Tips to Improve the Functionality and
Atmosphere of Your Patio with Plants
by Nicole Martins
When I began to create planting plans for clients in the mid 1990's one of my
main concerns was, how will this collection of plants; the greenery, the
flowering, the size and the shape grow together to create an aesthetically
pleasing arrangement that feels right in its proportion and scale. If you are
looking to create a planting plan for your patio or small outdoor space, the
same concerns need to be addressed. Keep in mind that small spaces require
great restraint, with a plan towards bringing together a cohesive look.
Plants for small and large patios will still be used for similar purposes:
decoratively, to create a focal point, add privacy, screen out unwanted views,
and to create shade and such. No matter what your objectives, plants can
play a significant part in enhancing your outdoor décor. Take a look at the tips
and information below before you get started. Hopefully this approach will take
you from buying plants impulsively or obsessing over a single plant and move you
towards creating a sensible and aesthetically pleasing plan for your outdoor
space.
See Plants In A New Light And Show Restraint
Your outdoor patio is an additional room and with a nice set up you will be able
to relax, cook, entertain and enjoy spending time in your outdoor garden room.
To get the most out of your outdoor room with plants, begin thinking about
plants as structural elements that can help you to create a ceiling and wall
planes, similar to the foundations inside your home. By thinking in these terms,
you will begin to see plants differently and hopefully be inclined to choose
plants based upon form and growth habit rather than a single factor such as
"It's a pretty plant." The problem with this approach is that it doesn't help
you to put together a unified look, or to create an effect. Showing restraint is
one of the most challenging aspects of using plants to create pleasing effects
outdoors. It is important however, that before another lovely plant makes
its way into your shopping cart, and later home, you head to the nursery with a
clear vision of what you want.
Create A Plant Wish List
Consider the size of your patio, it's not endless real estate after-all, and
plants and planters should be chosen thoughtfully. If you or anyone you know
just can't say no to another plant or needs to take in all the homeless, tired
plants out there that's fine, but be careful not to clutter up your patio with
all of them. A helpful approach to selecting plants for your patio area is to
take a good hard look at your space, and put together a wish list of all the
realistic things you want plants to help you achieve; for example: to create
greater privacy and to screen an unsightly view. Some people will want a
way to create shade or to add dimension to a planting bed; others will want to
soften an area, or create a focal point. Whatever your objectives or
constraints, this will get you heading in the right direction.
No Two Patios Are Exactly Alike
While it is very common to find a patio directly off the back of the house,
there are no rules or regulations that make this the ultimate location. Also,
patios come in various sizes and shapes and may contain any number of hardscape
materials: flagstone, concrete, tile, brick, pebbles and such. As for
layout, a large patio may include definition and enclosure with low walls and
planting beds; while a small patio may have just a ground plane dressed in
flagstone with enough room for a table and chairs (see
http://www.everything-patio-furniture.com) and some planters and pots. Each
patio example can take full advantage of plant forms to create pleasing effects
that will maximize every ones pleasure outdoors.
Small Patios: Designing With Plants
Small patio spaces rely not so much on the horizontal plane as on the vertical
plane where the greenery of plants can produce handsome walls, create a sense of
enclosure and privacy, and, screen out unwanted views. Vines are very
useful in small spaces, and garden structures such as trellises and pergolas can
assist them to grow upward without claiming too much valuable patio space. This
is especially true if plants are grown in the ground versus being planted in
pots which will likely take up more room. For certain climates, evergreen shrubs
such as boxwood and privet provide permanent architecture year round and can be
clipped to maintain the right scale for your needs. To find comparable plant
choices for your zone consult with local nurseries and landscapers. Ask for
recommendations of upright or vertical shrubs and trees that don't take up a lot
of horizontal space and/or can handle being pruned to keep them upright.
With all of the nice plant choices available, make use of perennials, shrubs and
trees to create inviting effects. A patio shining with beautiful hardscape
is wonderful, but dull without the bountiful greenery of plants to balance.
Nicole Martins is a contributing author and publisher to
http://www.everything-patio-furniture.com, an online resource that provides
you with great information, articles of interest and reviews of the best selling
outdoor furniture and patio accessories online.