The familiar phrase goes ‘size isn’t everything’, and it’s especially wise to remember that when it comes to our gardens. You can still do some great things in what you may see as limited space. Design tricks, the use of containers and the right plant choices can help you make the most of a ‘postage stamp’ size garden.
When planning your garden, don’t forget a space for you to kick back and chill out. Whether it’s a nice little bistro set or some homemade pallet seating/sofa make it yours by styling it with colourful and themed accessories.
Pots and containers
The benefits of a containerised garden is that you can move it around as often as you want, much like a jigsaw, so as one plant fades out, you can simply move it to the back! If you’re really squished for space, yet want to grow more, be intelligent about it and use square containers which slot together efficiently. And don’t forget you can grow fruit and veg in containers too. And if you need to up-sticks and move house/flat, you can take them with you.
A lack of open ground doesn’t have to mean you can’t grow plants. Rock plants often have minimal needs and can be planted in shallow pots or even between cracks in the wall, between paving slabs, or scattered about a gravel path. Adding these living touches softens the harsh landscaping too.
Dress walls and fences
Think wall shrubs, climbers, tall planters… If you’re short of ground-space, then think about how they deal with that situation in places like New York, they go upwards. Make the most of your space with this clever space saving trick, and it doesn’t have to just be climbers either, why not consider using fantastic tower planters too. There are a number of other ways to paint your fences with colour, but you won’t actually need a drop of paint. All you need is a nail or screw, and some drill know-how. Flower Pouches are those ‘flowering socks’ you’ve probably seen about, which can inexpensively change the colour of a brown fence. It’s possible to buy drain planters too. With so many great inventions these days, any space or surface can become a mini botanical paradise.
Ponds and water
Ponds don’t always have to be dug into the ground, you can have a raised pond too, and it can be as simple as a wooden half-barrel. Take care with your plant selections though, and choose the miniature water lilies rather than the huge specimens. Introduce some wildlife to the pond too, but make sure there are slopes and escape routes for wildlife to get in and out of the water too.
Green roofs
Short of surfaces to grow? Think about adding a green roof to your flat roof extension or sloping shed roof. You can either build your own or buy ready-made ‘green roof mats’, which can easily slot into place. The easy care plants will include hardy succulents and bee attractants too, so it’ll be trouble-free and welcoming to wildlife.
Lighter colourings
Avoid dark colours when choosing paving or paint colours for your outside walls. Darker colours can make the space look smaller, so choose some nice light pastels, or a gorgeous Spanish white to make the space feel better, and offer a better showcase background for your prized plants.
