Avoid Making This Fatal Mistake Youre Using Your Small Garden

Adding Interest to a Small Garden

To maximize the value of small gardens it is essential to plan them carefully. Add interest to your small garden by incorporating wall gardens, trellis or planters. This will allow you to save floor space.

You can still cultivate vegetables, herbs and flowers in a small space. Utilize a variety of plants that are seasonal to add interest all through the year.

Trees

Trees can make a garden appear more attractive, add shade and structure and make the landscape appear larger. Their expansive roots and towering canopy can make them too big for small gardens and be a threat to other plants. To avoid these problems, look for dwarf versions of your favorite trees that provide the same beauty and functionality but on a smaller scale. The fastest-growing varieties can be used to block unwanted views, add the height and shade of your fence or patio. These trees are available in various sizes, colors, flowers and foliage for year-round interest.

The "Archer's Dwarf" White Fir is an excellent option for a small garden. This compact evergreen makes an excellent choice for small areas, since it grows slowly and its dense branches extend out from the ground instead of upwards. It is simple to plant in narrow areas. It also produces a colorful crop of cones in the fall and has thick green leaves that start close to the ground throughout the year. This is a robust tree that thrives from USDA zones 4 to 7.

If you're looking for a deciduous tree that has a different look, consider an apple tree like the 'Ebony Flame' variety. This tree can grow to 12 feet (3.6 meters) tall, however it is easy-to-prune and will remain a stunning focal point in your yard throughout the summer and fall. This is a tough tree that can withstand full sun and well-drained soil.

Try using an ivy-leaf magnolia instead. Both are slow-growing and will give a taller appearance to your garden without clogging other plants. They are also tough and adaptable to a range of growing conditions.

The Sky Pencil holly is another fast-growing, narrow tree that can reach up to 6 feet tall, and is ideal for small spaces. The holly's upright, narrow shape looks great with blues, yellows and shades of pink. It's an evergreen that can provide winter interest through its berries when male plants are nearby.

Corners with shelter Corners

A quiet corner is the perfect place to unwind with a good book or enjoy the view. In a small space, these are difficult to come by however there are ways to make them. Wind is a major factor in a lot of small gardens , particularly those situated on exposed sites. It is crucial to determine which direction the wind blows and then use planting to frame the view or block wind. Plants like Fatsia japonica, Aucuba japonica, Tetrapanax papyrifer and Pseudopanax laetus are good choices as they are tolerant of some shade and will grow tall to screen the view or act as windbreaks.





A wall can be used to create a safer space by preventing wind. It's not a good idea to close off the entire area, if you plan to utilize it in other times. Instead, consider a slatted fencing, partial wall or trellis which still let in light and allow movement but not the full force of wind.

A small pond can make the space appear larger even if a large one is not possible. It will not only appear gorgeous, but also fill the air with the soothing sound of water rushing across the rocks and into the water. The right plants are also essential in a small garden. The plants should be tolerant of the site and not be too big, or they may outgrow their surroundings. raised garden beds like Canna Lilies, Solanum crispum, Mophead hydrangeas, Ornamental bananas and Oryza sativa "Purple Queen" work well in almost all conditions.

One last suggestion is to use paths and structures to lead the eye upwards and outwards instead of straight down a garden. The most beautiful gardens employ this trick to make the garden appear larger than it is. This is especially useful in the case of a small courtyard garden.

Less is More

When planning a small-sized garden, you must cut down the huge ideas you see in magazines and Instagram into what works for your space. The result will be a garden that is more efficient with less effort.

Instead of filling an entire corner with climbing plants put a single trellis on a wall or fence to help train the vine. The plant will have a clean space to climb on and will not be competing with other plants for water or light. Then choose a simple color scheme - two or three varying shades of green, paired with petal colors, are less visually overwhelming than a jelly-bean like explosion of flora.

Another trick is to make a long garden appear bigger by putting a feature or plant at the end. This will draw the attention across the garden and create a sense depth. This trick is especially useful in gardens that are narrow but slope down to a back boundary.

Other design tricks for a small garden include using double-purpose planting. For example, a seating area can act as an accent point, a display for an open window or place to grow edible flowers and herbs. You can enjoy drinks at the patio table while you watch other garden elements.

In a small-sized garden, it's important to be organized. To avoid overcrowding create clear bed divisions and rotate plants. So, you can plant tomatoes in one bed this year and cucumbers the next, then switch them out in a few years.

The Less Is More Garden is full of ideas to help you make the most value from the space you have. Susan Morrison gives savvy tips on how to align your garden with your lifestyle. She suggests plants that offer form and texture through the seasons, and provides advice on a variety of hardscape materials.

Make the Most of Vertical Space

All gardens have vertical space, and maximising the use of these spaces is a crucial factor when designing a small garden. Structures that allow plants to grow up, such as arbors and trellises, give an ambiance that is more like a garden while freeing space on the ground for other plants. Planters can also be suspended from the wall, and window boxes can be used to plant strawberries or sedums. Repurposed items such as canvas shoe racks can also be used to create plant pockets on the wall. You can also utilize milk jugs and other containers that are recycled for your yard. You'll require fertilization and watering these plants just like any other container garden.

A classic design trick to make a garden appear larger is to alter the perspective, by directing the eye across the area instead of just viewing it from a single point. This is particularly useful for gardens that are narrow and long with an obvious back boundary. You can do this by placing larger pieces such as trees and boulders, further back in the garden or by using a slightly angled layout for paver.

Additionally changing the design of your garden to make the most of its vertical space is a great method to plant more plants without occupying any additional land. Trellises and Treepees work well for climbing flowers like Fuchsia or lilyturfa aswell as vines such as cucumbers and tomato. You can also train vegetables such as beans and peas to climb a fence.

Another option is to create a living wall, which consists of a series of planting areas that are affixed to a wall or other surface. You can grow a variety of grasses, perennials, and smaller plants on these, in addition to fragrant plants and some vegetables such as cucumbers or squash. They are easy to maintain and make the perfect focal point in any garden. You can also use them as a place to sit and take in the views.