Grow your own technicolour patio

Gardening, unlike a lot of other hobbies, is always months ahead of its time. Sure, the foliage on trees may be red, orange and yellow now, but while everyone is mourning the last fiery hues of autumn, the green-thumbed have already planned for their spring gardens. 

However, if that doesn’t sound like you, don’t feel left out. While it might be too late to take part in bulb planting season, there are still lots of options available to you. One idea in particular has caught my attention lately – the ‘technicolour patio’.

What is a technicolour patio?

The term ‘Technicolor’ refers to a series of colour motion picture processes, which produced highly saturated colour that you’ll recognise from films like The Wizard of Oz, Gone with the Wind and Fantasia. It almost defined the Golden Age of Hollywood era, which makes the term so iconic.

However, you don’t have to be a movie director to introduce technicolour into your life. You can take inspiration from this classical era of film and splash it all over your patio!

The rule is that you should use as much colour as possible, and use it as boldly as possible – but where to start?

There are so many colourful spring plants that fit the bill, but none so bold as the rhododendron. And here’s a variety that’s perfect for any patio…

Rhododendron Graziella: The technicolour patio plant

 

You probably know the rhododendron for its giganting blooms, flowering from late spring through  summer and bringing lots of life to borders and landscaping displays. But did you know that this variety of rhododendron is well suited to a pot?

Rhododendron Graziella grows to a mature height of 120cm, so it’s naturally shorter than other varieties. This means it’s perfect for planting in a large container, starting off your technicolour patio arrangement!

Along with its large, sugar-pink blooms, it also features lustrous, dark green (sometimes with a flush of burgundy) foliage that will add volume to your patio before, during and after flowering time. 

It’s easy to maintain, with its main requirements being:

• Ericaceous compost
• A pot with drainage holes, or well-drained soil in planted in a border
• A position in full sun or part shade
• Good watering during the establishment period with rainwater
• Slow-release fertiliser twice per year (if you can, add sulphur soil to compost/soil at the same time!)

This hardy perennial attracts bees and butterflies, making your patio area sing with life during late spring and summer. So it’s not just a treat for the eyes, but also for the wildlife!

The rhododendron Graziella is available soon at QVC. Don’t miss out on making this a key plant in your technicolour patio display!

Technicolour patio inspiration

Wondering what else to feature on your patio that will complement your gorgeous rhododendron? Try colourful pots, furniture and, of course, other plants!

You could even go as far as painting your fence and/or decking in bold shades – and while you’re at it, don’t forget to add garden ornaments to fit your highly saturated colour scheme.

To help you get some insight into how your technicolour patio could look, I’ve put together some inspiration below: