When it comes to spoiling yourself as a gardener, there are many items that would fill the heart with joy, a trailer load of weed free manure, an expensive large pot or a beautiful day bed to relax on and view the garden. However if you ask any passionate gardener they will tell you the two best luxury items on top of the list would be a mature tree and/or garden ornamentation. Hell, we are talking luxury here – go for both.

Buying a mature tree in 100-500L bag will set you back a few hundred dollars, but it gives you about 5-8 years of growth, as I get closer to nudging 60, I can tell you 8 years of plant growth is worthwhile. Some people worry abut the root system on large bag grown trees, but if they are purchased from reputable tree nurseries, trees are potted on at regular intervals and the root systems are checked every time they upgrade the size of the container.

The only un-luxurious aspect of purchasing a very large tree is the digging the hole. The hole will need to be well prepared with compost, manure and wetting agent. Measure the size of the bag and dig the hole at least twice the width and 30cm deeper than the height of the bag. Remember this is a long-term investment – this tree will hopefully provide a home to many critters, give shade, oxygen and trap carbon for many years to come.

Garden ornaments also impart and feeling of luxury and add a little pizzazz to a garden. I’m not suggesting garden gnomes or cheap tin roosters, but handmade sculptures that add value and interest to the entire landscape. Sculptural pieces should enhance the space they occupy and integrate with the garden. Remember that anything you place outside will have to contend with environmental factors, the better the quality the longer the piece will last.

Garden sculpture can also be practical; there are some beautiful birdbaths available that act both as an art piece and an essential item to attract wildlife into the garden.  Give careful consideration to the scale of any art piece that you place in the garden, if it is too small for the area, it will get lost, if its too large it will overwhelm the space and look too pompous. Play around with it until you find the exact spot that resonates balance and belonging, it will give you joy for many years to come.