My mini spring makeover

Well-chosen pots and some TLC brings new life to a dull courtyard

- with DIARMUID GAVIN

This week I've been busy getting my garden into shape.

There's a small courtyard patio in front of the kitchen that was in need of some attention.

It's a paved area with mainly evergreen planting such as bamboos, fatsia, ferns and euphorbia. Soon the forsythia will produce a dazzling display of gold-yellow flowers and in summer the Annabelle' hydrangea will come into flower. However, at this time of year, it was distinctly lacking in colour.

Central to the courtyard, an old Lutyens bench was looking the worse for wear - the blue paint was wearing off and there was even some moss growing on it that had settled in over winter.

It was calling out for some attention so it was time to give it a new lease of life.

I also had two topiary bay trees that needed a home so my plan was to plant these, refurbish the bench and add some vibrant spring colour by planting up a selection of terracotta pots with flowering bulbs.