Gardening is for everyone, no matter how big of a space you have. There is a plant for everyone and every garden. You can still enjoy getting your hands dirty even if your garden is on the small side. Don’t let that stop you from enjoying the planting fun this spring!
One common design mistake small-space gardeners make is having small quantities of a large number of plant varieties rather than a larger quantity of a smaller number of plant varieties. Pick a few of your favorites and group them in large clusters in your garden beds. This will help your garden look less cluttered.
Make smart plant choices. A plant may look small at the garden center, but check its tag to make sure its mature size is suitable for your garden. Find dwarf varieties to save space. Check out Jazz Hands Loropetalum from Proven Winners for some color. You can also find dwarf fruiting plants, like the blueberry varieties from Bushel & Berry. Maximize your planting space even more by finding climbing plants to train on a fence or trellis. Think vertically!
Check out this sample design created by Martin’s Home & Garden’s Landscape Designer, Jacqulyn Mealer. Adapt it to fit your own garden beds!
Our Landscape Design Department has created custom designs for homes all around middle Tennessee. No matter the size of your space, we’ll work with you on a plan that fits your needs.
You can also use color to create a sense of spaciousness. A monochromatic color scheme (plants that are all the same color or different shades of the same color) keeps your eye from being interrupted by other colors. Also, plant blooms of warmer colors in front of ones that are cooler colors to create a hazy ambiance. These trick will deceive your eye into thinking your garden is bigger than it really is.
Container gardens are also a popular option for small spaces, especially if the only outdoor space you have is a patio or balcony. Fill them with annuals, and each year you can create a different look. Use the “thriller, filler, spiller” design concept in your container garden to allow for even more plants. Your “thriller” is a tall plant that adds height and drama and is usually placed at the back or in the center of your container. The “filler” is a mounded plant that fills the middle section of your container. The “spiller” is a trailing plant that drapes over the very edge.
If you need help finishing your garden plan, get in touch our team at Martin’s Home & Garden – we’re always happy to help you find the perfect plants!
This blog post was also published as an article in The Murfreesboro Post on February 6, 2019.
