A focal point in the garden is something many garden-lovers strive for. There are a couple of reasons for this – firstly, the focal point is usually visually stunning. Visitors will be drawn to the focal point before branching outwards where they can appreciate the finer details of your garden.
Focal points are also well regarded because they can provide an obvious area by which to sit and enjoy your garden. Whatever the size or style of your garden and whatever your budget, it’s easy to create a focal point to be proud of.
If you have a fairly small garden one of the best ways to create a focal point is with a burst of colour. While most of your garden will dominated by green, with only the occasional touch of a muted red or yellow, the focal point could be a dazzling display of deep, luscious oranges and purples.
Marigolds offer fantastically vibrant shades of yellow and orange at a low price while petunias and pansy plants are another great value option for an instant dose of diverse colours.
A water feature is another superb way of creating a focal point. If you have the budget and the space, you can create a stunning pond complete with waterfall, beautiful plants, and fancy fish. Make sure to plan your pond very carefully with the help of a professional – you don’t want to dig up part of your garden unless it’s going to be worth it.
Get it right, and the sound of trickling water and the sight of unusual plant species will have a truly bewitching effect that can transform the atmosphere of any garden. Even with a small space and budget you can still create a beautiful water feature that enhances your whole garden’s appeal.
If you enjoy bird watching a great way of creating a focal point is by encouraging birds to come into your garden. You can do this with a birdbath, bird boxes and bird feed. The great thing about this type of focal point is that it’s always changing – you never know what type of bird you’ll see if you’re lucky.
You can even get birdbaths that hang from trees if you’re after something that will set you garden apart from the rest. If you can manage to make this focal point viewable from indoors, then you’ll be in for a real treat.
If you prefer the company of humans to birds you’ll probably be more interested in garden furniture. If you want to make a communal area in your garden the focal point make sure you invest in decent furniture that is long-lasting as well as aesthetically pleasing. To make sure you have a space where people will want to spend time make it as comfortable as possible with cushions (store them away when they’re not being used) and a sun umbrella for those occasions where you’ll need the stage. Now all you need are a couple of refreshing drinks and you’ve got the perfect garden centrepiece!
Written by Sam Luther, an experienced blogger and passionate gardener