Instant Gardening - the new trend

From contemporary manicured spaces to organic wild gardens, landscaping trends are ever-changing. However, one trend that seems to stay is 'the instant garden”.

In this guide, we take a look at what instant gardening actually is and how it works. We also provide a simple step-by-step guide to help you create your own instant garden, and look at some of the best features - from small rockeries to largescale boulder features and slate monoliths - that instant gardens make great use of.

What is instant gardening?

Instant gardening is all about creating a garden that looks established and visually striking from day one. Rather than waiting years for plants to mature, the goal is to use a combination of mature plants, hardscaping features like decorative stones or boulders, and quick-growing ground cover to transform an outdoor space almost immediately.

This can be achieved in a number of ways. For example, by using a mature tree or shrub in isolation, or through installing a hard landscaping element and creating a feature from the abundance of natural stone and gravel products available. A stunning slate monolith, for instance, or the natural beauty of a quartz granite boulder used in conjunction with a contrasting bed of gravel or aggregate, certainly makes an eye-catching, low maintenance "instant" design feature in any garden setting.

Similarly, using rockery stone to create raised beds or visual interest to a garden and a specific area for planting is also a popular choice. With this in mind, our graphite grey slate rockery certainly lends itself well to any rockery design as the dark colouring which becomes more dramatic in wet conditions provides a perfect foil when placed amongst plants or other rock features.

The instant garden approach is ideal for people who want to enjoy their outdoor space immediately. Those wanting to quickly enhance a home’s kerb appeal, create a peaceful outdoor retreat or prepare a garden for sale find instant gardening to be the perfect solution.

How to create an instant garden

Transforming any outdoor space into an instant garden is easier than you might think. Follow these simple steps for quick and impactful results:

Step 1: Plan your layout

Start by sketching out a layout that incorporates focal points, pathways, and plant beds in the space you have available. Look for areas that could benefit from decorative aggregates or larger stone features to create depth and texture. You can also use aggregates to form borders around planting beds or to create contrast in areas like patios and pathways.

Step 2: Choose your focal points

Once you have a basic layout, it’s time to choose your garden’s new focal points. This could be a large tree, a mature shrub, or even a slate monolith or rockery stone feature. Check out the Decorative Aggregates inspiration blog for ideas if you are struggling with creativity.

Step 3: Add decorative aggregates

Decorative aggregates and gravels are a fast, inexpensive, and effective way to improve your garden design. Use pebbles, gravel, or slate chippings to add colour and texture to the ground or to create natural, yet bold-looking, borders and pathways. These materials are also ideal for areas where you want to suppress weeds, improve drainage, or simply add a low-maintenance surface that boosts the attractiveness of your garden instantly.

Step 4: Integrate planting with instant impact

While hardscaping plays a significant role in instant gardening, plants are still important. With this in mind, choose mature plants or fast-growing species that will fill out the space quickly and complement your new focal points. You can also mix and match different decorative stones around your plants to create contrasting textures and colours.

What features can make a garden?

An instant garden doesn’t have to be complicated - on the contrary, it should be simple. By focusing on a few key features, you can create an outdoor space that feels stylish and welcoming from the start.

Let’s take a look at some of the most effective features you can think about including in an instant garden:

• Decorative aggregates
  Gravel, slate chippings, and pebbles are all quick fixes for sprucing up paths, driveways, or flower beds. These materials are versatile and available in a range of colours and textures, allowing you to create anything from a rustic to a modern look.
  
  
• Boulders and monoliths
  Large stone features like boulders or monoliths create focal points that draw the eye. These can be used as standalone features or combined with plants for a more integrated design.
  
  
• Water Features
  Adding a small fountain or pond can quickly transform your garden into a serene retreat, with the soothing sound of water enhancing the atmosphere. The use of a statement stone like a Slate Hollolith can really add to the look of a water feature, creating a real focal point to any outdoor space.

Whether you're covering a large area with slate chippings or creating a new focal point with boulders, here at Decorative Aggregates, we can help you create a new instant garden design you love in no time. Browse our full range today to find the perfect materials for your instant garden project and feel free to get in touch if you have any questions!