The right plants, greenery, and landscaping can instantly elevate your patio. But what if you are on a budget, have limited space, or don’t have a green thumb? We’ve got you covered with our list of 10 simple patio landscaping ideas.
From low-maintenance ideas to budget-friendly inspiration, these landscaping ideas will beautify your patio space with minimal effort.
1. Container Gardens
If your patio space is limited but you still want to add greenery and beauty, consider container gardens. These mini-gardens are more than just a functional addition, they also add striking beauty.
Since these mini-gardens are raised off the ground, they are easier to water and care for. Plant a variety of vegetables, herbs, and flowers to enjoy functional patio landscaping.
We love how container gardens can be shifted around to adapt to changing light conditions or to make more room if you are hosting a gathering.
One of our favourite parts of what we do is seeing how a client decorates their custom patio. We completed this custom poolside domed roof patio a decade ago and had the honour of the client contacting us to build another patio for their yard.
While there, we enjoyed seeing the container gardens and potted plants the client added to create a lush, green oasis. The thoughtfully placed greenery softens the hardscape and adds a pop of colour while making smart use of the limited space.
With no dirt to plant shrubs or flowers in, we enjoyed seeing how this client still managed to incorporate plants and greenery.
View this post on Instagram
2. Fragrant Plants
Visual appeal is often the main focus of landscaping but don’t leave out your sense of smell. Adding fragrant plants around your patio can create a truly relaxing, inviting atmosphere that draws you outdoors.
Some excellent fragrant plants to add to your Perth patio landscaping include:
- Lavender
- Rosemary
- Jasmine
- Lemon myrtle
- Gardenia
- Roses
3. Vertical Gardens
Another option if your patio space is limited is a vertical garden. Add wall-mounted planters, hanging baskets, and trellises to save floor space while still adding lushness and greenery to your patio.
Along with the striking visual appeal of adding vertical elements, climbing plants and vines can also enhance privacy.
You May Also Like: 10 Tips for Decorating Your Patio
4. Native Plants
Surrounding your patio with native Australian plants adds beauty with less maintenance. Native plants are well-adapted to our local climate, requiring minimal water and maintenance once they are established.
Some of our favourite native plants to incorporate into patio landscaping include species such as:
- Grevillea
- Kangaroo Paw (Anigozanthos)
- Bottlebrush (Callistemon)
- Succulents
- Cacti
- Native ornamental grasses, such as Poa or Lomandra
- Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia)
- Frangipani
- Heliconia
5. Drought-Tolerant Shrubs
Drought-tolerant shrubs make a beautiful addition to patio landscaping. These low-maintenance shrubs add texture and visual appeal without all the work.
Choose a variety of heights and textures to add visual interest and structure to your landscaping. Some lovely, low-maintenance shrubs to consider include Kangaroo Vine, Dwarf Bottlebrush, and Westringia.
6. Herb Garden
Herbs are easy to grow and add function, beauty, and diversity to patio landscaping. Herbs are also versatile and easily incorporated into raised garden beds, container gardens, and landscaping.
If you’re interested in growing your own food but have limited space or experience, herbs are a great starting point! Herbs are easy to care for and fun to use.
Relax in the shade on a hot day and grab a sprig or two of mint to add to your ice water. Or, dice up some chives and add them to a store-bought dip to instantly elevate it.
Here are some of our favourite easy-to-grow herbs that also look beautiful for patio landscaping:
- Chives
- Rosemary
- Thyme
- Basil
- Parsley
- Mint
- Cilantro
7. Potted Plants
Not ready to commit to landscaping or unsure of what you want? Potted plants offer a way to easily landscape your patio with minimal planning or a small budget.
Potted plants are also ideal if you only have paved areas to work with or minimal space.
Opt for a variety of sizes and colours of pots and a variety of plants. As a bonus, the pots can be moved around to instantly change your patio’s overall style or appearance.
One of our favourite options for potted plants is citrus trees. They add height, fragrance, unique beauty, and maybe even a delicious snack in the future.
8. Vibrant Colours
Add a burst of colour and personality to your patio with vibrant blooms. We recommend a mix of perennials and annuals so you can enjoy all-season colour.
Some of our favourite colourful landscaping flowers include:
- Kangaroo Paw
- Jasmine
- Correa
- Hakea
- Everlasting daisies
- Flannel flower
- Bottlebrush
- Fairy fan flower
- Waratah
- Craspedia
- Banksia
9. Ferns
With their unique flair and simple maintenance, ferns are one our favourite additions to patio landscaping. If your patio landscaping is mostly shaded, ferns are an ideal way to add greenery and lushness. The Kangaroo Fern or Tree Fern are a couple of our favourite native options.
10. Rock Gardens
If low maintenance landscaping is your priority, we recommend a rock garden. Rock gardens are an effective way to add visual appeal and interest without adding another task to your to-do list.
Rock gardens are also an excellent option if your yard is especially hot and dry. Along with rocks, add in some drought-resistant plants, such as cacti or succulents for a stunning result.
Tips for Planning Patio Landscaping
When planning your patio, here are some quick questions to ask yourself to narrow down your options:
- How much shade does the area receive?
- How much natural sun hits the patio?
- How much wind exposure does the patio receive?
- How much rainfall does the area get?
- How much time do you have to commit to watering, weeding, trimming, and other maintenance tasks?
- What kind of aesthetic are you aiming for (i.e. modern, classic, minimalist, desert, tropical)?
- How much space do you have?
- What is your budget?
Create Your Custom Patio Oasis with Aussie Patio Designs
Dreaming of your own patio space to enjoy more time outside, despite the conditions? Our team at Aussie Patio Designs is ready to bring your vision to life.
Contact our team for a free onsite quote on a custom patio or browse our patio gallery for inspiration. With over 26 years of experience, our dedicated team has transformed hundreds of Perth backyards and we’d love to help you next!
We can custom design the right patio to fit your garden or outdoor space and help you turn your backyard into your favourite place to be.
