Landscape & Urban Design Issue 24 2017 | Page 75

Potter and Rest They can also give a comprehensive guide for the care and maintenance of your plants. Patios & paths The 21st century garden is an extension of the home. Entertaining outside and dining al fresco is a fashionable must. Patios and paths bring the indoors out and link your home and garden seamlessly. Creating the right ambience in your garden follows the same principles that an interior designer might adopt when decorating a dining room or any other living space. The materials, colours and textures you use, and the style you adopt, are very important. Stonework & walling This is all about using natural stone and brick paving, creating practical divides or stunning features such as an Italian sunken garden. Fencing & decking Tree surgery Natural products such as wood are not only practical but also beautiful when used within the garden. Fencing provides a pleasant divide between neighbours and different areas of the garden, while decking is a fashionable alternative to paving. Trees can get untidy and they can become dangerous if left untended for many years. A tree surgeon can help keep your trees tidy and safe. Ponds & water features Having moving water in any garden is good for the soul, according to Feng Sui consultants. Whether you agree with this ancient art or not, there is something to be said for using water in your garden. You could have a grand traditional fountain, a modern under lit stream or a simple fishpond. Water provides tranquillity and offers another dimension to even the smallest garden. Turfing & seeding New gardens, bare plots, areas where your grass just doesn’t seem to want to grow need a little bit of TLC. These areas can be turfed or re-sown with grass seeds or even sown as wildflower meadows. They can prune and lop any diseased, dangerous or damaged wood and ensure the tree is left in good health. Beds & borders Creating new beds and borders requires a great deal of skill. Planning is the watch word. If you need some help with selecting the right plants for the spot (you should consider the direction it is facing, the soil type, other conditions like wind and wet and what effect you’d like to achieve) you’re planning to revamp then do get in touch or use our personal shopper service, where we can pick the plants for you and give you lots of free advice. www.potterandrest.co.uk Tel: 01278 440500 Email: [email protected] Landscape & Urban Design 75