RANGE REVIEW: OUTDOOR LIVING
DESIGN IDEAS FOR NATURE-INSPIRED GARDENS
Naturalistic gardens are an evergreen trend, reflecting the growing desire for authenticity, sustainability, and a harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature. Glorious blooms, natural materials and rustic features such as wooden crates and milk churns, beehives, baskets and bug hotels can help you create serene private retreats whilst also providing valuable habitats for insects, birds and small mammals.
G
eraniums are the ideal flowering plant for these types of romantic, cottagecore garden. Low-maintenance,
drought tolerant with prolific blooms and a wide choice of varieties, they can withstand intense heat and dry spells, bringing vibrant colour from spring until well into autumn. They also work beautifully in combination with bee-friendly plants such as yellow sage (Lantana camara), bacopa (Sutera diffusus) and anise-scented sage (Salvia guaranitica), and can be incorporated into simple but eye-catching craft projects. Dr Susanne Lux, horticultural expert at Pelargonium for Europe UK (PfE) shares her inspirational ideas for nature-inspired gardens with beautiful plant combinations.
Reliable summer blooms As lovers of warm sun, geraniums are amongst the most reliable of summer-blooming plants, earning their reputation for hardiness and low levels of maintenance by flowering profusely and continuously from May until the first frost. They look sensational in baskets, containers or boxes,
as garden speedwell (Veronica longifolia), garden scabious (Scabiosa caucasica), bacopa (Sutera cordata) and horned pansy (Viola cornuta), which together form vibrant displays that will delight humans and wildlife alike. Old wooden boxes and a traditional straw beehive complement this natural garden perfectly.
meaning those whose outside space is limited to small gardens or balconies can also enjoy them. The beauty of geraniums is emphasised when combined with sun-loving herbs or pollinator- friendly summer flowers. In the arrangement shown above, different geraniums are potted alongside Balkan clary (Salvia nemorosa), cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus), savory (Satureja montana) and fern-leaved beggar’s ticks (Bidens ferulifolia). This combination is not just visually appealing; it also promotes biodiversity in the garden. Natural materials such as wood, terracotta, stone and antique or upcycled pots bring out the garden’s naturalistic feel. You can also give your outdoor space a personal touch with hand-crafted accent pieces which help you put together unique design features that are as practical and beneficial to nature as they are beautiful. For insect-friendly container
gardening (top image) you can combine your easy-care geraniums with bee-friendly plants such
16 DIY WEEK MAY 2026
For a Mediterranean vibe which celebrates the hot, sunny weather, vivid geraniums in bright colours can be blended with aromatic rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) and fiery chillies (Capsicum annuum) create a sunny, Mediterranean atmosphere, turning your balcony or terrace garden into a vibrant oasis of calm.
Project idea: Fruit crate mini raised bed Transform old into new: an old fruit crate can easily be converted into a pretty mini raised bed. Planted with lush flowering geraniums,
nasturtiums (Tropaeolum majus), borage (Borago officinalis), sage (Salvia officinalis) and cherry tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum), the result is an arrangement that beautifully combines ornamental and culinary plants and provides plenty of food for insects. You will need an old fruit crate,
roofing battens, waterproof paint, screws, hessian, strong plastic sheeting (e.g. pond liner), expanded clay for drainage, compost, a staple gun and staples, a drill, a saw and sandpaper, flowering geraniums, nasturtiums, borage, sage (Salvia officinalis) and cherry tomatoes. Here’s how to do it, step by step:
• Cut the roofing battens to size: 4 x legs 80–85cm long, 2 x crossbars 10cm long. Mitre the ends, sand and paint them with waterproof paint and leave to dry. • Screw one pair of legs together with a crossbar in between to create a sturdy side panel. The mitre cuts should be flush with each other to ensure the legs are slanted and stable. Repeat with the other pair of legs. Screw the finished side panels to the fruit crate, making sure the upper crossbar is flush with the top edge. • Line the crate, first with the hessian, then with the plastic sheeting, and staple both to the top edge. To prevent waterlogging, add a drainage layer of expanded clay. • Fill the crate with compost and plant the geraniums, nasturtiums, borage, sage and cherry tomatoes. Make sure there is enough space between each plant (about 20cm). Thanks to their undemanding
nature, geraniums will thrive in this arrangement, turning the raised bed into a colourful focal point.
www.diyweek.net
Photograpy: Pelargonium for Europe UK
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40
