Perfect patios are slithers of outdoor space that help link the indoors with the outdoor world, providing a smooth transition underfoot that introduces surrounding nature. A well-designed patio is peppered with plant pots, but plants are more than mere decor, and can help enhance your mood. 'Visual cues, such as bloom color, plant form, leaf texture, and shape, typically provide our initial understanding of what creates a serene environment for an individual. Selecting a plant that inherently emits a specific fragrance can effectively enhance the sense of tranquility. In temperate regions, plants with calming and herbal scents, such as Lavandulas, Salvias, Trachelospermum jasminoides vines, and Rosas, offer a diverse range of botanical fragrances that can be appreciated by anyone,' says horticulturist at Paul Sangha Creative, Christian Bendsen. You want plants and flowers that help you feel a connection with the change in the seasons, leaves that unfurl to reveal dramatic foliage that can help create that feeling of seclusion and privacy, and plants that are renowned for their therapeutic properties to help you unwind the moment you step outside.
Of course, the perfect patio plants for you are largely dependent on size and style. 'The aspect of the patio will determine a lot here,' points out Alexander Symes of Alexander Symes Architect. 'Important things to consider that will affect plants on a patio are the amount of light it receives and the amount of wind exposure - which can dry out soils fast.'
