The Small Garden Awards: The Most, Worst, And Strangest Things We've Ever Seen

Adding Interest to a Small Garden

Small gardens require careful consideration to make the most of their use. The addition of interest to wall plants, trellis or a planter is a great way to break up an otherwise small-sized garden without occupying valuable floor space.

In a small space you can still plant plants, flowers and even herbs. Utilize a variety of seasonal plants to provide interest all through the year.

Trees

Trees can make gardens look more appealing, provide shade and structure and make the garden appear larger. Their expansive roots and towering canopy can make them too big for small spaces and compete with other plants. Try dwarf varieties of the trees you love, which have the same beauty and function but are smaller. The fastest-growing varieties can be used to screen unwanted views, add height and shade to the fence or patio. These trees are available in a variety of sizes and colors, as well as flowers and foliage to provide all-year-round interest.

The "Archer's Dwarf" white fir is an excellent option for a small-sized garden. This evergreen that is compact is an excellent option for smaller spaces due to the fact that it grows slowly and its thick branches spread out from close to the ground, rather than upwards which makes it easy to plant in small areas. It also produces a very colourful crop of cones in the fall, and has a thick green foliage that begins close to the ground all season long. This is a robust tree that will thrive from USDA zones 4-7.

Crabapple trees like the Ebony Flame variety, are an excellent option for a deciduous tree with a distinctive appearance. It can grow up to 12 feet tall (3.6 meters) however it is easy to cut back and will remain an attractive feature in your garden all through summer and autumn. It is a sturdy tree that tolerates the sun's full rays and a well-drained soil.

You can also try an ivy leaf magnolia or saucer magnolia Both are slow-growing and can give your garden a height without crowding out other plants. They are also tough and adaptable to a variety of conditions for growing.

The  Sky Pencil holly is another fast-growing, narrow tree that can grow to 6 feet tall and is ideal for small spaces. The narrow upright form of this holly looks great with shades of yellow, blue and pink. It's an evergreen with berries that offer winter interest when pollinating plants are in close proximity.

Corners that are protected Corners

A quiet corner is the perfect place to relax with a book or enjoying the view. These are not easy to find in small gardens however, they are possible to create. The first thing to think about is the wind. This is a problem for smaller gardens, especially those with exposed areas. It is important to determine which direction the wind blows from and then plant the plants to frame the view or block the wind. These plants are suitable for areas that are shaded and will get tall enough to act as a windbreak or to screen the view.

A wall can be utilized to create a safer space by blocking the wind. However, it's not an ideal idea to block the entire area in order to make use of the space at other times of the year. Instead, consider an slatted wall, a partial fence or trellis that will allow light to enter and movement but not the full force of the wind.

A small pond can make the area appear larger even if a large one isn't possible. It will not only look beautiful, but will also fill the air in the tranquil sound of water rushing through the rocks before entering the water. In a small garden, the right choice of plants is crucial. Plants must be tolerant to the area, but not grow too large or they'll outgrow it. Plants like Canna lilies, Solanum crispum, Mophead Hydrangeas, Ornamental bananas and Oryza sativa 'Purple Queen' work well in most conditions.

Make sure that the paths and structures you choose to use draw the eye upwards or to the side rather than straight down in the garden. This is something most of the  gardens  that are great do, and it tricks the brain into thinking a garden is larger than it actually is. This is especially helpful in smaller or courtyard gardens.

Less Is More

It is essential to cut down on all the big ideas you see in magazines or on Instagram when designing an area of just. The result will be a garden that is more efficient and requires less effort.

Instead of filling a whole corner with climbing plants, install a single trellis in the fence or wall to create a vine. This way, the plant will have a clean space to climb, and it won't be competing with other plants for light or water. Then choose a simple color palette of two or three varying shades of green, paired with petal colors, is less visually overwhelming than a jelly-bean-like explosion of flowers.

Another trick is to use the length of a long garden to make it look larger by placing a standout plant or feature near the far end of the space. This will draw the attention across the garden and create a sense depth. This trick works well in gardens that are large but also short and are sloped down to the back boundary.

Other ideas for designing small gardens include plants that double as a garden. A seating area can function as a focal piece or a display box to create a window or a place to plant edible flowers and herbs. This means that you can relax in the sun and enjoy a drink from the patio table, while keeping your eye on other elements of the garden.

In a small-sized garden, it's essential to keep it organized. To avoid overcrowding, make clear bed divisions and rotate plants. So you can plant cucumbers and tomatoes in different beds this year, and then switch them out in a few more years.

The Less Is More Garden is full of ideas to help you make the most value from your small space. Susan Morrison gives savvy tips on how to align your garden to your lifestyle. She suggests plants that provide texture and shape throughout the seasons, and offers suggestions on a variety of hardscape materials.

Make the most of vertical Space

All gardens have vertical spaces, and using them is a key strategy in small garden design. Structures that let plants grow, such as trellises and arbors, create an appearance that resembles a garden while freeing up space on the ground for other plants. Planters can also be suspended from the wall and window boxes can be used to plant sedums and strawberries. Recycled objects like canvas shoe racks can be used to make planting pockets on the wall. You can also use milk jugs or other containers that are recycled to plant your garden. Maintenance for these types of plants is the same as caring for any other container garden - you'll require fertilization and watering regularly.

One of the most popular ways to make a garden seem bigger is to play with the perspective by directing the eyes across the area instead of looking at it from one spot. This works particularly well with long, narrow gardens where the back boundary may be all too obvious. You can achieve this by placing larger elements like trees and boulders further back into the yard or using the design of a slightly angled paver.

Also, rethinking the layout of your garden to take advantage of its vertical space is a great method of adding more plants without taking up any additional space. Trellises and Treepees work well for climbing flowers such as lilyturfa or fuchsia as well for vines like cucumbers and tomato. You can also train vegetables such as peas and bean to climb fences.

A living wall is another option. It is a series planting areas that are attached to a surface or wall. It is possible to plant a variety of herbaceous perennials, grasses and smaller shrubs along these, along with fragrant plants and some vegetables like 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 relax and enjoy the views.