With hot, sunny days being limited in the UK, it is important to make the best of them by spending as much time outdoors as possible. Unfortunately, as Coronavirus waves ebb and flow, so too do our movements. Not knowing when we may be forced to stay home again may be a frightening thought, but it should act as motivation for us to transform our personal spaces, including our gardens, into areas of relaxation.
Whether you have a large, country garden, or a small green strip behind your home, whether you’re an entertainer at heart or someone seeking calm and tranquillity, we’re going to offer some tips on how best to style your garden for summer enjoyment.
Serene Space
Many people take a walk through their garden after a day of work to wind down from potential stress. If you want to create a corner of calm within your garden, we recommend planting shrubs that are lightly fragranced such as lavender and chamomile. A bonus is that these plants can be used indoors too: sprinkle a few lavender flowers in your bath and enjoy a relaxing soak, or brew some chamomile leaves into a cup of tea before bed for a good night’s rest.
Pool Party
You don’t need a large garden to host a pool party. A small, inflatable splash pool will work equally well and can be hilarious fun even for adults. You will most certainly make memories, especially with children’s laughter ringing in the background, the men chatting about sports around the grill, and the ladies soaking up the warm rays of the sun. Those homeowners with larger gardens can install more permanent fixtures such as heavy-duty pool loungers or rattan garden furniture in their green space in order to spend as much time as possible outdoors.
Pollinator’s Paradise
The plight of honey bees becoming endangered is gaining traction all over the world. Irrespective of the size of your garden, you can plant trees, shrubs, and herbs that will attract honey bees and other pollinators to your green space. Excellent choices include mint, lavender, geraniums, dahlias, foxgloves, and honeysuckle. For more ideas, speak to your local gardening centre or horticulturalists for advice.
You can also involve your children in the attraction of pollinators by having them make bird feeders or bug hotels which you can add to your garden.
Sublime Stargazing
Why not arrange a romantic evening in the privacy of your garden. All it takes is a little bit of effort and planning; place a warm blanket on the grass, set out a few items on which to nibble, light some tealight candles or lanterns, hold hands, and enjoy the majestic display of stars in the summer night sky.
Make the most of your garden this summer, and even more importantly, make happy, lifelong memories.