4 steps to pergola perfection
1. Clean
A pressure washer removes years of dirt, grime and mould in an instant. Give the pavers under the pergola a blast, too.
2. Paint
Sand the existing paint to remove any stubborn dirt or mould, then repaint the timber with a bright white exterior paint.
3. Screen
4. Hang plants
Galvanised steel reinforcing mesh is the perfect addition from which to hang your potted plants. Screw it into the back panel of the pergola using pipe saddles. Sit the offcuts on top of the pergola for hose hanging.
Every garden features one of those spots that was once in favour but has since fallen on hard times. Give it a bit of love, though, and you can transform it back to a desirable garden hangout. Start with a quick clean-up, then decorate with a range of flowering colour. Finish off with a small seat that shows off even more plants!
A vertical garden lets plants grow down, up and out. Snapdragons team up with digiplexis – a cross between English and Canary Island foxgloves – in towers of flowers that lead all eyes up to the geraniums. PS, check out the hanging baskets at northcotepottery.com.
Pick plants that will bring lush flowers, lovely colours and sweet scents to your pergola.
To make your pots lighter to move, fill them to about 30cm from the top with polystyrene chips, cover with horticultural fleece, then add potting mix.
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