Combination paving

You don't have to stick with one type of paving for your patios and paths: in our garden centre we have lots of different types of material so you can mix and match.

Break up an expanse of sandstone by edging slabs with contrasting red brick, or put rows of sets between paving slabs to enjoy the natural, textured look of stone while keeping a smooth surface to walk on.

Cobbles or broken ceramic tiles are a great way of making your patio altogether more artistic by using mosaics and patterns. Draw your design out first and lay it 'dry' before putting down a mortar screed to do it for real. Double-check everything sits flush with the surrounding slabs so you don't get an awkward change in level.

You can also soften your patio paving with plants. Some low-growing herbs love to be walked on: look for creeping Thymus serpyllum, pennyroyal mint or the lawn chamomile 'Treneague' in our garden centre. Replace pointing mortar with compost and plant in ribbons between paving, or remove single slabs here and there for fragrant herbs at your feet.

Please ask the staff in our garden centre in Athlone for more information and advice about how to combine different paving textures in your garden.