A patio is very often the hub of activity around which the rest of the garden revolves. In some cases, such as a courtyard or tiny town garden, it can take up almost the entire area available, with planting softening the edges of the plot. In a larger composition it may share the space with sweeping lawns, borders, raised beds, vegetable plots and a range of other features.
As well as providing a site for sitting and dining, most patios have to cater for children’s play, household chores and the repair of anything from bikes to car engines. We have already seen that you need ample space and have looked at the wide range of materials available forconstruction. If in doubt, and you can afford it, always make the patio larger than you initially think; it will be well worth it later on.
Of course the area may not always be at ground level: roof gardens are immensely attractive, even though they do pose all kinds of problems in constructional and horticultural terms. It is exciting to create an outside room in this Mary Poppins world of wide skies and chimney pots, but always check that the roof is strong enough to take the additional weight required. If in doubt, call on the services of a qualified architect or surveyor. His or her fee will be more than worth it if you are then able to rest easy at night without the horrific prospect of a ton of soggy compost arriving unexpectedly on your bed! Other aspects of safety are also important: a pot knocked over at ground level is no problem, but the same container falling from a roof could be very dangerous indeed.
Because a patio is essentially a hard landscape feature it will benefit enormously from the provision of planting. As a general rule plants grow far better in the ground than in pots. So, although pots are invaluable for instant colour throughout the year, you should try to leave some areas in and around your patio open for plants. Raised beds are both practical and attractive options for the patio: you can vary the soil in them to suit a particular type of planting, you can use their sides as occasional seating, and if you wish to provide an area for children, you can convert them to sandpits or other play areas which can later revert to their original purpose.
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