Big Dreams, Small Space

February 18, 2022

You can do a lot with a little. Whether it’s a small yard, patio, or windowsill, a garden bursting with colorful flowers, fresh vegetables, and fragrant herbs is within reach. All it takes is the right plants and a little time to create a beautiful green space that fits your lifestyle. Here are some simple steps and tips to help you select the perfect plants and design a space that works for you.

Start with a Plan

"Begin by measuring and planning your space,” advises landscape designer, Susan Cohan, APLD. The plan doesn’t need to be elaborate—a simple guide will help you visualize the area and lay the groundwork for the design.

Before putting your ideas on paper, think about how you want your garden to come to life. Will it be a serene retreat, a vibrant spot for entertaining, or a productive haven for growing fresh vegetables and flowers? Defining the purpose of your garden will guide your design and ensure it aligns perfectly with your vision.

Consider Light and Shade

Small gardens are often bordered by buildings, which can significantly impact the amount of sunlight they receive. In urban areas, gardens may be enclosed on two or more sides, creating deep shadows as the sun moves throughout the day. Cohan suggests takeing the time to carefully observe how much light and shade your space gets. Many people assume their garden is sunny when, in reality, it experiences a lot of shade.

Accurately assessing light levels is crucial for selecting the right plants for sun or shade.

Think Vertically

Next, Cohan suggest, “looking for opportunities to grow vertically rather than horizontally.” Vertical gardening is an excellent way to make the most of a small space while adding depth and visual interest.

Trellises and walls provide excellent support for climbing vines, while walls or fences are great for attaching containers to maximize growing space. For added personality, decorate these surfaces with artwork or unique found objects. Enhance dimension by introducing varied levels to your garden—consider building a raised bed or creating a sunken garden.

Incorporate Container-Friendly Plants

When space is limited, Container-friendly plants open up a world of potted possibilities:

Flowers: Brighten up your porch or balcony with vibrant blooms in colorful pots or a charming window box. Discover container-friendly flowers like petunias, zinnias, and more here.
Vegetables: Limited space doesn’t mean you have to miss out on fresh produce. Grow lettuce, carrots, peppers, tomatoes, and other garden-fresh veggies with our container-friendly options.
Herbs: No yard? No problem! A sunny windowsill is the perfect place to cultivate fresh basil, chives, oregano and more herbs for cooking.

Play With Scale

Small gardens don’t require using all small plants. It’s important to play with scale and vary heights. Cohan likes to add at least one big plant to a small garden. Adding very large plants, when appropriate, adds mystery. A large plant blocks part of the space from view so that walking the garden becomes a process of discovering new and interesting aspects. (Try Butterfly Bush Nanho Purple)

A big plant is also an attention getter. A show-stopping plant in the garden draws the eye and lengthens the discovery time.

If you’re interested in creating an outdoor room, shrubs or other tall plants aligned together become a green wall. Walls create the feeling of sanctuary and intimacy.

Choose Plants with Character

Smaller gardens contain fewer plants, so every selection counts. Opt for plants with extra character and avoid one-hit wonders. Cohan says to look for plants with the “big three” traits. These traits are interesting foliage, whether evergreen or not, a long bloom time, whether blooming or not, and interesting bark. Use foliage plants – like coleus- that look great all season. Leave seed and flower heads on for winter interest. Plants with at least two of the big three traits provide more impact per plant and make the most of limited space.

Examples include Dianthus ‘Firewitch’, known for its long-lasting blooms and spiky silver-blue foliage, and Hydrangea ‘Masja’, a compact variety with stunning pink flowers and glossy leaves. The flower heads of ‘Masja’ also bring charm and interest to the garden, even during winter.

Mix Annuals with Perennials

The last thing to consider when designing a smaller garden, is the use of annual flowers with perennials and shrubs. Since fewer plants are needed for impact in smaller gardens this combination can be very appealing. Many annuals bloom throughout the season, making them a valuable addition. Consider pairing the fragrant lavender blooms and grey-green foliage of Agastache 'Blue Fortune' with the full season interest of the purple-hued dark foliage of Alternanthera ‘Black Knight’. And because of the large selection of annual flowers, you can dramatically change the look of your garden from year to year.

With a little planning and the right plants, less garden can turly become more.

Got a small garden, patio or just a windowsill? No problem! Container-friendly plants open up a world of potted possibilities.