By August, your garden should be earning its keep.
This is the month for long lunches outside, friends dropping in, evenings on the terrace and weekends when the doors stay open and the garden becomes another room of the house.
For hotels and spas, outdoor spaces are just as important. A beautiful entrance, courtyard or terrace becomes part of the experience your guests remember.
And you do not need acres of space to make an impression.
At Orchard Nurseries, we see everything from substantial country gardens and sweeping driveways to compact courtyards and terraces. What makes the best ones stand out is rarely their size.
It is what has been chosen to go in them.
Statement Garden Plants That Earn Their Place
A statement plant should do exactly that. Make a statement.
It might be the beautiful shape of a mature Olive Tree, the sculptural layers of a Bonsai Cloud Tree or the symmetry created by a pair of evergreen standards.
The best statement garden plants bring height, structure and personality to a space without needing lots of other planting around them.
This becomes particularly valuable in summer when the garden is being used more often.
You want plants that look impressive when people arrive but that also work as part of the garden every day.
Small Garden, Big Impact
One of our favourite things about courtyards and smaller gardens is that you cannot hide anything.
Every choice matters.
That might sound limiting but it can actually make designing the space much simpler.
Instead of filling a courtyard with lots of small plants, choose one exceptional specimen and give it room to be seen.
A Bonsai Cloud Tree in a substantial pot can completely change a courtyard. Two matching pots can turn an ordinary doorway into an entrance. A beautifully shaped Olive Tree can bring height and character to a terrace without taking over the entire space.
Less can genuinely be more when what you choose has enough presence.
Large Garden Pots Are Part of the Look
A beautiful plant deserves the right pot.
The pot should not be an afterthought. Its size, shape, finish and proportion all contribute to how the finished combination looks.
A large pot can anchor a tree and give it much more presence, particularly beside an entrance, around a seating area or in a courtyard.
Our handcrafted pot collections include different shapes, textures and finishes that work beautifully with many of the specimen plants we stock.
Think about the combination rather than either piece in isolation.
A striking plant in the right pot becomes a feature in its own right.
Create an Entrance People Remember
The front of a property is often one of the easiest places to make a significant difference.
It is also one of the most visible.
For a private home, the entrance creates that first impression as guests arrive. For a hotel, spa or commercial property, it immediately starts communicating the standard people can expect inside.
Symmetry works particularly well here.
A pair of topiary specimens, large pots or statement trees can frame a doorway without making the space feel overdone.
For larger driveways, a single sculptural tree can provide a focal point and break up an otherwise open area.
The important thing is getting the scale right.
Make Outdoor Furniture Part of the Garden
August is when outdoor furniture really comes into its own.
A bench beneath a favourite tree. A seating area surrounded by pots. Somewhere to sit with a coffee in the morning or a glass of something cold at the end of the day.
Our solid teak garden furniture is designed to sit naturally within outdoor spaces and develop character as it ages.
Rather than treating furniture as something separate, use planting around it to help the seating area feel connected to the garden.
This works equally well on a large terrace, in a hotel courtyard or tucked into a smaller garden.
Your Garden Is There to Be Enjoyed
A beautiful outdoor space does not need to be complicated.
Often it is about making fewer, better choices.
Choose plants with presence. Give them room. Get the scale of the pots right. Add furniture that belongs in the space and create somewhere you actually want to spend time.
August is the height of summer.
Show your garden off.
If you are looking for something special, give James a call. Not everything we source makes it onto the website and there are often individual specimen plants and one-off pieces available at the nursery.
You can also arrange an appointment to visit Orchard Nurseries and see what catches your eye.
📞 01757 642033
💻 orchardnurseriesuk.co.uk
FAQs
What are the best statement garden plants in the UK?
Bonsai Cloud Trees, mature Olive Trees and architectural evergreen topiary are excellent choices when you want a strong focal point. The right choice depends on the size, position and style of your outdoor space.
How can I make a small courtyard look more impressive?
Avoid filling every available space. One strong specimen plant in a well-proportioned pot can create much more impact than lots of smaller plants. Leaving space around key pieces helps them stand out.
Do large garden pots work in small spaces?
Yes. Large pots can actually make a small garden or courtyard feel more confident and less cluttered. Choose the scale carefully and allow enough room around the pot for it to become part of the design.
What plants work well around an entrance?
Evergreen standards, topiary, Olive Trees and Bonsai Cloud Trees can all create strong entrances. Pairs create symmetry while a single specimen can provide a striking focal point.
Is teak furniture suitable for UK gardens?
Quality teak is particularly well suited to outdoor furniture because it is naturally durable. Over time it can develop a distinctive silver-grey patina that works beautifully in established gardens.
Can I visit Orchard Nurseries to choose plants and pots?
Yes. Orchard Nurseries is open by appointment so you can take your time looking through the nursery and discussing what might work for your space with James. Call 01757 642033 to arrange your visit.
