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Summer is a great time to breathe new life into your garden and redesign the space for more interest. As the warmer weather and longer days encourage us to spend more time outdoors, renovating your garden now makes more sense than ever before.
After all, you are unlikely to spend time in a dull and disinteresting garden. Adding interest to your garden is a way to encourage the whole family to spend more time outdoors.
Making your garden more interesting can be a fun journey and one that can provide lasting benefits. Whether you have a small, urban garden or a sprawling countryside plot, there are many ways that you can make your garden more interesting this summer.
In this guide, we are exploring some of the most effective ways to add interest to your garden to create a space you’ll love to be in.
One of the easiest ways to add interest to your garden is with blooming flowers and thriving plants. Summer is a great season to experience the instant benefits plants can provide to any outdoor space and have a sea of colour right on your backstep.
There is a wide range of plants, trees and flowers that bloom during summer and can therefore offer instant results. However, this does not mean your hard work will not last throughout the year as you can incorporate a range of plant types for a constant bloom even as the seasons change.
It is a good idea to consider adding flowers and plants that bloom at different times, to ensure your garden is consistently interesting throughout the year. Early summer flowers like peonies and irises can kickstart the season, followed by mid-summer favourites such as roses, lilies, and coneflowers.
Late-bloomers like chrysanthemums and asters can extend the visual interest well into autumn and ensure your garden continues to thrive even as the weather changes.
As well as considering when your plants will bloom, and therefore how interesting your garden will appear at specific times of the year, you also need to consider plant placement.
You can make your garden more interesting with an array of plant sizes and shapes, creating areas of depth with unique layers. To do this, consider the height, colour and even texture of plants and flowers before adding them to your garden.
Take your time to consider their placement and pay attention to the overall image of your garden. As a standard rule, taller plants should be placed at the back of borders, with shorter varieties towards the front to create depth and maximise space.
A visually appealing arrangement can make your garden more interesting and continue to offer benefits as the season develops.
For enduring results, don’t just consider flowers. Instead, also incorporate evergreen shrubs and foliage plants across the garden to provide structure and maintain interest even when the flowers are not in bloom.
A comprehensive garden design incorporates both soft and hardscaping elements. Hardscaping covers features such as patios, pathways and decorative structures which can significantly enhance both the functionality and interest of your garden.
Incorporating features such as well-designed decking or patios into your garden design not only completes the look of the garden but makes it more interesting as there are now dedicated areas for outdoor dining or entertaining. Patios are a great addition to all kinds of gardens and can be customised to suit your specific requirements.
When designing hardscaping such as patios, take some time to consider the materials on offer so you can choose the best ones to complement the style of your home and garden. For example, timber patios are ideal for traditional homes whereas sleek tiles can be better suited to modern properties.
Hardscaping features like this can add interest to the garden by enhancing the visual appeal of your property as well as providing more spaces for entertaining.
Pathways are a functional addition to the garden and can also make the space more interesting by creating a sense of adventure and discovery.
Custom pathways can guide visitors through your garden, making the whole outdoor environment more accessible as well as encouraging a sense of play. There are many options for pathways to suit all kinds of outdoor environments, and much like with other hardscaping elements you will want to choose materials that enhance the appeal of your property.
Gravel, brick, or stepping stones can all be used to construct attractive and practical paths throughout your garden, leading to the main entertainment hub or a secluded relaxation zone.
Garden structures like pergolas, arbours or even garden rooms are another great way to add interest to your garden and a great addition to any outdoor space, creating additional privacy and dedicated zones for entertaining or relaxing.
Ideal to use during the summer, these structures can provide shade and make it safer to spend more time outdoors. Whether you want to use it as an al fresco dining area, relaxation spot or play zone for the kids, pergolas can be incredibly useful.
You can add more interest to these structures with decorative elements. From outdoor soft furnishings, like rugs and cushions, to climbing plants that trail across the roof of the pergola, you can add personal touches to keep the garden interesting throughout the summer.
Focal points draw the eye and create a sense of balance and cohesion in the garden and you can create focal points with a range of elements, based on the kind of outdoor space you have and the design you want to implement.
From garden sculptures to water features or even a striking plant, you can develop interesting focal points across the landscape to keep people entertained.
A well-placed garden statue or plant can add a touch of personality to the garden, creating a unique experience for your guests whenever they spend time outside.
For additional elegance, consider water features such as a small fountain, where the soothing sound of running water adds another layer of interest while also creating a relaxing ambience to the space.
If you have a smaller garden or want something more subtle, plants, hedges and trees can also be used to create focal points. Choose something with distinctive characteristics, such as dramatic foliage, unusual bark, or spectacular blooms to ensure it is interesting.
When designing focal points, whether this is a water fountain or plant, you will need to make sure that the surrounding area complements it, without overwhelming it.
Even if you are short on space, you can still make your garden more interesting and create an engaging environment this summer.
Vertical planting is a great way to add more colour and natural life to your garden without requiring too much floor space. For this planting is done vertically, such as against fences or other structures, instead of in the ground to save on space while also ensuring there is interest throughout the garden.
Climbing plants, hanging baskets, and vertical planters can all contribute to a more dynamic and layered look without taking up precious floor space.
Install trellises or garden screens to support climbing plants like honeysuckle, jasmine, or climbing roses and incorporate these throughout the garden. Not only do these features add height to the landscape, but can also provide privacy by shielding from overlooking neighbours and can disguise unsightly walls or fences.
Hanging baskets filled with trailing plants like petunias or fuchsias can add bursts of colour at eye level, keeping the interest throughout the garden. Vertical planters or living walls are perfect for small gardens or balconies, allowing you to grow a variety of plants without taking up ground space ensuring that everyone has an exciting outdoor environment they can be proud of.
Vertical planting does not have to revolve around traditional garden plants, as there are other options out there. For example, herbs, succulents, and compact flowering plants all thrive in vertical arrangements and can add interest to any outdoor space you have available this summer.
Garden lighting is more than just a functional tool, as it can also help extend the enjoyment of your garden well into the evening. Not only does the additional illumination keep your garden safe and accessible when the sun goes down, highlighting pathways and stairs to prevent injury, but it can also be an excellent tool for ambience.
There are many options for outdoor lighting, ensuring that no matter what kind of mood you want to create it is possible. For example, string lights, lanterns, and solar-powered stakes can create a warm and inviting atmosphere ideal for outdoor seating areas or al fresco dining.
Uplighting can be used to highlight trees and architectural features throughout the garden, ensuring the interest does not fade when the sun goes down.
As well as the decorative features, consider installing motion-sensor lights near seating areas and entry points for added security.
Fairy lights and candles in hurricane lamps can create a magical mood and are a great way to keep the kids interested long into the night.
With so careful consideration and variation, outdoor lighting not only enhances the garden’s beauty but also makes it more functional and welcoming after dark.
Encouraging wildlife into your garden will make it an interesting space all throughout the year.
You can develop a uniquely vibrant and dynamic ecosystem, based on your location, by appealing to the wildlife around you. For example, planting native plants will provide food and shelter for birds, bees and butterflies encouraging all kinds of thriving life into your garden during the summer.
Bird feeders, baths and nesting boxes can attract a whole range of feathered friends to your garden and ensure each day will be soundtracked by beautiful birdsong. For additional wildlife interest, consider adding a pond or water feature which can become a haven for frogs, dragonflies, and other creatures during the hot months.
If you are going to cultivate an inviting environment for wildlife, more needs to be done than just adding specific garden features. You should also avoid using pesticides and opt for organic gardening methods to protect the beneficial insects which are now interested in your garden.
By creating a wildlife-friendly environment, you contribute to biodiversity while enjoying the sights and sounds of nature which is something the whole family can enjoy.
With some careful consideration of garden design and landscaping, you can transform your outdoor space into an interesting and engaging environment the whole family will enjoy.
Each element outlined in this guide, from seasonal blooms to garden structures, adds a unique layer of interest to the garden and contributes to a wider appeal. Combining these elements can create a bespoke garden that is both beautiful and functional.
Whether you are enjoying a quiet morning coffee or hosting a summer barbecue, a well-designed garden enhances every moment spent outdoors and keeps things interesting as the seasons change.
Making your garden more interesting can be a rewarding project, but one that requires expert knowledge and skills to get right. Working with a professional team ensures enduring results and a cohesive design for your garden.
If you’re looking for professional assistance, our team at Surrey Landscapers is here to help. We specialise in garden design and landscaping, ensuring every detail of your outdoor space is perfectly tailored to your needs and preferences.
Contact us today to discover how we can add interest to your garden and bring your vision to life.
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