Ideas needed to make my patio more cosy!

[Jungfraujoch]

Photo attached! (Excuse the washing line it’s not usually there!). I’m thinking of either planters either side or maybe large pots? Help please!

I know nothing about gardening but my first thought looking at that was to build a pergola and make it into a more enclosed space. Or just tall trellis either aide maybe. Then you could string lights across at night too.

Thank you. In the summer I have a huge umbrella that covers it with lights and heat lamps underneath. So it’s really the sides I want to try and ‘cosy’ up.

A selection of pots and leafy plants would look good. Perhaps a solar poweredwater feature

You need to bring the surrounding colour round in front a bit - maybe pots, maybe plant up beds in front so you have a definite border from the lawn and an entrance to walk through. It looks lovely and sunny!

Would olive trees cut the mustard? I have a big one and I absolutely love it - I want to buy more of them once I've saved up a bit. They are very soft-looking and pair beautifully with lavender and rosemary etc to create a bit of a Mediterranean look. That's not the look you have currently but if you are in the south east it will be sunny enough to make it really worthwhile for the summer months.

I have bamboo in a big pot (clumping kind), it's sbout 5 ft high and would look nice at the edges with shorter plants coming in from the sides if you see what I mean.
Looks like a lovely sunny spot 🌞

Elizabeth yes! Since that picture I have added a eucalyptus and olive in pots so I think I need to splash out and continue the theme then. I’m on the south coast so generally lucky with the weather!

I'd put a planter each side with big, colourful flowers. A taller one on the left so it doesn't look too matchy-matchy. I looked up 'two-level planter' online and got lots of examples, including these:
www.ruby-group.co.uk/products/copy-of-3-tier-planter
or
www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1165562309/deluxe-decking-planter-3-tier-handmade
or
www.onegarden.co.uk/grow-your-own/planters/raised-planters/zest-ladder-planter

Presumably the bare earth around the patio will soon be full of flowers, either bulbs currently waiting to come up or already growing plants you can choose at a garden centre or market stall? I'd go for plants long enough to drape over the edge of the paving. Lovely softening effect.

Have fun!

I bought my olive tree from this nursery when it was on sale and they were brilliant. I had to make sure I would be home to take it in when it was delivered so ordered a few weeks ahead. When the chap delivered it, he brought it to the end of the driveway for me - it comes on a big pallet well secured so it wouldn't fit through the gate and I had to unpack it to get it into the garden but the service was excellent and the tree arrived in perfect condition. Would recommend.

www.suttonmanornursery.co.uk/olive-trees/?gclid=CjwKCAiAmJGgBhAZEiwA1JZolu82oSusp-eQWGJ7zohVU3iPx2A7lknRma3ABszhLrccSODUeC3PbRoCH7sQAvD_BwE

Large bamboo in a pot is a good idea too thank you - I have it in the ground at the other end of the garden. Planters are interesting but I think I prefer pots tbh / a mix of different plants.

Thanks for the link Elizabeth - they look great quality plants. Did you plant yours in the garden or leave in the pot?

It's still in the pot at the moment but I am going to put it in a deep raised bed once the cold snap is over.