There are some exciting ideas and trends for this summer and hottest of the hot is the Italianate theme. We love their food, we love their wine and now we love their gardens!

There is also the return of pleached and espailier trees where the branches are trained along timber frames. First popular in Elizabethan times to create shady walks to protect the fare English complexion, they are now used to give instant privacy and screening.

Topiary too has entered the charts when it comes to making instant impact and becoming a focal point for the garden. While the clipped box balls look great with the Italian garden, you could try something different with spirals, cones and double pom-poms.

Add Instant Impact
Add the Italian look instantly with the Italian Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens pyramidalis) or the Magnolia grandiflora. Both add height and structure to great effect.

Privacy & Screening
Pleached or espailier trees where the branches are trained over a timber frame add instant privacy and screening just where you want it. The Photinia Red Robin or Evergreen Oak (quercus ilex) are very popula.

Just Add Pots!
Every self- respecting Italian garden must have clipped box balls in terracotta pots! But why not make it more interesting focal point with spirals, cones and double pom-poms?

Talking Points
Just like the Italians, introduce a talking point to the garden. This might be a well-placed statute, or perhaps an unusual tree such as the giant umbrella privet or a hardy palm (trachycarpus fortunei).

Add an Arbour
To add those final touches create a shady arbour or gazebo. Stepping, pathways and water features are also distinctly Italianate - as is topiary.