All patios benefit from planting, but with a little extra thought and care you can transform an outdoor seating area into a delightful oasis of color and fragrance.
Patio space is usually limited, so it is important to select compact plants that will not sprawl too much. Since patios are usually sited in the sun, aromatic shrubs such as sage, rosemary or lavender should thrive. They make useful 'structure' plants, since they are evergreen, whether they are left free-growing, or perhaps clipped as a low perimeter hedge. Slow-growing small trees can also give structure, as can box (Buxus), holly (Ilex) or bay (Laurus nobilis) carefully clipped into shape once a year.
In a very hot spot, you may wish to consider constructing a trellis or pergola, on which to train climbers. As well as providing shade, these will furnish lovely displays with a mix of plants to ensure interest through the growing season.
Making Planting Pockets
Improve the looks of your paving by introducing some larger plants that will fit in 'pockets'. The simplest way is to remove either part or all of a paving slab -- but think carefully before you decide which ones to remove. Small, close groups of plants are often prettier than singletons dotted at random. And some sites will be more favored than others. Pick the warmest spot for tender plants or those of borderline hardiness, and the most sheltered for those, such as Japanese maples, which hate the wind.
- It is usually a simple matter to chip out a paver, or to crack one across and lift part of it.
- The ground beneath may be poor, so remove as much hardcore as you can and make sure the ground drains adequately. Back-fill the hole with good garden soil, or a mix of soil and potting compost.
Planting in Paving Cracks
Fully paved patios will still allow for plenty of planting. Cracks between pavers are adequate for sustaining a wide range of drought-tolerant plants, including some alpine plants and most thymes. Spring is the ideal time for this i sort of planting, but autumn is almost as good. Avoid planting in the extremes of summer heat or winter cold.
For planting in cracks the ideal mortar, or material between paving slabs, is sand, or a sand/soil mixture. However, cement mortar, unless it is new and very hard, should be relatively easy to chip away in places to make cavities for the plants. If your patio is yet to be paved, be sure to leave space between pavers (2-3 cm / 1 in is plenty) and to fill the cracks with a mix of sand and soil, or sand and potting compost.
If the slabs have been bedded firmly onto a weak sand/cement mix laid over leveled hardcore, there is no need for anything stronger to grout them. When the plants are established, they will help to hold the pavers in position.
If you purchase alpine plants for setting between the cracks, their rootballs may be too big to fit. Trim away some of the roots, using an old knife, until the rootball is small enough to slot in. Make sure that the plants are set deeply enough: the base of the stem should be flush with the paving. Firm them in gently before brushing away any surplus soil. Water well, not only at planting time, but regularly until the plants have had time to develop their root systems.
Patio Tips
- To check drainage, empty a bucket of water into the planting hole and take a coffee break; if the water is still there when you return, do not plant.
- Use old or recycled bricks for a raised bed; they will give a more mellow look.
- If you are unsure whether you want a permanent raised bed, make a small one with unmortared bricks.
- Allow self-seeding plants like wild violets, forget-me-nots and alchemilla to seed themselves around the patio.
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