Looking forward to autumn, it’s one of the loveliest times to be a gardener. The beauty of plants; their shapes, their foliage, and their natural colours, can be classed as a form of art this season. There is a whole other world of gardening possibilities after summer flowers have faded, your garden can still be enjoyed with planted container displays. And once the sun goes down, the enjoyment can continue by creating an al fresco lounge space– an extension of your home where you can relax and socialise. We take a look at how you can create the finest autumn displays and extend the season for friends and family.
Autumn Potscaping
Potscaping, quite simply, is landscaping with pots. This element is often used in garden design and is ideal for smaller gardens where a focal point or impact is needed. Potscaping also offers an easy way to add colour to a home’s exterior without digging or weeding in flower borders. By grouping large containers by different sizes, and different colours, powerful and colourful displays can be achieved easily and effectively throughout autumn.
We recommend that you choose containers that are different sizes but complement each other in terms of shape, design and material. Our range of
large terracotta pots is the ideal material to consider for a cottage garden. Why not plant in our
Julius XXL Planter which is available in three sizes, evoking a romantic and traditional feel with its autumn colours palette, filled with heucheras and seasonal blooms gently swaying in the breeze with bees and butterflies drifting delicately from planter to planter.
Great potscaping also means turning ordinary plantings into extraordinary ones. Always follow the Thriller, Filler and Spiller method for the wow factor in your potscape. Great plant displays include a “thriller,” a tall plant usually with strong colour and structure, a “filler,” plants that fill the space hiding the soil and a “spiller” that cascades over the rim of the pot.
We love using focal shrubs in the
Ancient Collection Extra Large Glazed Plant Pot like cordyline with its bright, spiky foliage. Dwarf conifers with their erect, evergreen sprays are ideal to add height, whilst ornamental grasses add movement and structure. The statuesque stems and red hot Kniphofia, under-planted with autumn bedding, perennials and small shrubs will guarantee to illuminate any potscape.
Fire it up
As the weather cools and the nights draw in, it’s time to get your garden, yard or patio into shape as you embrace the autumn evenings. An outdoor fire pit is the latest must-have accessory for your garden and ideal for evening socialising with friends and family. Whether it be a wood-burning fire pit or gas fire pit, it provides the perfect finishing touch to your alfresco area.
We stock a large array of wood fire pits that are ideal for adding an outdoor hot spot. Our H
oole Tintagel Steel Fire Pit With Stand is a traditional fire bowl that will transform your garden into a relaxation destination and can be used all year round to provide a comfortable ambience in the cooler evenings.
There’s something for everyone this autumn, no matter what your outdoor setting is. You can use fire pits for staying warm, or even to cook your food. And, even better, it provides a focal point, something to arrange your chairs around as your gathering strays into the evening.
The
Wakehurst Outdoor Wood Burning Fireplace is a show-stopping hub, ideal for a larger gathering that involves corner or benches seating. If you have a smaller outdoor space, the
Hoole Ember Steel Chiminea is a sleek metal fire piece that allows you to extend the party into the evening.
Even on the colder days, a gas fire pit will ensure your back garden is not out of bounds. Installing a fire pit that runs gas will provide heat in an instant. The
Grey Concrete Round Premium Outdoor Gas Fire Pit With Lava Rock is a crowd-pleaser with its modernistic look, whilst being easy and safe to use and requiring very little maintenance.
Once you’ve installed your brand new fire pit, you can enjoy its benefits not just in autumn but all year long, giving your outdoor space a new lease of life. The impressive heat the flames give off provides all the warmth you need regardless of the season. Perfect for those winter nights - Halloween, Bonfire night, even a Christmas or New Year toast, your new fire pit will be ever-present in your life.
ENDS:
WORD COUNT: 747
