How to Transform Your Garden into an Exotic Escape
Who doesn’t like spending time in their garden? Greenery and flowers, as well as the chipper of birds allow us to relax and forget about all the stress that surrounds us at work or in school. Still, it can happen that even the most interesting gardens become boring to us, especially if we spend a lot of time outside. We know every plant and every corner, and we simply feel like we could use a change. Luckily, there are easy ways to completely transform your garden and get an exotic oasis in your yard.
Exotic plants
People hesitate to plant tropical plants out of fear that they won’t be able to grow outside hot and humid rainforests. Luckily, that isn’t the case, and you will be able to grow your own exotic jungle with just a bit of effort. Palms, ferns, and bamboo grow incredibly well, as well as rhododendrons and begonias. If you’re feeling brave and have a green thumb, you can also try growing colourful, exotic orchids or a plant called ‘the bird of paradise’.
Water is the key
You would be surprised to discover just how much a simple water feature can do for a garden! It immediately transforms it into a peaceful retreat, and that trickling sound is magical and soothing. Sometimes you only need a small fountain, or if you want, you can install a fishpond and add colourful koi fish as well. Small ponds are great because they quickly become a habitat for wild animals and aquatic plants, and you will enjoy looking at them after a long and stressful day in the office.
Get a chill out spot
What is an ‘exotic zone’ without a nice chill out spot? Old, stained patio furniture is not helping with the atmosphere, and if you’re hoping to get the real tropical atmosphere, replace your battered resin patio furniture with something that more modern and appealing. Get a nice ottoman with matching chairs instead of your sagging canvas lawn chair, and place it around a portable fire pit set. This will make lovely evenings more romantic, especially if you make your own retractable canopy which will make your chill out spot look more elegant and inviting.
Draw more birds
While it might not be possible to get actual flamingos or seagulls, you can draw more local birds to your garden and enjoy their chirping. Simply place a nice bird feeder among your flower beds, or hang it onto a tree branch. You can use old teacups to make adorable feeders, or you can go a step further and create a bird feeder out of an old chandelier. Birds will always be nearby, which also means that you will have fewer nasty mosquitoes and flies around too. If you really miss having exotic birds around, adorable plastic flamingos will do the trick.
Light it up
Backyard lighting is handy, inexpensive, and can do a lot to accentuate the curves of your garden. It’s romantic at night and dusk, and really convenient when you have to go to the shed to leave something and don’t want to trip. Solar-powered lights are very popular because they are so easy to install and you don’t have to worry about your electricity bill with them. What is more, if you use them to light up a path or a tree, you will feel like you’re in a resort. For those who would like to save time on turning the switches on and off, you can always consider motion-activated spotlights.
Get inspired
You can find inspiration all around you, even in the most unlikely places. Of course, the internet is filled with amazing ideas, you only need to know where to look:
- Kieferlandscaping has great photos you can use to find inspiration;
- Greentreela work with both landscape design and installation services;
- Musalandscapearchitecture is a website where you can talk to a professional and even book a design consultation;
It doesn’t matter which season it is, if you take time and effort to transform your ordinary garden into an exotic escape, you will end up with a peaceful oasis on the other side of your front (or back) door. This way, you won’t have to long for exotic flowers and palm trees – you will find them in your own garden.
