Adding seasonal splendour into your home

If you're using a variety of coloured annuals, it's a good idea to choose a uniform colour for the pots so they don't compete with the flowers.

If you're looking for inspiration to liven up your indoor and outdoor spaces this festive season, the answer may be as close as your own backyard.

As the weather warms up, the cobwebs are being dusted off barbecues the length and breadth of New Zealand. It seems only natural that many people are keen to freshen up their entertaining areas in anticipation of another great kiwi summer.

Most of us can't afford new outdoor furniture or a total garden makeover every year, but with a few clever tips from the experts and a visit to your local garden centre, you can add some low-cost designer touches to your indoor and outdoor entertaining areas.

It's as easy as grabbing some basic terracotta or plastic pots. These can be transformed into designer pots with a little paint. Tester pots are usually all you'll need.

Plant up your custom-coloured pots with the likes of geraniums or impatiens and you'll have a big impact for a small price.

If you're using a variety of coloured annuals, it's a good idea to choose a uniform colour for the pots so they don't compete with the flowers. If you're displaying them in rows, odd numbers look best.

With coloured annuals available at garden centres for as little as a few dollars, you can afford to buy twice as many and alternate your colour schemes regularly for an entirely different look.

If you prefer the permanence of perennials, try planting up red and white roses. These create a festive yet stylish look perfect for this time of year and will be handy for cut flowers as well if you choose a variety such as "Iceberg" (white) or the gorgeous "Ingrid Bergman" (red).

If you've planted them in pots, you can simply move them around next year or underplant them with contrasting coloured annuals such as petunias to change the look.

Plants are also a great way to refresh the look of indoor areas. Try introducing some potted indoor plants such as begonias and co-ordinating them with cushions and a contrasting table runner (which you can easily make yourself) and instantly your indoor space takes on a different look.

Refreshing your existing look is not just about tantalising the visual senses.

Scented candles have had a resurgence of late, but why go to that expense when Mother Nature has living scent on tap?

Try planting lavender or lemon verbena by entranceways - it's a lovely way to make your guests feel welcome before they've even stepped over the threshold.

This year, take the stress out of gift buying with Gardening NZ Gift Cards. They allow recipients to choose their own presents from an array of items on offer at garden centres nationwide - not just plants.

You can purchase Gardening NZ Gift Cards either online (www.gardengiftcards.co.nz), or from your local Gardening NZ retailer. These pocket-sized cards fit neatly into an envelope, allow you to nominate the value and are redeemable at Gardening NZ retailers nationwide.

Don't forget to ask at your garden centre for your free copy of Go Gardening Magazine. The summer edition is out now and is crammed full of useful gardening tips from the experts.