20 www.dobbies.com spring/summer 2012ISTOCK.COMPAVING is a great choice for a patio surface. There are all sorts of types available, from traditional natural materials like York stone, to cheaper concrete look-a-likes and terracotta tiles. Install paving on a hard core, topped with a 5:1 mix of sharp sand and cement. Make sure your work is even with a spirit level as you progress. Keep your paving in good condition by cleaning it with a jet-wash every spring.DECKING is quick to install and useful for covering areas of messy concrete or old patio that look scruffy. It's cheaper than paving, although takes a bit of work to maintain - you should treat it with a preservative every year and keep it clean to stop it becoming slippy. It's easy to make a feature with decking, by raising it off the ground and adding a balustrade and a few steps. Always make sure timber is FSC approved. Material  choicesEasy wateringPatio pots need lots of water to keep them in tip-top shape. Remove the stress of the job by installing a simple irrigation system connected to an outdoor tap - you can direct the supply to all your containers and even introduce a timer for automatic watering. Containers made easyFill containers with striking, evergreen plants for a display to last the entire year. Cordylines (above), phormiums and topiary box shapes are all ideal and have permanent staying power. Use a soil-based compost for these long-lived plants and feed and water them regularly to keep them in good condition. Think verticalDisguise ugly walls and fences with clever plant solutions. Consider a 'green wall' approach, which uses year-round herbaceous plants for a continuous display, or cover the space with lots of hanging baskets filled with colourful summer bedding. Either will bring about a transformation.Add slow-release fertiliser and water-retaining crystals to containers - this will help the display look good year-roundTop tipGARDEN INSPIRATION

spring/summer 2012 www.dobbies.com 21GARDEN INSPIRATIONISTOCK.COMBox Ball and Pyramid (10L)2 for £40Normally £30 eachDobbies Essentials Hanging Basket and LinerFROM £4Patio Plants (9cm)6 for £8Normally £1.99 eachUnmissable offers to save £££s Check out these great savings available in-storeSpecial offersSitting comfortablySomething to sit on is the most important part of a patio, so you need to get it just right. Decide whether you want a table and chairs for dining, or comfy sofas or loungers for relaxing, then consider the style. Wood is good for a traditional garden, glass and metalwork in a contemporary setting and weather-proof rattan is perfect for creating a premium look. Loungers from £85Keep coolA sun-drenched patio is lovely, although can get uncomfortably hot at the height of summer. Have a parasol at hand to create instant shade and that you can move as the sun shifts. Or try a shade 'sail' attached to your house for a more contemporary look. If you want a permanent solution introduce a plant-covered wooden pergola.Parasols from £49Yorkshire Harrogate Planter (42cm)BUY ONE GET ONE FREENormally £19.99Aim to position your patio so it faces west - that way you'll get sun for the afternoon along with the last of the evening raysTop tip