Designing a Patio Garden

The backyard can become an ideal place for relaxing and other activities with the addition of a patio garden. One of the greatest things about designing a patio garden is the versatility that it provides. As the seasons change, or perhaps even your tastes, a patio garden can easily be changed around with it to fit the current mood.

Patio gardens come in all sizes and the designs for each vary from home to home. Some homes have an existing patio garden, and others often present themselves in the form of a balcony or deck. Even if you don't have a patio on your property, you can easily create one by using an empty space within the lawn, provided that the area is located close to the home, and preferably near the kitchen. Whatever the case may be, designing your own patio garden is a relatively easy and painless process. In fact, designing a patio garden can actually be quite fun.

With so many design options available, there is no limit to what you can accomplish when you are designing your own patio garden. Some of these design options include the use of container plants, small flower beds, or a mixture of both. The surface area, or floor, of a patio garden might consist of concrete, wood, brick, grass or groundcover. A patio garden can have simple furnishings, such as a plastic lawn chair, or exquisite patio seating, like a wrought-iron, umbrella table with matching chairs. This, of course, depends on your overall patio garden and current landscaping design.

One of the easiest ways to design a patio garden is to choose a particular theme and use it to build the patio garden around. It might even help to put your plans down on paper first so you can see how and where everything in the patio garden should be placed. The patio garden should be large enough to accommodate its purpose, such as grilling and entertaining or just relaxing, as well as any furnishings and plantings. Designing a patio garden relies on available space and how well that space, large or small, is used. For instance, areas with little space can implement container plantings within the patio garden. Just be sure that all containers provide adequate drainage. Also, take advantage of the patio garden's vertical space. Eaves, overhangs, awnings, and nearby tree branches can always be used for adding hanging plants, wind chimes, or bird feeders. Wall fountains or flowering vines that trail along trellises can also make lovely additions in a patio garden while making use of vertical space. These features not only lift the eyes upward but create intimacy within the patio garden as well.

The goal when designing a patio garden is to achieve a comfortable atmosphere. This can easily be accomplished by maintaining balance between empty spaces. Overcome the urge to incorporate too much, however. This only creates clutter. Instead, group plantings or other items together, and be sure that they not only relate to one another but complement your overall theme. You want the patio garden to tie in easily with the surroundings of your home; therefore, complementing all elements or features of your patio garden design is important. For example, if your patio garden design includes paving stones, have this feature complement the style of both your house and the surrounding landscape. Use the same paving elements to create a path from the front of your home to the patio garden itself. Adding paving elements, such as brick or flagstone, paths around the patio garden can also reduce lawn maintenance. This is also a good way to add a patio garden to your home if there is not an existing one available. If your home is that of an older cottage style and your patio garden design includes country appeal, add some rustic touches and perhaps even used paving bricks to achieve that old-fashioned look.

When you are ready to start adding plants to your patio garden, maintain enough room for getting around. Also, consider any weight issues with regards to balconies before loading them down with plants. Pots can get quite heavy, especially filled with wet soil and plants. Sharp edges of the patio garden can be softened with flowers, either in beds or containers. Incorporating layers of small trees and flowering shrubs as well as plants of varying heights, forms, and textures will add visual interest to the patio garden, especially those chosen for seasonal interest. Including a mix of seasonal plantings will keep the patio garden enticing year round. Container plants can be moved around to maintain seasonal interest as well. You should also consider placing plants with indoor viewing in mind and include an interesting focal point such as a small shrub, group of pots, or a fountain.

Garden accessories will be the final touch in designing your patio garden. This includes furnishings and other ornamental décor. When selecting patio furniture, look for durability, especially when it pertains to weather. Also, consider the style and color. This should complement the rest of your patio garden décor and surrounding landscape. Depending on your theme and overall purpose of the patio garden, accents such as chimes, fountains, ornamental objects, birdbaths and feeders can also be added to the patio garden for further enhancement. These, too, can be changed or moved around with the seasons.

There's nothing more enjoyable than spending time outdoors, whatever the season. A patio garden can become a much welcomed addition to your home, providing your backyard with a quiet retreat for relaxing or other activities. No matter what time of the year or your personal tastes, a patio garden can easily be designed to fit the mood.