Garden Trends for 2023

Happy New Year! We may not always want to be outside in our gardens during winter but that doesn’t mean we can’t plan what we want to do with them in the coming year. At Vialii, we always have our fingers on the pulse when it comes to garden trends and this year is no different. So sit back while we share with you the garden trends for 2023…

Pantone Colour of the Year

One of the first things we like to check each year is what the Pantone colour of the year is and this year we are LOVING the choice – Viva Magenta! Rooted in nature, this vivid red features in a plethora of planting from hydrangeas and rhododendron to heucheras and echinacea. It’s also a gorgeous colour to add to your garden through the addition of cushions, painting raised beds, adding planters and much more. Gorgeous!

viva-magenta

Pantone colour of the year – Viva Magenta

Perfect Porcelain

2023 will see demand for porcelain rise as the prices become more competitive with the ever popular sandstone. Not only does porcelain paving give off those high-end vibes, you can relax without having to worry about stains and algae appearing on your new perfect patio and paths.

Lovely porcelain paving

Lovely porcelain paving

Luscious Lawns

In recent years artificial grass has proved popular but we see those trends fading away and real lawn will be in demand again in 2023. With artificial grass being a high carbon footprint product to manufacture and ship as well as being an eco nightmare at the end of its life, more and more garden designers and clients are turning their backs on plastic and ensuring a high quality real lawn is a feature in 2023.

Luscious lawn

Luscious lawn

Inside Out

2023 sees more and more demand for outdoor living – from outdoor sofas and rugs to garden kitchens featuring state of the art BBQs, sinks and pizza ovens, gardens are the new “out out” for this year. And saves you the taxi back home!

An Egg BBQ is a great way to cook outdoors

An Egg BBQ is a great way to cook outdoors

Zen Zones

As the world around us gets more and more stressful, we will need those spaces in our garden where we can relax and forget about worries. For some that will be an entire Japanese zen garden, for others it could be the additional of a much yearned for water feature or a relaxing swing chair. Whatever it may be, create your zen corner in 2023.

A relaxing egg chair

A relaxing egg chair

Water Wonders

After the droughts and high temperatures of 2022, thinking of how to look after your garden in 2023 is key. Thinking of the types of planting and how they could be watered during a potential hose-pipe ban is important. Also, thinking for alternatives to hose-pipes such as stylish water butts will be an important factor this year. As always, we can ensure your garden is both stylish and practical at Vialii!

Stylish water butt

Adding a stylish water butt is a clever addition for 2023.

Edimentals

As we all try to be more environmentally friendly and healthy, thinking about where our food comes from is a key trend. And saves us money too which is always a bonus! But this year you don’t need to ditch your patio for a veg bed, “edimentals” are on trend which means mixing your edibles (your fruit and veg) in with your ornamentals (your shrubs and flowers!). Not only will your veg look great (courgette flower anyone?) but you will get cheap, organic food through the summer.

edimental

Create an edimental garden in 2023

For help with designing and building your garden in 2023 get in touch for a free initial consultation. Here’s to a wonderful year ahead in our gardens!

All at Vialii

 

Transformers – Gardens in Disguise! Part 3

You loved Part 1 of our Before & Afters feature. And you adored Part 2 of our garden make-overs. So we are back with the third installment in our ever popular feature on our garden transformations. Below are some of our recent projects with our clients’ favourite feature – the before and after photographs!

A city retreat, Edinburgh

Before: with the old garage removed, the garden needed to be restored

Before: with the removal of the garage, the garden badly needed tackling

Before: with the removal of the garage, the garden badly needed tackling

 

After: two new patios, two water features, a dry-stane seat and new planting all combined to transform this garden into a peaceful haven in the city.

After: garden transformations for the clients and the wildlife to enjoy

After: a garden for the clients and the wildlife to enjoy

A low maintenance garden in Stirling

Before: A waterlogged garden with no focal points

Before: a waterlogged garden with no focal points

Before: a waterlogged garden with no focal points

After: A dining patio, evening patio with pergola, new veg area, standing stone water feature, wildlife friendly planting and artificial grass all transformed this garden.

After: all parts of the garden were now usable

After: all parts of the garden were now usable

A front garden makeover, Stirling

Before: This front garden was really difficult to access and maintain

Before: poor access and difficult to maintain

Before: poor access and difficult to maintain

After: The garden was given a make-over with a sandstone cobble path combining with a curving gravel path and lush green planting.

After: even in a small garden journeys can be created and interest added

After: even in a small garden journeys can be created and interest added

A contemporary courtyard garden, Larbert

Before: This back garden had terrible drainage problems and was overlooked.

a waterlogged and overlooked garden

a waterlogged and overlooked garden

After: A new drain along with fencing, patios, a bespoke water feature and feature shrubs transformed the space.

contemporary fencing encloses this garden whilst still exposing the historic wall

contemporary fencing encloses this garden whilst still exposing the historic wall

If you are interested in having your own garden designed, click here to contact us for a free design consultation.

Thanks for reading.

All at Vialii

Money Down The Drain? Never!

One of the most common problems we come across when we go to see new clients is a sodden lawn and garden drainage issues. And after the Winter we have just had they are even more prevalent! And whilst we can’t fix the weather, there is a lot that can be done to help fix your flooded garden…

Garden Drainage Issues

Drainage drainage issues are becoming increasingly synonymous with new build homes but they can prevail in pretty much any garden. In new estates, gardens are often littered with builders’ rubble and more often than not insufficient subsoil is removed and not enough good quality topsoil is brought in. In other gardens, soil may have become compacted, the soil may have too much clay content or the lawn may be shaded by overgrown trees. Or there may be some hidden drainage problem which needs to be addressed. Every garden is different and we always recommend getting expert advice. Here are some of the ways we help our clients tackle their soggy bottoms…

Garden drainage issues

We can help fix your garden drainage issues

Aeration

When soil becomes compacted it’s necessary to put some air back into the lawn area. The grass is spiked and, where necessary, cores removed. A sandy loam mix is then brushed in. Remember, if you have a problem with soggy grass, avoid walking on it in wet weather as you will compact it even more. Foe more info on looking after your grass click here.

Drainage channels

Where the flooding is bad, adding drainage channels can help improve the situation. The extent of the problem will determine the amount of channels required and how much of the existing turf will need to be removed and new turf laid.

New turf

If the lawn has been laid on poor quality soil, it may be wise to lift the grass and remove the top soil and any rubble. We would then rotovate the area thoroughly, dig in lots of organic matter, sand and grit before adding good quality top soil and then laying new, good quality turf. It may sound like a faff but it could be the best way to give you a LLL (long-term lovely lawn!).

Artificial turf

Whilst you can lay artificial turf on a wet area without tackling the drainage problem, you should still consider additional drainage measures if you’re problems are severe. We would recommend following the same steps as with laying new turf and if really bad consider drainage channels too.

Artificial grass is an option to overcome issues of a sodden lawn

Artificial grass is an option to overcome issues of a sodden lawn

However. sometimes you need to know when to quit and try something else. In some gardens the aspect, soil and elevation may mean that a lawn is not a practical solution (or perhaps not for the whole garden). Gravel is one great alternative as it’s relatively low cost, low maintenance, hides lots of sitting water and can be softened by planting, pots, statues etc.  Or go with the flow (excuse the pun) and install a pond in that area of the garden.

There will be different solutions to suit every garden but we are happy to visit and give you our friendly advice and a free estimate.

All at Vialii

Faking It

More and more in recent times, clients have been asking us about using artificial grass. It used to be fake grass looked just that – fake. It was more akin to the base for a Fuzzy Felt scene (Google it kids!) and was far from being the building blocks of a stylish garden. These days, there are a myriad of products in the market place ranging from the cheap and cheerful (think old style football pitches) to the luxe end of the market. Many of the qualities on offer look just like real turf – some even have thatch in them to make them look even more real!

Now, it’s not for everyone and if you have the conditions and time to care for the real thing we would always recommend that route. A beautiful real lawn is one of life’s real pleasures. Sometimes though, the fake stuff can be the right choice for you. Here are just some of the benefits…

Artificial grass is commonly mistaken for real grass

No need to cut the grass anymore! Get the lawn mower on eBay and from now on Sunday afternoons can be spent with your feet up with a nice cuppa instead of tackling the cobwebs in the shed to get the mower and strimmer out. You just need to find a way of getting out of cleaning the car instead!

No need for fertiliser, lawn weed killer, aeration, scarifying or the many other lawn treatments required to keep your grass looking green and lush. Some of these can have an adverse effect on the environment too so you are being eco-friendly by switching to the fake stuff.

Artificial turf is a great solution for pets and kids who can be prone to digging or generally getting everything, especially themselves, covered in mud from playing on grass. It is also a great solution on high traffic areas.
Cost! OK, so the initial costs are comparably higher than traditional turf, but long term you save money on mowing, treatments etc.

Fake grass can help with drainage issues although you will need to ensure a suitable base and possibly a drainage solution are installed along with the new grass.

There’s no need to water your new fake turf. A new laid traditional lawn needs a lot of TLC whilst it beds in and in hot summers with little rain (OK, we can but dream) you will need to keep your traditional lawn watered.

Before: a waterlogged lawn

Before: a waterlogged lawn

 

After: a lawn for all weathers

After: a lawn for all weathers

Whilst most clients want to consider artificial turf as a direct replacement for a traditional lawn there can be other, more innovative ways to utilise fake grass in your garden. One of our favourite ideas was showcased in the Urban Plantaholics Kitchen Garden at the Chelsea Flower Show 2010. The garden was created for an eccentric chef who had a passion for plants but didn’t want to cook at home. A fitted kitchen became plant pots with plants growing out of kitchen drawers and appliances! A cave-like seating area was encased with artificial turf with water cascading down the front. The magical grotto created using the fake turf showed that it doesn’t need to simply be used on flat surfaces that are to be walked upon.

The Urban Plantaholics Kitchen Garden

The Urban Plantaholics Kitchen Garden

For more information on introducing artificial turf to your own garden either as a lawn or as an innovative art installation, contact Vialii now for a free consultation.

Thanks for reading.

All at Vialii