Spring into summer

Karen Neville

Take your garden from zero to hero this spring & then sit back and enjoy when the summer rolls in

How does your garden grow? I doubt there are many cockle shells or pretty bells but you can add all the bells and whistles and turn it into a showpiece worthy of being on display. 

In need of ideas? Fortunately there are several garden shows on the horizon which will help plant lots of seeds of inspiration. 

Head to BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair at Beaulieu in Hampshire, May 2nd-4th, for everything from stocking up on gardening kit and plants to exploring the beautiful gardens. A must see is the exciting collection of Showcase Gardens celebrating how imagination and creativity can transform your outdoor space – you’re sure to pick up ideas galore here. The Beautiful Borders are always awash with take-home ideas to help you squeeze the most into your garden.   

There are more amazing garden designs to explore, drool over and copy at Chelsea Flower Show, May 20th-24th. The show gardens here are some of the finest examples of garden design you’ll see with inspired plant combinations and cutting-edge landscaping. And if you only have a small space to work with discover what’s possible for balcony and container gardens. Top designers have conjured up clever ways to make the most of a small space, making them practical as well as inspirational. 

Discover your favourite plants, flowers and an array of gardening goodies from unique garden gazebos, greenhouses and arbours to beautiful flowers, gardening sundries and hundreds of other products at Blenheim Palace Flower Show, June 27th-29th. Tour the Grand Floral Pavilion and pick up expert tips and take a walk down Floral Street for creative decoration inspiration. Create your perfect garden sanctuary with outdoor buildings, top quality garden furniture and BBQs or perhaps treat yourself to a little outdoor luxury with garden huts and buildings on show. 

There’s more garden design inspiration than you could shake a spade at at RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival, July 1st-6th. This year’s festival theme is Wonder so expect to be greeted by gardens full of whimsy and delight. Show Gardens represent the best in horticultural excellence and Gardens of Curiosity put the spotlight on designers’ creativity with plenty of take-home ideas 
for you to recreate in your green space. 

Many of the gardens on show will encompass the idea of gardens for health and wellbeing. The National Garden Scheme champions this with its Gardens & Health Week, May 3rd-11th, the centrepiece of its programme which raises awareness of the physical and mental health benefits of gardening for everyone. Find out more about the impact on our health and wellbeing of gardening and pick up tips at https://ngs.org.uk/gardens-and-health-week/ 

With a shed load of ideas at your disposal it’s time to get to work and ‘pimp up’ your garden for the summer whether you decide to go full-on makeover or just make a few superficial changes. 

To enjoy a long, stretched-out summer this year, contact Ambassador Projects for details  of their high-quality outdoor garden buildings. They’re a helpful, progressive company, with great ideas for 2025, whose ranges including outdoor gyms, games, leisure, and music rooms, as well as custom-made leisure rooms for entertaining – or for just chilling out. So,  for something distinctive with panache, flair and individuality, give them a call on 0333 344 9577 and at ambassador-projects.com 

Do you need more space, are you thinking of a garden room for office, gym or leisure use? Modern garden rooms are super-well-insulated and are a great investment for all-year use. A quick build timescale, no planning permission and great functional design means you could be enjoying a comfortable new room in weeks. Contact Garden Rooms by Drumbeat now for a free survey and quote. Visit gardenroomsbydrumbeat.co.uk or call 01483 768273. 

Bourne Buildings is the UK’s largest garden building showsite with more than 200 buildings on display. With standard and bespoke designs of varying qualities and styles, fit for all budgets, there truly is something for everyone. Bourne Buildings also has more than 100 furniture sets and 5,000 stone ornaments on display to really enhance your garden. Find out more at bournebuildings.co.uk 

Well established, family run SBI Ltd have friendly and professional teams ready to supply & install made-to-measure awnings, Victorian & contemporary verandas, glass verandas, glass rooms & canopies, carports, vertical screens, manual, electric or solar-powered security shutters & roller garage doors, conservatory sail blinds, louvred roof pergolas, aluminium fencing and more. Their professional advisors and installers will be more than happy to help you create the perfect solution for your shade and shelter requirements. More at sbiproducts.co.uk 

Add the final touches to your interior look with good quality made to measure blinds from Blindscape. They specialise in designing and installing bespoke and made-to-measure blinds, curtains and shutters and awnings in homes of all styles and periods. From sleek modern vertical blinds to solid or plantation shutters, they’ll have a solution for you. Whether it’s for aesthetics or shading, enjoy the best of both worlds with attractive and functional home blinds and window coverings. Find out more at blindscape.co.uk 

Passionate about outdoor cooking? Visit the Black Box BBQ Shop near Liss, for top-quality Charcoal, Gas and Pellet grills, all the accessories, fuel and expert advice. Exciting news – The Artisans Kitchen & Cookery School is launching soon, offering hands-on classes to master fire cooking and more! Whether you’re a BBQ pro or a beginner, there’s something for you. Visit them in-store or online at blackboxbbq.co.uk Black Box BBQ – The Flavour Makers. Let’s fire things up!  

New Dawn Design, landscape and maintain gardens with every effort to understand the garden their customers are looking for and come up with ideas to achieve this. They can provide a rough sketch or a full colour scaled drawing to help you visualise the end result.Whatever sort of garden you want – low maintenance, child safe, bright summer colour, bee friendly – they can help. Get in touch via bark.com/en/gb/b/new-dawn-garden-life-ltd/dRJgK/ 

Laurel Hill Gardens is an award-winning garden design studio based in the Surrey Hills. They offer consultation, design services, and advice on all styles of gardens. The gardens they create range from smaller family gardens to larger traditional and contemporary spaces. Find out what they can do for you at laurelhillgardens.co.uk 

Everyone deserves an outdoor space they love. Whatever your budget or vision, Kebur Garden Materials will help transform your garden with quality landscaping supplies. The one-stop shop stocks over 2,500 products, from paving and decking to fencing and aggregates, all with free local delivery. No matter the size of your project, the friendly team will guide you from product selection to delivery and aftercare. They also offer an award-winning installation service. Visit the displays or call six days a week – they’re there to help! More at kebur.co.uk 

When your patio, pathway, drive or terrace was first laid, the stone would have looked beautiful. Overtime microscopic lichen spores carried by the wind and the rain from surrounding trees, land on the stone. If left untreated the entire surface gets covered in what is known as ‘black spots’ which no amount of pressure washing will fully remove. Patio Black Spot Remover removes lichen, algae and instantly restores the natural colour to patios, paths and garden stonework just as they were when new at a fraction of the original cost to lay. Find out more at patioblackspotremoval.com