Design and plant a small garden to maximum effect by following a few simple rules
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| Plant in tiers of tall, middle and lower levels
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'Consider how much room to set aside for flowerbeds; plants often look better if they are allowed to expand in a larger bed rather than contained in a narrow space against a tall fence.'
A small garden can be an intimate space to enjoy getting close up and personal with favourite plants. The subtleties of each plant can be fully appreciated by plant lovers and any problems, such as a stray weed, will be noticed quickly and can be dealt with promptly. For enthusiastic gardeners, there is a fine line between acquiring new plants for plenty of interest and over-planting the space so that plants crowd each other out. On the other hand, if the garden is planted too cautiously, with only compact, slow-growing shrubs and small perennials, it may never gain a lush maturity. To get a balance of growth and containment, a mix of plants is necessary, not only for their special qualities but also for variety in final size.
Working with the space available
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| The smoke bush (Cotinus coggyria) can be pruned to form a small tree shape
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Look at the garden perimeter and decide whether screening is needed. Consider the shapes that could be made within the garden. Space and sunlight may be at a premium, so decide whether it's where the plants are, or the patio for instance, that is the sunniest area. Consider how much room to set aside for flowerbeds; plants often look better if they are allowed to expand in a larger bed rather than contained in a narrow space against a tall fence. Be creative with the internal shapes made by the lawn, beds, paths and patios so that the space is used well and the view is interesting. Whether researching online, or at a garden centre, check information on the height and spread of each plant. This can only be a guide, as soil conditions, light and shelter all influence growth rates, but it helps to determine how much space plants should be given.
Use the vertical space and plant in tiers
Consider a range of plants with a mix of heights to capitalise on vertical space in a small area and create tiers of planting. Walls or fences can support climbers on trellis or wires, but choose the less-vigorous varieties with an ultimate growth of about 3m (10ft), or they may need constant pruning to keep them contained. Taller, upright shrubs can be planted at intervals in the border, but avoid placing them in a solid line. The gaps can be filled with flowering perennials.
Include a small tree
A small tree is always worthwhile for height as a focal point, or for wildlife. Some larger trees can be cut back regularly. such as box elder (
Acer negundo), eucalyptus and
Robinia pseudoacacia 'Frisia' – but remember to do it regularly or they will soon grow away.
Middle tier
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| Cosmos fills gaps with summer colour
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Alternatively, some mature shrubs, such as the smoke bush (
Cotinus coggygria),
Photinia or mock orange (
Philadelphus), can be pruned to remove lower branches, thus raising the canopy and creating a tree shape. Use tall grasses and medium-sized shrubs for the middle tier, but remember to have a mix of deciduous and evergreen so the view changes over the year. To create peaks of interest, select plants that flower in different seasons or have other qualities, such as ornamental fruits or distinctive foliage. A monthly visit to the garden centre will show what's in season, but remember to continue through the colder months to view plants that look good in winter.
Lower tier
The lower tier of planting can be a mix of hardy perennials, grasses, bulbs and bedding planted in the spaces between the larger plants. When the plants are small the spaces look large, but they will gradually reduce as the planting develops and growth knits together. For short-term gap fillers, try adding fast-growing perennials like
Lavatera, hardy geraniums or
Verbena bonariensis that can be removed easily after two or three years.
Alternatively, the gaps can be filled each summer with fast-growing annuals. Wigwams of sweet peas and tall annuals, such as sunflowers, cosmos, cleome and nicotiana can give bulk, while a tray of bedding such as busy Lizzies or petunias can provide colourful summer ground cover.
*For more on small gardens, makeovers and garden projects, see Related Articles at the bottom of this page.
denotes Subscriber-only content | Wednesday 23 July 2008 | Help | Glossary 
