A patio is a great way to expand your living space to the outdoors. Whatever the size of your yard, adding a patio will transform it into a functional space that you can really enjoy. But a patio can sometimes leave your yard without much green space. Try some of these methods to add greenery to your Hicksville, NY, patio.
Container Planting
Container planting is one of the easiest and most popular ways to add greenery to a patio. Containers are available in unlimited sizes, styles, and colors, so they will work with any style of landscape design. For a large patio, combining planters with other methods of greenscaping will provide layers of greenery that feel more natural.
If you don’t have a lot of space, there are still ways to create the look of a lush patio. Grouping containers together will produce the illusion of a larger greenspace. If you have limited ground space, having posts installed for hanging plants will allow greenery to cascade downwards. Having planters mounted on outside walls will add greenery without taking up valuable floor space. If your patio backs onto your house or other outbuilding, window boxes filled with flowers will add a splash of color around the patio.
Built-in Planting Beds
Raised planting beds are a popular way to add both structure and greenery to a patio. Raised beds can be designed to complement any style of landscape. Beds constructed from wood are one of the most common options because wood is cost-efficient and easy to customize. If you have a more modern patio, concrete wall units or natural stone is extremely durable and versatile and will create stunning hardscaping elements. Incorporating beds for tall plants can help define the perimeter of your patio, or visually divide the space into outdoor rooms.
Designing patio surfaces with planned gaps for greenery will allow plants to encroach on your patio without taking over. Incorporating groundcover such as thyme or moss to fill spaces between flagstones or pavers softens the look of the stone. Strategically placed patches of greenery can also be used to create paths and help direct the flow of traffic. Include ornamental grasses in border beds to add movement to a still patio.
Privacy Screening
Creating privacy around the patio is a top concern for many homeowners. A row of cedar or boxwood hedges will create a living wall that adds privacy as well as greenery. Including a trellis planted with creeping vines can provide screening and help separate the patio from other outdoor spaces.
A combination of plants of different heights can create privacy in specific areas of your patio while leaving others open. Include taller trees and shrubs to shield a seating area from view.
Use Existing Greenery
If you have a naturally green yard, a good design can create a patio that feels harmonious with nature. Allowing a patio to meet the landscape will create a soft transition from living space to natural elements. Backing a patio onto a heavily planted area will create a private and secluded space with a lush green backdrop.
Locating your patio near existing hedges or trees can create a natural border without any additional planting or construction. To incorporate a mature tree into your patio, have the patio designed around the tree. The tree will provide a focal point, as well as natural shade and shelter.
