Decorate Outdoors

From pots and patterns to statues and tables – eye-catching décor is a must, even in your garden.

- Beatrice Moore-Nothnagel

1.Pots

We all remember the potted plants of days gone by, says Nancy Gardiner in her book Easy Gardening: straight rows of plants in clay pots and tin cans arranged on the veranda. Today, there are so many more options available: pots, urns, hanging baskets and window boxes in all kinds of materials that can be used to create any style or mood.

In his own garden in Pretoria, landscaper André Kruger of Garden Bleu has separated the entrance to the garden with a row of potted lemon trees, each on its own low pillar. “I believe the repetition of certain elements adds rhythm, and rhythm creates tranquillity – hence the duplication of the same pots on identical pillars.”

He says it’s easy to achieve a similar effect but remember to always choose pots in the same shape and size rather than different ones, otherwise it can quickly have the opposite effect and turn into visual chaos. Tip In a small garden especially, containers with attractive and interesting shapes are a boon, writes Nancy. Not only do they serve as a decorative element, but they also house all sorts of plants, from trees and shrubs to annuals and even herbs and vegetables.

2. Holding patterns Different textures and colours add interest to outdoor spaces. In her garden, landscaped by Jan Blok of Blok Designs, Geraldene Downey Paton of Durban has combined pavers, railway sleepers, different coloured pebbles, tree rounds and groundcovers on the garden floor (left) with great success.