Beautiful gardens with sweeping lawns and exquisite herbaceous borders don’t come easy. However, creating the perfect ‘room outside’ isn’t all about wheelbarrows and weeding, according to the experts.

“Most of us don’t have endless hours to spend tending a garden but it’s still possible to have a stunning outdoor space, regardless of its size or shape,” says Dublin-based landscaper Robert Stronge of SDL Gardens. “Design, planting, ground cover and outdoor furniture are the main elements of any garden, and certain products have been designed for the low-maintenance garden.”

According to John Brookes, author of Small Garden: Brilliant ideas for small spaces, there are many clever ways to transform your ‘outside room’ into an impressive space. “Sun alone does not make for a comfortable outside space. There are many ways it can be made inviting. Wind and draught can be minimised, ugly views concealed, privacy created and colour used to make it tempting even when the sun is not shining,” he says.

The look
Stronge says it’s always best to settle on a look you like, be it Mediterranean courtyard, cosy cottage, urban chic or even tropical paradise. The overall style you choose will influence your choice of containers, ground cover and furnishing.

“Decide on the style you like and then check out what kind of plants and materials you need to achieve it,” he advises.

Planting
Forget high-maintenance trees and plants; replace them with evergreens such as bamboo, yucca, cordylines and phormiums, which look great and are all perfect for containers. Grasses are also suitable for the easy-to-care-for garden.

Be creative
Decking and paving are good options for low maintenance but can look a bit dull. To liven up these areas in a stylish way, cut out areas within the decking and paving, and plant up.

“Opt for low-maintenance ground cover like granite stone, which doesn’t require any sealing and won’t turn green with age, and choose a composite decking wood which doesn’t need to be oiled regularly,” adds Stronge.

Add texture
Mulch is perfect for adding texture to a low-maintenance garden and comes in a wide variety of types and colours. Apart from being attractive looking, mulch reduces weed growth and protects plants by keeping the soil warm during the wet and cold months.

A rocky patch
Rock gardens are impressive looking, drought-resistant and can also be used to create different levels within the garden.

Contain yourself
Containers come in all shapes and sizes and include everything from hanging baskets to planted-up bathtubs and feeding troughs. Everything from herbs and veg to trees can be grown in containers and can be moved around the garden to re-arrange the layout.

Don’t fence me in
Woven panels, bamboo or trellising not only create privacy and boundaries but can be great for screening off bins, oil-tanks and ugly walls, or simply function as a feature.