Local Life - Wigan - September 2021

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80 Inside outside decor Garden Trends WHAT’S HOT AND WHAT’S NOT Passion for gardens has probably never been greater. Thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic and the restrictions that we were all obliged to follow, outside spaces have taken on a whole new vibe. The trend for utilising even the tiniest of outdoor areas is probably here to stay – at least for the next few years. This fact is borne out by estate agents who have noticed that at least a quarter of potential property buyers are seeking more green space. Flats with gardens are now hugely popular, whereas a few years ago most people purchasing an apartment weren’t interested in owning outdoor space. Working from home has encouraged people to use every room in their house and to value their garden equally. Many will continue to use their home office rather than commute, because it makes perfect sense.
81 In line with our new appreciation for gardens, many of us have created garden ‘rooms’, where the inside flows into an outdoor kitchen and dining area. The lines between indoors and out have been blurred. It is no longer unusual for people to install outdoor fridges, cookers, storage, food-preparation surfaces and, of course, seating. The latter will probably include a dining table with chairs but also an outdoor lounge with comfortable furniture. Sometimes this can take up most of the garden, but hopefully there will be some attractive planting to provide screening, perhaps a soothing water feature and definitely a firepit so that everyone can stay outside during the evening. Gardens need life Treating a garden as an extension to the home is a developing trend for those who can afford this impressive display of luxury. But is it good for gardens? Paving over lawns and restricting planting to very limited zones isn’t great for biodiversity. Beware of creating a desolate, cheerless space with little life to be found. Most people love the softness that plants bring to hard landscaping, therefore every opportunity should be taken for prioritising plants over paving. Aim to develop a passion for the right plants in the right places. We can all learn from the experts. The re-scheduling of RHS Chelsea Flower Show invigorated people at a time of year when interest is generally waning. We were wowed by the array of plants that look stunning, even though summer had passed. The show exemplifies the very best combination of hard and soft landscaping and this is what we should aspire to. A garden can, indeed, perform many functions and a seating place amongst the planting enables us to enjoy it to the full. Above all else we should make provision for wonderful plants that will attract pollinators, provide structure, movement, scent, colour and soak up the excesses that the sky deposits. Plants absorb pollution, they clean the air and produce oxygen. Just relax by some lush planting and see how it makes you feel – plants really are good for us. The greatest garden trends during the last two years • Al fresco dining, often with built-in appliances and heating and even a retractable canopy. • Extending interior decor into the garden. People now decorate gardens with lanterns, ornaments, colourful accessories, rugs and cushions. Some even sacrifice kitchen dressers, sofas and throws in a bid to make a bold outdoor statement that creates a cosy space. • Grow-your-own is a growing trend. At least fourteen per cent of adults in the UK are following a meat-free diet. Almost half the population now grows fruit and vegetables at home. Not only is it fun and rewarding, but it can be completely chemical-free too. • Dry stone walling, gabion walls using wire baskets filled with stones, and rocks, boulders and pebbles are all increasing in popularity. These contemporary features combine style with function and they provide wonderful nooks and crannies that are valuable for wildlife. • Porcelain garden paving is the surface of choice for a growing number of householders. It’s a rapidly rising trend. Porcelain can look like stone but is less porous, therefore it doesn’t turn green quite so easily. It’s long-lasting, tough, slip-resistant and contemporary. • Sowing seeds and planting for wildlife. There has been a record demand for wildflower and other seeds over the last eighteen months, with sales increasing more than 600 per cent. Allow a little rewilding in your garden and consider it a compliment when spiders and insects populate your space. Don’t be tempted to prune your hedge every time it grows beyond the picture-book rectangle. Try to change the way you see things and avoid the concept of a tidy garden. These can be hostile places in terms of nature. Immerse your seating area within planting
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Local Life - Wigan - September 2021

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