All of us would like to have a large area to create the landscape of our dreams – large trees, flower garden beds, classy rock garden, water features, wonderful sitting area to take it all in.
The truth is, design and landscaping ideas for small gardens can be just as inviting, and enjoyable, with a lot less maintenance. Let’s look at 5 garden design ideas for small gardens to make the small bite-size landscape spaces go Wow!
Go Vertical
The eye in landscaping small spaces immediately heads to the outside perimeter. Look for ways to “interrupt” the eye by creating or adding vertical elements to give the small space a more 3-dimensional look.
Use tall, narrow plants like bamboo, palm or a crepe myrtle. Incorporate a freestanding trellis or raise planting beds to make that eye look for other visuals.
Don’t forget to include some nighttime accent lighting features, to create new looks. Placing soft lighting behind tall plants can change the look and feel.
Unique decorative urns, pottery and planters along with stone seating can create attention.
Be Colorful
Bright colors always seem to be moving closer to us, keep those up front, dark colors appear to hide in the deep shadows.
Going vertical moves the eyes, now we want to create dimension and depth in our design. For small spaces think of “fences” by using dark green vines as covering like the Australian Hardenbergia or paint them olive green or a dark brown.
Add a focal point like a fountain, specimen pottery or statue. Use textures like grasses not colors to “merge” the front and back areas.
Think Big
All too often when landscaping small gardens, it is done small. It can also get cluttered by trying to have too many plants, items or actions crammed into the area.
Keep things simplewhen landscaping small spaces… Limit your planting choices. It is more effective and better to use a dozen of 3 different plants than 3 plants of a dozen different plant varieties.
Go big, make a statement, command the space, with a landscape rock big enough to sit on or a large dramatic decorative container.
Mount gates or doors on walls or fences to to give the illusion of something hiding beyond.
Get Wet
A fountain even modest in size in a small graden can create a big impact. Take the “Think Big” point and find a nice ballast rock (maybe vertical in size), and have it drilled out and create your own naturalistic water feature. Then, top it off by incorporating some interesting lighting.
Their are many classic or modern containers with a water feature built in.
Here is a DIY water feature from Aquascape
Dry Out
Small garden landscaping ideas and designs often find their “features” planted up against the foundation of the house. Planting landscape plants which use “water efficiently” will assist in keeping foundations dry.
Your local water company should have a list of low-water plants and recommended natives for your area.
Move extra water away from the foundation with a french drain, a trench or downspouts. You may even want to collect rainwater to water your plants.
Gravel is usually used to cover drains. To “wow” things up using recycled colored glass and lighting to jazz things up.
These are just 5 actions you can take to create impact when landscaping a small garden to make them go “Wow.” I’m sure you know of others.
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