Adding Interest to a Small Garden
To maximize the usability of small gardens it is essential to plan them carefully. Adding interest with wall gardens, trellis, or planters is a great method to break up a small garden layout without occupying valuable floor space.
In a small area you can still plant plants, flowers and even herbs. Utilize a variety of seasonal species to add interest throughout the year.
Trees
Trees add color to the garden they offer shade and structure and help the landscape feel larger. But their expansive roots and towering canopies could make them big for small spaces and they are often in competition with other plants. To overcome these issues, look for dwarf versions of your favourite trees that offer the same beauty and functionality in a smaller size. The fastest-growing varieties can be used to block unwanted views, and add the height and shade of your fence or patio. These trees are available in a diverse range of sizes, flowers, colors, and foliage to provide year-round interest.
The "Archer's Dwarf" White Fir is a fantastic option for small yards. This evergreen is compact and the perfect choice for smaller spaces, as it grows slowly and its dense branching grows out of the ground instead of upwards. It is easy to plant in tight spaces. It also produces a colorful crop of cones during the fall, and has a thick green leaves that start close to the ground all season long. This is a tough tree that will thrive from USDA zones 4 to 7.
If you are looking for an evergreen tree with a different look, consider a crabapple tree such as the 'Ebony Fire variety. The tree can reach 12 feet (3.6 meters) tall, however it is easy-to-prune and will remain a stunning centerpiece in your yard throughout autumn and summer. It is a sturdy tree that can withstand full sunlight and well-drained ground.
Try an ivy leaf magnolia in place of. Both are slow-growing plants that can add height to any garden without clogging other plants. They can also be adapted and tolerant of an array of growing conditions.
The "Sky Pencil" holly is another fast-growing, narrow tree that can grow to 6 feet tall, and is perfect for small spaces. The upright, narrow form of this holly looks stunning with shades of blue, yellow and pink. It is an evergreen plant that can provide winter interest through its berries if male plants are in close proximity.
Corners with shelter Corners
A quiet corner is the perfect spot to read a good book or to take in the view. These are not easy to find in small gardens however, they are possible to build. The first thing to take into consideration is the wind. This can be an issue for small gardens, particularly those located on exposed sites. It's important to figure out which direction the wind blows and then plant the plants to frame the view or block wind. Plants such as Fatsia japonica, Aucuba japonica, Tetrapanax papyrifer and Pseudopanax laetus are excellent choices as they can withstand some shade and will get taller to block the view or act as a windbreak.
A wall can be utilized to create a more secure space by preventing wind. It's not the best idea to close off the entire space, especially if you intend to use it at other times. Instead, consider a slatted fencing or trellis with a partial wall, which will still let in light and allow movement but not take the full force of wind.
If a full-size garden isn't possible, a small pond can also make a space feel bigger. This will not only look beautiful, but will also fill the air with the tranquil sound of water rushing through the rocks into the water. In a small garden the proper selection of plants is crucial. The plants must be tolerant of the area and not overly large or they could outgrow their surroundings. Plants such as Canna Lilies, Solanum crispum, Mophead Hydrangeas, Ornamental bananas and Oryza sativa "Purple Queen" work well in all conditions.
Make sure that the paths and structures you choose to use lead the eye upwards or to the side rather than straight down in a garden. This is something that most of the top gardens do, and tricks the brain into thinking a garden is larger than it really is. This is particularly helpful in a narrow courtyard garden.
Less is More
When planning a small-sized garden, you have to cut down the huge ideas you read about in magazines and Instagram into what is appropriate for your space. The result is a streamlined garden that will offer more impact and less effort.
Instead of filling an entire corner with climbing plants, install a single trellis in the fence or wall to create a vine. starting a garden will be able to climb with ease and won't have to compete with other plants for water or light. Then choose a simple color scheme - three or two different shades of green, along with petal colors, is less visually overwhelming than a jelly-bean-like swarm of flora.
Another trick is to use the length of a long garden to make it look larger by placing a standout plant or other feature near the end of the garden. This will draw the eye across the entire garden and create depth. This technique works best in gardens that are wide but also short and are sloped down to the back border.
Other ways to design a small garden include using plants that double as a garden. For example, a seating area can be used as an accent point, a display for windows or a spot to grow edible herbs and flowers. You can enjoy an alcoholic drink at the patio table while you watch other garden elements.
In a small garden, it's also important to keep it organized. To avoid overcrowding, make an orderly division between your beds and plant your plants in rotation. So, you can plant tomatoes in one bed this year and cucumbers in the next one, then switch them out in a few years.
The Less Is More Garden has many ideas that can allow you to make the most of your tiny space. Susan Morrison gives savvy tips for matching your garden with your lifestyle. She suggests plants that offer texture and shape throughout the seasons, and gives suggestions on a variety of hardscape materials.
Vertical Space: Make the Most of it
All gardens have vertical spaces, and leveraging them is a key strategy for small-scale garden design. Structures such as trellises and arbors that allow plants to grow upwards give an impression of a garden while also freeing space on the ground for planting. Planters can be suspended from the wall and window boxes can be used to plant strawberries or sedums. Repurposed items, such as canvas shoe holders are great planting pockets that can be hung on the wall, or you can make use of milk jugs or other containers made from recycled materials to store plants in your yard. You'll require fertilization and watering these plants just like any other container garden.
A classic design trick to make a garden feel larger is to alter the perspective by directing the gaze across the space instead of viewing it from a single point. This is particularly effective for long, narrow gardens where the back boundary is often obvious. This can be achieved by putting larger elements such as trees and boulders further back in the garden or by utilizing an angled design for your paver.
Additionally to that, rethinking the layout of your garden to make use of its vertical space is an excellent method of adding more plants without occupying any additional land. Treepees and trellises are great to climb flowers such as lilyturfa or fuchsia as well for vines like cucumbers and tomato. You can also train vegetables like beans and peas to climb fences.
Another option is to construct a living wall, which consists of a variety of planting areas that are connected to a wall or other surface. You can plant a range of herbaceous perennials and small shrubs as well as scented and vegetable plants like squash or cucumbers. They are easy to maintain and make a great focal point for any garden. They can also be a great place to relax and unwind because you will always enjoy a beautiful view to take in.