Creating Small Gardens with that Big Garden Look and Feel

Learn How to Add Depth and Dimension as well as Shapes and Colors to Small Gardens in Order to Create the Illusion of a Larger Garden.

Small gardens demand special attention in terms of specific types of plants. Your overall goal should be to create a small garden that has a large feel about it. Plant shapes, colors and sizes all play an important role in creating an impression of a larger more spacious garden than what really exists. It is best to use only two to three overall colors and try to use the same shade within the colors selected. A common mistake when establishing small gardens is not having an overall proportion from plant to plant. This does not mean that small gardens are restricted to small plants. It means you need to stay with in the boundaries of the space you have to work with. As an example, if you live in a group of tall apartment buildings your small garden will be surrounded by tall walls or other structures. In this case, using a series of small trees or shrubs as a background to your garden will work well.

It is also best to consider using the same plant, tree and shrub varieties in order not to overwhelm the look of small gardens. Using many varieties make small gardens to busy. Therefore, the trick is to use similar plant varieties to create that lush garden look and feel. In other words, plant the same “species” of plants, tree and shrubs instead of a number of different “types” of the plants, trees and shrubs. Another technique for planting in small gardens is to place the darkest colors and highest textured plants in the foreground and then place lighter colors and textures in the background. This will create an illusion of depth which is needed by most small gardens. In other words, darker plants that are small in stature should be in front and larger lighter plants in the back.

Another element to consider with small gardens is to add dimension whenever possible. A small garden is normally confined to straight lines, straight borders, straight beds as well as straight walkways. When you view small gardens that have been designed mostly of straight lines, you can see the whole garden in just one glance. This makes the small garden look cramped, uninteresting and confined. Planting a small garden that winds and curves its way through an area will make the garden unravel and naturally look and feel larger. A winding flower bed, a curved brick vegetable area or a plant lined walkway will add that ingredient of dimension as well as the look and feel of more open spaces. In addition, adding layers or levels to small gardens is an additional technique to adding depth. With multiple levels you can add various themes all in one area with each level or layer presenting a different theme. You can not only add dimension and depth to small gardens but also give them some texture as well by adding wood and rock in and around retaining walls and walkways.

Making small gardens more appealing to you and your guests is also fairly simply. This may be accomplished by adding garden accents or garden décor throughout the garden area. For example, you can plant one color or shape of plants all in one area or use decorative rocks and wood fixtures to create a colleague effect. Also, displaying a small fountain or rock water fall in the background will help to give a small garden an uncluttered look. It is important when using garden accents and décor to keep all elements of the same type or of a related theme. Each element of décor will compliment the other and thus keep the small garden from looking too cluttered

The ingredients of small garden design are endless. From shapes, colors and size to textures, dimensions and depth all factors come into play. Normally when you read about garden design it is related to a garden that covers acres of land. However, as you have just seen small gardens are not as limiting as one may have thought. Some advantages of small gardens are that you have more control over the details as well as less maintenance and still receive the enjoyment and relaxation that a garden brings.

The Complete Grape Growing System!
A complete system with e-book and audio book to help you grow grapes the correct way… Read More

Tagged as: garden, garden accents, garden decor, gardens, small garden, small gardens