You might be lucky enough to be the proud new owner of a brand new house, with everything spanking new and shiny, but no existing garden. Sure, there might be some teething problems in the first few weeks or months, but that is to be expected. Alternatively, you may well have purchased a house which has been in existence for some years and which opens up a whole new world of possibilities when it comes to decorating and renovating both the interior and exterior to your own specific taste.
You can have the perfect garden, according to your own taste
Many people tend to forget that the garden is as much a part of the entertainment and enjoyment area of the property as is the house itself, and those are the folk who generally don’t enjoy gardening in any form, and are only too happy to hire a garden service to cut and trim the grass and flowerbeds and carry out a little pruning or weeding on a fairly regular basis. Apart from doing the minimum to keep the surround looking tidy, they will not invest the time, effort, patience and imagination it takes to create a beautiful and eye-catching garden.
Grass or paving/chipped stone? Decisions, decisions …
A big part of a garden is the grass area which often takes up most of the space and provides space for children and pets to play, or simply sets a backdrop for flowerbeds and seating areas. Grass is soft underfoot and a well-cared for lawn is a delight to behold, but is not always easy to maintain, especially when the country is experiencing periods of either drought or flooding. For this reason, and for the sake of economy, many homeowners and housing complex developers are choosing other options, such as paving or chipped stone which are easier to maintain overall and present a very clean – although sometimes rather austere – appearance. They are cost effective in that they do not require watering, fertilizing or weeding on a regular basis, and plants do not have to be replaced annually or when struck by disease. Paving can present clean lines in a variety of patterns and materials which either tone in or deliberately stand out from the main house, depending on what the homeowner wants to achieve.
Don’t let your planting be restricted by the material surrounds of the garden
The rather stark paving or chipped stone surrounds, particularly in larger areas, can easily be softened by the addition of planted pots with brightly coloured plants such as bougainvillea or the beautifully scented Brunfelsia pauciflora (“Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow”) shrub, Camellias, Azaleas and Jasmine plants (amongst many others) which not only look luxurious but have the added advantage of creating wonderfully scented areas whilst in flower. Pots can be placed in the best positions to take advantage of their flowers or scents, such as near patios or living/dining areas. If the pots are on wheeled bases, they can be moved around as needed according to their light needs throughout the year. For this reason, pots provide a wider range of plant choices in one way, as they are not rooted in permanent positions in the garden. On the other hand, many gardeners are choosing to go water-wise and invest in succulent gardening, which is also easier in terms of maintenance and care. Succulents do not need fertilizers, not do they require regular watering, but during especially wet seasons there is always the possibility of rot if they are positioned in clay or heavy soils with poor water drainage, and they do need plenty of direct sun. Their colours are accentuated if they are positioned in just the right place, bringing out the true and sometimes surprising hues of the plant.
Traditional or modernistic – which works best for you?
The traditional gardener will most probably elect to stick to the tried-and-true garden format of lush lawns, flowerbeds, shrubs and trees if there is sufficient space, which is my personal choice, with the driveways or garden paths either paved or bricked and neatly edged. For such gardeners, colour and lush planting is key to a successful, beautiful and enjoyable garden, whilst the more modernist garden planner will go with something less maintenance-intensive and with cleaner lines which, if prepared and laid correctly, will look good for many years. Chipped stone gardens are not ideal for children as they are extremely hard on the feet and children love to be barefoot whenever they can, and if they are toddlers, falls and tumbles will definitely result in more tears than if they are playing on grass.
Your home and garden reflect your own individuality and lifestyle
It all comes down to choice, really, which is as unique as we are as individuals. Whether you plan to go green – literally – and enjoy the benefits and colour of grass and flowerbeds, or opt for minimal maintenance paving, brickwork, chipped stone, cobbles or some form of plain cement/stone combination, you will be choosing something to suit your taste and lifestyle. There is no right or wrong way of gardening and as long as your garden looks neat, tidy and attractive, it will add a great deal of curb appeal and value to your home. Just let your imagination do the rest!
