Well Said

Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine for the soul.

Luther Burbank

What plants should be grown in shaded spots?

Plants growing in shaded spots should be accustomed to the specific conditions, otherwise they will stop their growth and will simply rot. Here are some plants which will be ideal for areas where sunlight is scarce.

Plants which should be grown in shaded spots:

• Bellis: viola odorata, vinca minor, glechoma, hypericum, hosta, ranunculus repens, iris sibirica, convallaria majalis, pulmonaria officinalis, galanthus nivalis, muscari, aconitum firmum, fern, etc.;
• Vines: hedera, hydrangea petiolaris, clematis, schizophragma hydrangeoides;
• Broad-leave trees and shrubs: carpinus, ginko biloba, rhododendron, rhododendron molle japonicum, buxus, hydrangea, ribes alpinum;
• Conifers: taxus, Canadian pine, thujpopsis dolabrata

Those are only some examples – there are many other plants which will be good to grow in shady spots. You can find most of them in garden centres. You should ask the shop assistant for an advice – he/she will gladly help you and inform how to take care of the plant so it will stay beautiful for a long time.

Photo by katsrcool

Garden picnic area

It might sound strange, but garden design doesn’t depend on plants alone, no matter how beautiful and well-kept they are. To make your garden unique and noticeable, you have to think about accessories which will complement your chosen garden style. Flower pots, rock formations, ponds – everything has to have its proper place and appearance. But there is one universal addition which will make every garden not only more beautiful, but also functional – dinner table and chairs that will form a picnic area for you, your family and friends. Only a few things are better than having a delicious meal outside in your own garden.

Garden picnic sets are available in many different shapes and sizes, so you’ll surely find something suitable for your own garden. The cheapest, plastic (usually white) garden set is the most obvious and the most known option, but it doesn’t look good in most garden arrangements, is not durable and stains very easily. If you’re serious about your garden design, you should choose something better. Fortunately, there are many alternative solutions on the market.

Wooden tables and chairs or benches can look great in almost every garden and are considered universal. But not every type of wood has appropriate resistance to weather conditions and most of your wooden equipment should be maintained and waterproofed regularly.

You can also consider buying a rattan garden furniture set, as it is lighter than a solid wood one. Such furniture will fit small gardens, as it will not overwhelm the whole design, but it can be also used in bigger exteriors, as rattan furniture weights next to nothing and can be carried to a different spot in your garden easily if you desire to change your usual outside dining area.

Another alternative is table with granite worktops . Most often it is fixed in place (even if not, it is just too heavy to carry it around), so you have to carefully think about the spot you will put it on, but if your overall garden design relies on stone elements (i.e. classical English design with low stone walls, figures, arches etc.), a granite garden table will complement the overall look very nicely. Furthermore, if it’s properly maintained and waterproofed, it will last for years in spotless condition.

Arrangement of a little garden

A properly arranged little garden can be charming. If you design it according to the rules, it will be both functional and beautiful. Here are some tips on garden arrangement.

A huge amount of decoration in a little garden is not a good idea, as it can overwhelm the whole space. One good, eye-catching detail will be much better. You should also avoid multi-colored flower compositions made of a lot of little plant species. You should choose plants which are bigger, but lower and less patulous. Using decorative shrubs instead of trees is a good move. Furthermore, it’s worthwhile to build a low brick wall and decorate it with flowers – this will make the garden more noticeable. Besides plants which are grown in spring and summer, you should also consider growing some which are evergreen – this way your household will look great in every season. What’s more, a small pond, rock formation or a fountain will also add some beauty to the overall appearance of a garden.

You should also remember not to put any big furniture in a small garden, and to put a wooden fence instead of a concrete one, or to enclose the area with hedges or vines. Assigning spaces can be done with rattan fences. It is worth noting that a little garden demands constant attention and care, so it can look harmonious, well thought-out and clean.

What flower pot to choose?

Photo by Stephane Mignon

The decorative value, that a pot should associate with, should certainly be considered later. And there are many possibilities in order to carry this out. Most houseplants are sold in plastic pots. In addition to economic considerations, you are allowed to fit and adorn the pots according to your own taste.

There are many types of pots: porcelain, traditional pots made of clay, ceramic, glass or plastic in various colours and cuts that will fit perfectly into your interior.

All flower pots should have at least one or more drain holes, there is also the possibility of growing plants without holes, but they must contain a layer of the drain (drain- a permeable layer that we can create for a plant, such as the use of egg shells, sea shells, gravel, small pebbles etc.,), in order to prevent the rotting of the roots.

Plastic flower pots usually have a few holes in the bottom, so the plants can be watered less frequently, mainly using the excess water from the base.

Pots with built-in stand are recommended as hanging pots.

When choosing a clay pot, remember, that before placing the plants inside of it, first soak it in water until no air bubbles are emitted (not doing this may result in the pot absorbing the water that was originally aimed for the plant.

How to buy rattan furniture for the terrace?

Holiday time is the period when most people want to stay in the garden and on the terrace. It's not easy to oppose, because when sun warms us, and thermometers indicate considerable temperature, one of the least desirable things we want to do is stay at home.

However, in order for our back garden to be a well maintained place, where people will feel very cosy, you have to somehow take care of it.

In what way though? Well, for example, by buying a solid rattan furniture for the garden, which will contribute to the fact that our garden will be a very nice place. It is also clear to say that without the furniture, it is difficult to feel comfortable in the garden. It should be mentioned that the rattan furniture for the garden, but also the rattan furniture for the patio are perfect examples, and the easiest way to buy them is through online stores. The online stores will certainly find a great furniture for the garden and the terrace.

What is the biggest advantage of acquiring garden furniture and patio on the Internet? Firstly, when it comes to rattan furniture, we have a hundred percent guarantee that we will be able to find a lot of furniture, the cost of which is more than attractive. The prices online can also be quite satisfying. Bear in mind that more and more people are convinced of the fact that if you acquire some kind of furniture, majority of it will be ordered and purchased through the internet.

Of course, some people are still afraid of the fact that their goods will be delivered after a prolonged waiting time, or that the special item will not meet all their expectations. However, it seems to me that these are not legitimate concerns. Not exactly – all it takes is getting in touch with a well recommended gardening store/centre, and without a doubt we will be happy with the purchases made.

The price when shopping online, will also be doubtfully appealing, and we can easily find out, which stores sell furniture at attractive prices. But remember that not only attractive commodity prices are important, but also a very high level of service and good quality products.

Exclusive furniture

Photo by Wicker Paradise

Garden furniture can have a variety of shapes and diverse styling. They can be used differently and have different qualities - both utilitarian and aesthetic. This topic will consider the furniture which is characterized by not only the exceptional comfort, but also aesthetics and careful finishes.

Rattan furniture - a touch of the exotic feeling for your comfort.

The first group of exclusive garden furniture can include furniture made from natural rattan. Rattan is a plant possessing specific properties that affect its popularity in the production of furniture. First-class rattan is imported to us from India or Ceylon, where the thin and flexible stems, are handmade and thus turned into weaving chairs, baskets, Matts etc.

 The undeniable advantages of rattan garden furniture should be their aesthetic looks, therefore they will incorporate perfectly into the landscape of our garden, giving it the charm and raising its prestige. Another plus is their strength, despite low weight. Rattan fits perfectly well with other materials. Designers often combine it with wood, metal or glass. Because it is a material that is suitable for dyeing, we can choose furniture that accurately fits our colour preferences. Furniture made of natural rattan are mostly covered with waterproof varnish - so they are not only clean and comfortable, but they retain their freshness and are easy to keep clean.

There exotic wood furniture is gradually growing in popularity in the UK. This phenomenon is justified because of the excellent properties, which are characterized by exotic species of wood. Exclusive furniture is very often made of wood aptly named ‘teak’. These unique trees occur naturally only in southern and south - East Asia, where they form a vast monsoon forests. Their habitat is mainly the areas located at altitudes exceeding 900 meters.
Find more garden furniture here: http://designsondemand.co.uk/

Garden furniture, wooden, plastic or other materials? Which to choose, and how to maintain?

Photo by Wicker Paradise

The nicest looking furniture is the one made of natural materials, preferably wood or wicker. They effectively present themselves in large gardens and terraces. For a small garden, you should pick the furniture which will be as light as possible, and the one that may be easily folded or manouvered, not only in the garden but also during the transportation from the store. A great idea could simply compose of a table and a simple bench.

The well preserved garden furniture will be beautiful for many years. The easiest ones to maintain are the pieces made of plastic, metal and techno-rattan. Just regularly clean them with water and washing-up liquid, not much is required. Furniture of other materials should be protected from rain and frost with special chemicals.

Less durable man made materials

The most common man made furniture is the one made out of plastic. They are available in many colours, they are certainly very light and the cheapest among the available garden furniture. Plastic furniture is also resistant to rain and does not require any complicated treatments - just wipe them with a damp cloth, and the problem will be solved! Unfortunately they have some disadvantages. They are often of poor quality – eventually the colour fades when exposed in the sun for too long, in addition they are susceptible to mechanical damage and are not counted as the most elegant furniture.

A dignified furniture of wood

Another suggestion for the garden furniture, is furniture made of wood. They have different forms, ranging from simple, elegant and traditional - made of logs. They can be made from domestic wood such as oak, beech, pine or perhaps exotic wood. They are much more durable than plastic and although they are quite expensive (4 folding chairs and a table made of exotic wood can be bought at the market for about £190) they can serve us for years, just maintain them properly, and they will sustain their beautiful nature for a lifetime. This maintenance should be usually and preferably performed before and at the end of the season. In order to do this we could use many different products, ranging from various varnishes or oils. The only disadvantage is the weight of the furniture and the related problem of moving it about.

Wicker and rattan furniture in the garden

Another suggestion for the garden furniture are the pieces made out of wicker or rattan. They are light and are very popular. Suitable for most gardens, although they present themselves the best on terraces, when surrounded by flowers. Just like wooden furniture, rattan furniture should be protected from rain, harsh sun, and in winter should be kept inside an interior. If properly maintained, they can serve us for years. Another variation of this furniture are pieces made out of techno-rattan – meaning a plastic imitation of rattan, though this material is certainly more durable and without a doubt, it can be left out in the rain or sun.

In order to clean wicker furniture, you certainly cannot use soap - it would otherwise turn the furniture into a grey and dull colour over time. You can paint them with clear or coloured varnish that will protect them from moisture. The wicker covered with spirit stains also presents itself beautifully. Before we do so, however, be sure to degrease the furniture with spirit solvents.

In terms of rattan garden furniture you need to vacuum it at least once a week and wipe with a damp cloth –in order to prevent the dust layer formation. We can also wash them with a cloth or a soft brush moistened with water. To prevent drying and cracking of the wicker and rattan furniture, simply gently rub them with vegetable oil or sunflower from time to time, thus after polishing them with a clean cloth. First, however, you should warm up the oil slightly in order for it to be used more easily.