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…
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!
Pantone colour of the year – Viva Magenta
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
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
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
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
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!
Adding a stylish water butt is a clever addition for 2023.
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.
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
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!
Before: with the old garage removed, the garden needed to be restored
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: a garden for the clients and the wildlife to enjoy
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
Before: This front garden was really difficult to access and 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
Before: This back garden had terrible drainage problems and was overlooked.
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
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
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…
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…
We can help fix your garden drainage issues
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.
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.
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!).
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
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