From the curiosity shop

Whether you’re designing a new garden or want to revamp an old one, gardening projects require a lot of planning.

If you want your garden to be a horticultural haven, use calm and subtle colors in all aspects of your garden. Pastel shades work best, particularly when planted in ‘drifts’ of colour.

Don’t be afraid to have a go at making your own garden ornaments. Something as simple as a sundial or a birdbath can add the personal touch to your garden. Try your local salvage yard for interesting materials.

If you need inspiration for garden designs; have a look at these designs. The right landscaping ideas and container gardening combinations can make your backyard an inviting retreat.

Urban Basement Garden

Sogo Garden

(Designer: Lizzie Taylor & Dawn Issac)

Float Garden

(Designer: by Jack Merlo)

Cocoon Garden

(Designer: by Jack Merlo)

Moss Garden

(Designer: by Jack Merlo)

Roof Garden

Design From Auckland Botanical Gardens

Blue Stick Garden

Mediterranean-style courtyard

Garden Designs From Chelsea Flower Shows

(Designer: Andy Sturgeon)

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Zarcero, Costa Rica

Zarcero’s fresh, spring-like air and high-altitude temperatures are a wonderful respite from the tropical Costa Rican heat.

Located along the northern edge of the Central Valley, the small town is known for its crisp climate and dramatic mountain landscapes. Culinary connoisseurs will love the area’s local produce, much of which is organically farmed. Vine-ripened tomatoes, fresh basil, and savory cheese (locally known as queso palmito) are some of the district’s distinct delicacies. Fresh sour cream, sweet buns, and a sugary treat of crystallized grapefruits filled with a creamy condensed milk round out the town’s notable gastronomic delights.

Without a doubt, Zarcero’s most popular attraction is its surreal topiary gardens. Wavy arches carved from conifer cypress invite visitors to explore artist-landscaper Evangelisto Blanco’s latest inventions. Here, spectators are given a rare opportunity to step through the looking glass. Shrubs and trees manifest as dancing animals, stylized creatures and other unique abstractions.