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Due to the often interfering intense colours of plastic and rubber, they have long been criticised and banished to utility areas in the garden. However, over the last few years these materials are being embraced by garden creators as they are undeniably lightweight, low maintenance and flexible materials.
They grant an exceptional substitute for dull tarmac or concrete, conventionally used for children's play areas and can be used to add a fun, fashionable edge to roof gardens and other contemporary spaces.
Most of these surfaces, such as wet pour granules (that are melted down and then applied), must only be installed by professionals because of the special character of their laying techniques. However, once down, they are simple to clean and highly durable.
Such surfaces are soft underfoot, brightly coloured and can be worked to accommodate the most intricate patterns. They can be laid over existing surfaces as well. The real problem with plastic or rubber is that they are tricky to blend with more natural materials, such as brick or wood.
The dilemma with plastic in the past has been that, when under bright light, they become dangerously brittle. But now, outdoor plastic materials generally include ultra-violet light inhibitors to overcome this problem. Most of the plastic will also lose a little colour under strong sunlight; just as your car does, plastic products will also fade slightly.
Perfect for children's playgrounds or indeed any space where the introduction of fun, brightness and humour is desired, there has been an influx of items made of plastic and rubber exclusively for this purpose.
Rubber matting - This type of surface is laid on site. It is cut to the required size and then stuck down to a level, solid surface. As rubber matting generally has a certain quality of 'give' to it, it's great to use where small children abound.
Wet pour rubber - This is an alternative to rubber matting and has equivalent properties. Liquid is dispensed onto a solid surface such as concrete.
Grass substitutes - Artificial grass, commonly recognised as Astroturf, is a grass substitute used for surfacing. It is eminently useful as a practical option to real grass. Available in a wide range of thicknesses and textures, grass substitutes are obtainable from specialist suppliers.
Furniture - Manufactured in moulds, about any shape imaginable can be created to offer easy to carry and handy to stack garden furniture. Plastic furniture is available in nearly any colour, is very lightweight and comparatively cheaper than wood. In fact, its major disadvantage is that it can tend to look cheap and could be difficult to incorporate into a traditional garden setting.
Structures - Plastic can be used to coat metals to provide brilliant, contemporary pergolas, arbors and furniture. Plastic, when carefully used, can enhance the style of the structure.
Containers - Plastic and rubber containers abound and brightly coloured pots provide a vibrant backdrop to planting.
Reclaimed plastic objects - Because plastic today is all around us, reclaimed or found plastic objects can be a good idea to be incorporated into your garden.
As a matter of personal choice, I prefer to use more natural materials in a garden, unless incorporating artificial material becomes a specific requirement.
