like a budget finish from the day it is | | | | their garden design, contemporary garden design |
| installed, let alone after a year or two, when it will | | | | shifts the emphasis from planting to the hard |
| become a slippery algae covered liability unless | | | | landscaping. Unsightly fences can be disguised by |
| regularly maintained. A good quality hardwood deck, | | | | camouflaging them with slatted Venetian cedar. The |
| on the other hand, will look beautiful for many years | | | | contemporary garden design has bold lines, strong |
| to come with very little maintenance and in the grand | | | | shapes, and absence of any fuss, pure form, strong |
| scheme of things, the extra cost is money well | | | | structure and 21st century techno. The garden should |
| spent. In a contemporary or minimalist garden where | | | | lend itself to entertaining and low maintenance, |
| the emphasis really focuses on the hard landscaping, | | | | although whilst planting is minimal, it is architectural |
| the quality of the materials becomes even more | | | | and should make a strong statement. Finally, mood |
| relevant. | | | | lighting is an essential ingredient, not only within the |
| For those who live in an apartment or are denied a | | | | contemporary garden, but for any style of garden, |
| garden, remember that flat roofs or terraces can | | | | making the largest room of the home a room for |
| equally be transformed into very inviting and useful | | | | living by day as well as by night. |
| outdoor spaces, although a roof garden maybe | | | | |