The Small Garden Awards: The Most Stunning, Funniest, And The Most Unlikely Things We've Seen
Adding Interest to a Small Garden
To maximize the use of small gardens, careful planning is required. Add interest to the small space by using wall gardens, trellis or planters. This will help you save valuable floor space.
It is still possible to grow vegetables, herbs and flowers in a small space. Make use of a variety of plants that are seasonal to add interest throughout the year.
Trees
Trees can beautify the garden, provide shade and structure, and help the landscape feel bigger. But their expansive roots and towering canopies could make them big for small gardens and often compete with other plants. Find dwarf versions of the trees you love, which have the same beauty and purpose but are smaller. The fastest-growing varieties can be used to screen unwanted views, add the height and shade of the fence or patio. These trees are available in a diverse range of sizes, colors, flowers and foliage, ensuring all year round interest.
The 'Archer's Dwarf' white fir is an excellent option for small gardens. This evergreen is compact and an excellent choice for small spaces, as it grows slowly and its dense branches extend out of the ground instead of growing upwards. It is simple to plant in tight spaces. It produces a beautiful cone crop in autumn, and thick green foliage that begins close to the ground throughout the season. This is a tough tree that thrives in USDA zones 4-7.
Crabapple trees like the Ebony Flame variety, are a fantastic choice for a deciduous plant with a unique look. It can grow up to 12 feet tall (3.6 meters) however it is easy to cut back and will remain an attractive focal point in your garden all through summer and into autumn. This is a hardy tree that can withstand full sunshine and well-drained soil.
You can also try an ivy leaf magnolia or saucer, both of which are slow-growing and can give your garden a height without crowding out other plants. They can also be adapted and tolerant of various conditions for growth.
The 'Sky Pencil' holly is another fast-growing, narrow tree that can grow to 6 feet tall, and is perfect for small spaces. This holly's slender, upright shape looks great with yellows, blues and pink shades. It's an evergreen berry with berries that add winter interest when pollinating plants are nearby.
Sheltered Corners
A quiet corner is the perfect place to relax with a book or soaking in the view. In a small garden these are hard to find however there are ways to make them. Wind is a major element in many small gardens, especially those on exposed sites. It is important to determine the direction of the wind and then choose plants that block or frame the wind. Plants such as Fatsia japonica, Aucuba japonica, Tetrapanax papyrifer and Pseudopanax laetus are good choices as they can withstand some shade and can increase in height to frame the view or act as windbreaks.
A wall can be used to create a more protected space by blocking wind. However, it's not a good idea to block the entire area if you wish to be able to use the space during other times of the year. Try instead a slatted fence or trellis with a partial wall which still let in light and allow for movement but not the full force of wind.
A small pond will also make the space appear larger even if a larger one is not feasible. This will not only appear amazing, but it will also fill the air with the soothing sound of water rushing through the rocks before entering the water. The right plants are also important in a small-sized garden. The plants should be tolerant of the site and not overly large or they could outgrow their surroundings. Plants like Canna Lilies, Solanum crispum, Mophead Hydrangeas, Ornamental bananas and Oryza sativa "Purple Queen" work well in most conditions.
One last tip is to make use of paths and structures to draw the eye upwards and outwards, instead of straight down the garden. This is something that most of the gardens that are great do, and it trick the brain into thinking that a garden is larger than it really is. This is especially useful in smaller or courtyard gardens.
Less is More
You must reduce the big ideas that you see in magazines or on Instagram when you design the layout of a small area. The result is a more compact garden that will offer more impact with less effort.
For instance, instead of filling a corner with an entanglement of climbing plants, put an individual trellis along the fence or wall and utilize it to cultivate a vine. The plant will be able to climb with ease and won't have to compete with other plants for water or light. Choose simple colors - two or more shades of green, with different petal colors is less visually overwhelming than an explosion of jelly beans-like flora.
Another option is to utilize the length of a long garden to make it look larger by placing a striking plant or other feature towards the end of the space. gardening vegetable will draw the eye across the garden and create a sense of depth. This technique is particularly efficient in small, but wide gardens that drop down to form an edge at the back.
Other ideas for designing small gardens include plants that double as a garden. gardening vegetable seating area can function as a focal piece, a display box for windows, or as a place to grow edible flowers and plants. This means that you can relax in the sun and enjoy a drink from the table on your patio, while keeping an eye on other elements of the garden.
It's important to keep your garden organized. To avoid overcrowding, create clear lines between your beds and plant your plants in a rotation. So, you can plant tomatoes in one bed this year, and cucumbers in the next, and then switch them in a few years.
The Less Is More Garden has many ideas that can assist you in making the most of your small space. Susan Morrison gives savvy tips on how to align your garden to your lifestyle. She suggests plants that offer shape and texture throughout the seasons, and offers tips on a range of hardscape materials.
Make the most of vertical Space
Every garden has vertical spaces, and using them is a key strategy in designing small gardens. Structures that allow plants to grow up, such as trellises and arbors, create an ambiance that is more like a garden while freeing up space on the ground for other plants. Alternatively, planters can be suspended from walls, and windows can also be used to plant things like sedums or strawberries. Recycled items like canvas shoe racks can be used to create planting pockets on the wall. You can also utilize milk jugs or other containers that are recycled for your yard. You'll have to fertilize and water the plants like any other container garden.
A classic design trick to make a garden seem larger is to alter the perspective by directing the eyes across the area instead of looking at it from one point. This works particularly well with long narrow gardens where the boundary between the back and front is often obvious. You can achieve this by placing larger elements like trees and boulders further back into the garden or by utilizing a slightly-angled design for your paver.
In addition to that, rethinking the design of your garden to take advantage of its vertical space is a great way to add more plantings without taking up any extra space. Trellises and Treepees work well for climbing flowers such as lilyturfa or fuchsia as well for vines like tomatoes and cucumbers. You can also train vegetables such as peas and bean to climb a fence.
Another option is to create a living wall, which consists of a series of planting areas that are connected to a wall or other surface. You can plant a variety herbaceous perennials and small shrubs along with fragrant and vegetable plants such as cucumbers or squash. They are easy to maintain and create a great focal point for any garden. homes gardens can also be a great place to relax and unwind and enjoy a beautiful view to enjoy.