Patio Landscaping

Turn your patio into an outdoor hideaway with easy landscaping ideas and plans.
The Patio as Your Centerpiece

The Patio as Your Centerpiece

This renovated main entrance was terraced with a brick wall and given a flagstone patio hedged with boxwoods. Informal plantings border the boxwoods and make this outdoor space an ideal space for entertaining and dining in pleasant weather. http://www.fernhilllandscapes.com

Photo by: Image courtesy of Doug Myers, Fernhill Landscapes

Image courtesy of Doug Myers, Fernhill Landscapes

This renovated main entrance was terraced with a brick wall and given a flagstone patio hedged with boxwoods. Informal plantings border the boxwoods and make this outdoor space an ideal space for entertaining and dining in pleasant weather. http://www.fernhilllandscapes.com

Whether you’re upgrading your current patio or designing a new one, don’t forget to include landscaping as part of your outdoor design plans. Landscaping a patio can be as simple or as complex as you desire. Here are a few ideas to get you started with your plans.

First things first: your patio is an outdoor room. It’s up to you to decide how to furnish it and dress it up. When drawing up a landscape plan for your patio, you should take a few things into consideration: how big is the space you’re landscaping? Is it a 10’ x 10’ square patio or one that borders the entire backside of your home? After determining the size, you can create a list of plants, furniture or hardscape items such as archways or pergolas that fit within your budget.

If your patio is concrete and your home is a traditional architectural style, you might think about softening the edges of patio with a row of small ornamental grasses or low flowers such as verbena or wax begonias. These types of plants provide a visual barrier – and you won’t trip over them when you step into the yard.

Designing a landscape plan for your patio gives you the chance to rethink typical potted plants. Round clay containers are fine for planting herbs and flowers on your patio, but don’t be afraid to investigate different shapes and sizes of planters. Long, rectangular window boxes can also be used on the ground. 100-gallon containers can hold giant succulents or fruit trees, which can add fragrance and a spot of shade to your patio area. Be mindful of how much privacy you desire from your patio. Do you want to wall it from the rest of your property or yard with tall shrubs or keep it open and inviting?

If your patio is made with brick pavers or stone embedded into soil, keep in mind that you have the ability to alter the design of the patio itself. Removing a few stones or bricks to make way for a knockout rose bush is a colorful and unexpected trick. Or perhaps you have room to plant a Japanese maple tree after removing several pavers. 

If you have an existing structure such as a screened porch, pergola or gazebo, hanging plants from the structure can come in handy. Instead of the containers that philodendrons or ferns are sold in – which can often be drab green plastic – get creative: paint the tubs to match the siding of your home or use a funky, colorful design for an eclectic look.

Whenever you think about your patio, think about your favorite thing to do in that space. Read? Eat? Nap on a hammock? How do you feel when you’re on the patio? Let that feeling be your landscaping guide.

Next Up

Simple Landscaping Ideas

Make simple adjustments to your landscaping for big results.

Drought Resistant Landscaping Ideas

Learn what to consider in designing and planting a water-wise garden that fits your yard's environment.

60 Best Patio Furniture Buys for Every Style and Budget

From Adirondack chairs to benches to gliders, refresh your space with our top picks for patio furniture seating so you can kick back with a cold drink and enjoy patio season in your outdoor oasis.

How to Clean Patios

Get tips for cleaning your patio made of concrete, natural stone or flagstone without a pressure washer, plus get tips on cleaning and maintaining patio furniture.

The Best Patio Chairs for Every Style and Budget

These weather-resistant chairs are just what you need to transform your outdoor space into a summer oasis.

The Proper Way to Water Your Garden

Keep your plants happy. Here are the top 10 do's and don’ts for watering plants efficiently.

Small Kitchen Decorating Ideas

Enhance your small kitchen with great decorating ideas. A little goes a long way in a small kitchen, so get inspired by pictures of inspirational rooms that deliver a balance of form and function.

Spruce Up Your Outdoor Space With These Best-Selling Patio Buys on Amazon

Discover which outdoor furniture sets, patio accessories and porch essentials Amazon customers are raving about this season.

45+ Stylish Outdoor Rugs on Sale Right Now

Put the finishing touches on your patio, just in time for summer, with an outdoor rug that's affordable and on-trend.

Patio Updates Under $200 That Only Look Expensive

These beautiful patio upgrades are an easy way to refresh your space. The best part? They're all under $200 and available at Walmart.

Go Shopping

Get product recommendations from HGTV editors, plus can’t-miss sales and deals.

On TV

Follow Us Everywhere

Join the party! Don't miss HGTV in your favorite social media feeds.