New research reveals that the summer of 2012 is a bumper year for the Great British garden, with 77 per cent of Brits set to spend time in their garden for a summer of celebration and 37 per cent going garden mad by spending more money on their outdoor space than ever before. Further findings reveal figures around outdoorsy young Brits, true sheddies and men showing their ‘masculine’ side in the garden.
The study by garden woodcare brand Cuprinol, found that as a result of this summer’s national events, green fingered Brits across the UK are splashing out on lavishing their outdoor oasis. From planting budding bulbs and adding fresh licks of paint to garden furniture, the nation is set to ensure it’s in tip top shape for this summer’s garden parties.
With this exciting time for the Great British garden, more than a quarter of Brits (26 per cent) are organising more patriotic parties in their garden space, compared to previous years. As friends and family kick-start celebrations, men are getting ready to show-off their ‘masculine side’ with 83 per cent of those polled planning to roll up their sleeves and take charge of the BBQ this summer, compared to past years.
There has even been a significant rise in the number of sheds we own with 22 per cent more being bought now than 10 years ago, revealing we are truly becoming a country of sheddies and spending more time than ever before in our outdoor havens.
The research reveals that it’s not just the older generation who will be making use of their outside space, with an impressive number of patriotic youngsters under the age of 25 (44 per cent), planning to celebrate in their garden due to this summers nationalistic events.
Garden crazed Brits have been thinking ahead in preparation for this year’s celebrations, with over half of the nation (52 per cent) beginning to spruce up their outdoors over the spring months.
As many as a quarter of Londoners plan to show their nationalistic side this June and celebrate the Jubilee in their garden, followed by those in the East Midlands (22 per cent). Bank holidays (in particular the Jubilee) will be the biggest events of the year with over half of Brits (61 per cent) using the long weekends to enjoy their outdoor retreats.
Kathryn Ledson, Cuprinol Marketing Manager, Comments:
“As the country get’s into the swing of this year’s exciting events and the Union Jack begins to line our streets, now is the perfect time to give your garden a patriotic sprucing-up in true British style. Why not add a lick of paint to brighten-up tired looking garden furniture or fix-up those fences to create a tip-top garden in-time for all that alfresco entertaining this summer.”
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Londoners are the most likely to celebrate the games in their garden (17 per cent), while those in the North East are least likely to venture outside to celebrate the sporting event (8 per cent).
When it comes to the Euros, those in Yorkshire are most likely to hold a garden party (17 per cent), while those in Scotland and the North East are least likely to (8 per cent and 6 per cent respectively).
Further results show that Northern Ireland will spend the most time on their garden this year (50 per cent) but it is those garden enthusiasts in the East Midlands (36 per cent) who will be holding more garden parties (36 per cent) this year, compared to the rest of the UK.
Cuprinol’s top tips to spruce your garden up while the sun is still shining:
1. Create an on-trend look for this summer of celebration by painting your garden furniture in the right colour to complement your favourite plants
2. Use subtle hues and pastel shades introduced through soft colour planting to achieve this season’s ‘country garden’ look
3. Curpinol Garden Shades colours in Purple PansyT, Fresh RosemaryT and Forest MushroomT can be used to highlight picket fences, gates and seating in these soft colour palettes
4. The use of strong fiery oranges, pinks and yellows in planting are key in creating the big, ‘bold and bright’ look, also a popular look for this summer
5. Dahlias and Chrysanthemums will provide structure and give the look of a jewelled garden alongside the use of Cuprinol Garden Shades Sunny LimeT, Beach BlueT, and Hammerite YellowT on seating and planters
6. In an urban or contemporary garden take inspiration from the ‘monochrome’ trend, use neutral colours such as Cuprinol Garden Shades Jasmine White TM and Silver Birch TM against dark backdrops such as Cuprinol Garden Shades Black AshT to give your garden a chic makeover