Planting Around a Patio in the Pacific Northwest

11.03.2024 - 14:13 / finegardening.com

February in our region was a month of waiting for the weather to get better. Warm winds and longer days have finally arrived, and most of us are desperate to get outside and do something. What better place to start than with a patio garden. A simple patio garden doesn’t take much planning, and the plants you want are in the nursery right now.

Maybe there is no “patio” within your property yet, but there is a “space” that could be well-suited for one. This can be a tiny section, with just enough room for a chair and a table. Or it can be larger, with the square-footage needed to hold a firepit, a table, and many chairs. Whatever your limitations, this is a place to sit and feel the sun on your face and, if you’re lucky, enjoy some shade from a nearby leafy tree in the summer.

The surface can also be simple. Pea gravel or tiny ¼-inch minus gravel provides a stable and functional surface. The lovely sound of gravel crunching underfoot is very soothing. Gravel patios also tend to drain extremely well, so no rain puddles will ruin the patio party. Of course, you can also use pavers and flagstone to build your entertaining space if the budget allows and skilled labor is available.

Plants are more important around a patio seating area than in many other areas of your garden because you are so close to them. Fragrance, screening (for privacy), color, and structure are all matters to be considered. Starting from near the patio and working your way outward is the best way to plant. The following are three key categories of plants that I think are essential in every patio garden. They will add all of the attributes mentioned above and ensure you’ll have something interesting to look at year-round.

Small bulbs are good for bringing