Summer is in full swing, and it’s the perfect time to let your outdoor space flourish! Patios and plants are the perfect pairing, coming together to create your very own home flower festival. This guide explores how to elevate your patio design by pairing popular paving options, such as Sandstone and Porcelain, with stunning seasonal flowers. 

Whether you’re designing a family-friendly garden or a stylish outdoor lounge, discover the best combinations for colour, texture, and long-term durability. Perhaps you are dreaming of a vibrant floral paradise or a serene, green nature retreat; incorporating plants into your patio design can transform your space and enhance its natural charm. Here are some of our top flower picks to help you create a beautiful, blooming outdoor oasis.

How Plants Complement a Patio:

Brighten Up Your Patio with Porcelain Paving

Flowers bring an instant burst of colour to any outdoor space, whether planted directly into the ground, arranged in decorative vases on your Garden Furniture. When combined with the sleek, modern look of Grey Porcelain Paving, the effect is truly stunning. This modern outdoor flooring is renowned for its low-maintenance surface, high durability, and weather resistance, making it an ideal choice for any patio design. Pair the smooth, contemporary finish with vibrant sunflowers or cheerful daffodils to create a beautiful contrast of colour and texture. With the right combination of porcelain paving and garden plants, you can transform any hardscape into an elegant, inviting outdoor living space that’s perfect for relaxing or entertaining year-round.

How can I soften the look of porcelain and sandstone paving with plants?

Both Porcelain and Sandstone are durable garden paving options that provide a strong foundation for any patio, path, or driveway. Plants introduce texture, colour, and movement, bringing the space to life. Choosing the right paving colour can set the perfect backdrop – whether you want to create a bold contrast or a warm, harmonious feel by matching tones. If you love a particular flower, you can easily find a paving style that complements it by ordering a FREE Sample.

Why Add Planting Borders?

Building borders helps frame your patio and define pathways, much like petals surrounding a flower. They not only add structure and beauty but also improve drainage, helping to prevent waterlogging and standing water. If your garden is prone to flooding, natural stone or slate paving is an ideal choice. Its porous surface allows water to drain naturally while adding a timeless look to your patio. As a weatherproof stone for gardens, natural stone remains durable and beautiful year-round, even in changing weather conditions. Line your borders with wildflowers, flowering shrubs, perennials, or fragrant herbs to create a patio that is visually stunning and rich with seasonal colour and fragrance.

Hanging Baskets & Plant Pots

Hanging baskets are perfect for showcasing trailing flowers, such as begonias, especially when paired with Sawn Mint Sandstone. This natural stone features a smooth, sawn and honed surface, with warm tones and a sleek, textured finish that enhances its natural beauty. Whether you choose real or artificial flowers, select versatile Planters that allow you to easily change your flower displays throughout the seasons. Select weather-resistant plant pots made from durable materials with good drainage, suitable for year-round outdoor use. Fibreglass planters are ideal for any low-maintenance garden enthusiast.

The Stars of the Show

Which paving pairs best with Wisteria?

Wisteria looks stunning when paired with Rippon Buff Indian Sandstone Paving. This natural stone features beautiful colour variations and intricate veining, formed naturally over thousands of years, creating an eye-catching finish for any garden or patio. Admired for its subtle blends of buff, beige, and pink tones, along with its naturally riven texture, Rippon Buff adds warmth and timeless charm to your outdoor space. Its natural colours look fantastic, both wet and dry, making it a perfect choice for UK gardens throughout the seasons.

Eucalyptus – The Subtle Showstopper

If you have flowers or foliage growing in your garden, why not create your table centrepiece using homegrown plants? Nothing beats freshly cut greenery from your garden. Eucalyptus is typically grown for its attractive foliage, with its small, subtle flowers adding delicate beauty that complements nearby plants and lawns. It pairs beautifully with Kandla Grey Outdoor Porcelain, known for its cool, contemporary tones. With a shock-resistant surface, Porcelain is perfect for outdoor entertaining, high-traffic patios, and commercial spaces, offering both style and durability.

Agapanthus – The Poolside Perfection

Agapanthus thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it an ideal choice in planters around the pool. Pair it with Silver Grey Outdoor Porcelain Paving, featuring a neutral finish with a lightly textured, non-slip surface that adds extra safety to any family-friendly outdoor space. The R11 non-slip rating ensures excellent grip even when wet, making these low-slip patio tiles ideal for swimming pools, hot tubs, patios, and water features. Thanks to their highly durable design, porcelain slabs offer long-lasting performance, along with the added peace of mind that comes with a 10-year warranty.

The Bold Border Beauties

Asiatic Lilies

Enhance your outdoor space by incorporating welcoming walkways alongside steps, gates, or pathways. Asiatic Lilies, known for their bold, vibrant blooms, pair beautifully with our Quartzite Outdoor Porcelain paving. Thanks to its stain-resistant surface, this porcelain paving stays pristine – even during pollen season – making it a perfect low-maintenance easy to clean solution for colourful garden borders.

Tulips – The Springtime Classic

Tulips are a springtime favourite, creating a stunning rainbow of colour when planted together in clusters. They pair beautifully with many other flowers but be mindful of planting space to avoid overcrowding, which can put stress on their roots. Granite Paving offers the perfect backdrop for tulips, providing a consistent, contemporary look that complements their vibrant blooms. Renowned for its exceptional strength, durability, and elegant appearance, making it an ideal choice for modern gardens that seamlessly blend beauty with practicality.

Hydrangeas – The Bold and Beautiful Bloomer

Keep the soil moist but well-drained, the soil pH can affect bloom colour. Pairs beautifully with light Fossil Mint Indian Sandstone Paving that features warm, creamy tones with occasional fossil-like markings for a naturally distinctive finish. This bold round flower complements paving with high and low contrast.

Geum – The Modern Border Spark

If you’re looking for a flower that pops against dark paving like Brazilian Black Slate, Geum is an excellent choice. This delicate flower looks striking when paired with high-contrast paving colours. This natural stone offers a rich, dark, luxurious finish with naturally split surfaces that create depth and drama in any garden design. Slate looks fantastic, both wet and dry, and as a completely natural product, it features unique variations in colour, tone, and pattern. These natural characteristics give each paving slab a distinctive appearance, and our product images provide a helpful overview of the beautiful variations and unique textures you can expect.

Iris – The Elegant Water Garden Accent

Invite beneficial insects into your garden and your water features. Adding a tranquil experience, Ivory Outdoor Porcelain Paving feature subtle, creamy tones with a clean, uniform finish that brightens any outdoor space. Imagine a garden that transports you to another place, looks stunning, and is environmentally friendly, creating the ultimate sensory experience!

Create your very own ‘Best in Show’ flower garden right at home, full of colour, charm, and inspiration! 

FAQs & Further Reading

If this guide has inspired you to learn more, here are some recommended topics to explore:

What is the purpose of patio edging?

Can you help me find a paving match for my favourite holiday destination?

How do I know Nustone is environmentally friendly?

Can I try before I buy?

Which flowers pair best with porcelain paving?

Can I use artificial plants in outdoor planters?

What is the best paving for poolside safety?

Quick Summary:

This guide covers low-maintenance options, planting strategies, and ideal combinations for patio design, drainage, and curb appeal. 

This guide explains how to pair popular UK paving stones with seasonal flowers for a low-maintenance, stylish patio.

Contact Us Today!

If you need more information, call us on 01206 700 599 or email us at [email protected]. 

If you have any additional questions, please don’t hesitate to Contact Us.

We’re here to help you get the most out of your Outdoor space!