Perfecting the prettiest of patios

The patio is one of the areas in the garden that stands out and gets used the most, so it’s worth putting in a little time and effort to make it as pretty and productive as possible.

Luke Chamberlain, horticultural manager at Dobbies Garden World, Edinburgh, gives his top tips on creating the prettiest of patios.

“There are many great tips and tricks you can do with your patio to a make it stand out and become a welcoming place to relax in those lovely summer days,” he says.

“Vibrant pots make all the difference to patio or doorstep, adding colour and interest for the entire summer. They’re easy to create, and if you choose your plants carefully, won’t cost a fortune.

“Summer bedding plants also develop and flower quickly meaning they’re ideal for all the family to grow. If you’re new to gardening, pick plants like geraniums, petunias, verbena and busy Lizzies (if you’ve got a shady spot).

“Select a design from our wide range and don’t be afraid to experiment with lots of bold, distinctive colours.

“And remember to bear in mind the size of your plants – you don’t want a tiny plant in a huge pot or a large plant in a pot that is too small.”

Dobbies Garden World, Edinburgh, is offering free advice through its Garden Grow-How talks, taking place throughout the summer every Saturday and Sunday between 11am and 2pm.

The short talks cover a wide range of gardening topics, including everything from planting the perfect hanging basket to transforming a patio in five minutes – great for creating the perfect setting for a summer garden party.

Each chat will be followed by a Gardener’s Question Time, where customers can ask Dobbies’ gardening gurus about any of their gardening conundrums.

n Dobbies Garden Grow-How – The five-minute patio, every weekend from June 23 until July 1, between 11am and 2pm.