If you’re newly inspired by the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, you might be thinking about revamping your own outdoor space ready for the summer.
Many of us find our horticultural ambitions a bit limited by lack of space, but when you remember that the show gardens at Chelsea range from only three metres squared to 10 metres squared you’ll realise what can be achieved.
Planning a small garden takes a lot more thought, as every square foot has to work hard, but can be a lot more satisfying than working with a larger area. Here are our top tips.
1. Plan your time
How do you want to use your outdoor space throughout the year? If you like to eat outside, you’ll need a level area for table and chairs. Do you need to leave room for a children’s play area?
Watch your garden at different times of day to note how the light falls – if your eating alfresco is mostly going to be done after work, you’ll need to put your table when it gets the evening sun.
2. Fixed features
When re-planning a garden, most of us aren’t starting with a completely blank canvas.
Do you need to keep an existing shed, greenhouse, summer house, wall or patio? If so, it is a feature you want to screen or make the most of? Tall and climbing plants make efficient screens, and planting brightly-coloured flowers in front of a wall will create a nice contrast.
3. Practicality
If you need to walk through your garden to get to your house, there are a couple of practical things to think about.
Putting in a proper path – one that’s paved or gravelled – will help protect both your shoes and your floors. Border the path with plants that don’t grow too fast, so that you don’t have to spend too much time cutting them back – if it’s a sunny spot, lavender or cottage garden flowers like wallflowers work well.
Avoid roses, or anything with thorns that may snag clothing.
4. Keep it simple
Not having much space doesn’t mean you have to cram every available inch with plants. A low-maintenance option is to completely pave the area, then add lots of pots and some pretty furniture.
Adding mirrors on walls can help to give the illusion of more space, and use feature lighting to add interest.
5. Make the most of it
Give both ends of your garden a different feel to give the illusion of more space.
Add a trellis, archway or lavender hedge halfway down to act as a visual divider, and create a private nook with a garden bench and a screen of dense greenery such as privet to shield it from the house.
6. Mix textures
Add interest to a smaller space with clever use of textures – a stone or brick patio, wooden decking, stoneware, ceramic or lead-effect pots and gravel pathways will create a visually attractive mix.
When planting, mix flowering plants with textural choices such as bamboo and ornamental grasses.
Don’t be afraid to plant trees, either – most garden centres have smaller or dwarf varieties, suitable for small spaces.
By Sara Walker
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Hi there,
I really like your blog! It has helped me improve not only my garden, but myself as well 🙂 I have already bought two chairs to make my garden more modern and trendy. I actually spent a lot less money than intended!
Helen