Turn your garden into a romantic Eden

Tired of gazing out your window to be greeted by nothing but straggly weeds? Many couples want to make their garden a peaceful, romantic retreat, but they don’t know where to start. The key lies in seeing your garden’s potential. Remember to take a holistic view when creating your paradise – colours, scents and landscaping are all key elements of a beautiful garden.

Here are some useful tips on how to turn your garden into a space you and your partner won’t want to leave.

Decision time

The first step when creating your romantic Eden is to decide what you want and make sure you and your partner share the same vision. For a garden to be truly tranquil and romantic it needs to have continuity. Having one modern corner of the garden that’s sporting pebbles and succulents and another that’s channelling cottage chic will feel anything but relaxing. Once you have a theme for your garden, you’re halfway there.

Aromatherapy

Scented plants and flowers are a definite must when creating a romantic garden. You can go for anything from fresh, invigorating citrus topiaries to sweet and floral jasmine and honeysuckle. Do your research and choose well and you can have your very own aromatherapy garden!

Don’t forget the fauna

What could be more romantic than coming home to a garden teeming with birds and butterflies? Plant well and it’s really not that difficult to attract winged friends. Monarch butterflies, for example, love swan plants and often choose to form their chrysalises on them. If you want to attract birds, you can take as simple or complex an approach as you like. Among the options are bird houses, bird feeders, bird baths, nest boxes and the delightfully simple tactic of filling a saucer with water and honey.

Nooks and crannies

Remember to consider how you can interact with your garden. You don’t want to be left standing on the lawn with nowhere to settle down with a book. Create special spaces using pathways, arches and outdoor furniture. Remember, it needn’t be too hard. Buy cheap gravel and sprinkle it on the lawn to create a pathway. Try edging the path with slightly larger pebbles. Climbers such as wisteria and bougainvillea make a beautiful canopy for an archway.

Water features

It will come as no surprise that having water present in your garden is hugely relaxing. You don’t have to go all out with babbling brooks and lily-covered ponds, most local garden centres will have a range of water features. Just choose which one you want, plug it in and you’re away.