Usually the most suitable area to develop into an outdoor space for passive recreation such as reading a book or enjoying a cup of coffee, is behind the house, away from the roadside. If, however, you have a reasonably private front yard, then you may be able to create a patio from which you can enjoy this part of your garden. As long as the circulation route to the front door can be kept separate from the patio, the latter will be sufficiently static in character to feel comfortable to sit and relax in.

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Creating excitement in the garden involves choosing the right balance between stars and their supporting cast. With too many dramatic plants, the story gets lost, and, with too much subtlety, the story sends us to sleep. This holds for a garden as a whole, but also within a single planting.

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