The Challenge of Gardening in Small Spaces

Gardening doesn't have to mean expansive spaces. With the array of plants and hardscape options available today, anyone can cultivate their green thumb. Whether you live in the city with a small space at your disposal or in the suburbs with a scaled down yard you can make the most of the space you have and end up feeling like you've created a masterpiece. You can incorporate various ideas to make the most of the space you have. A small garden has advantages over their larger counterparts. They're cozy, inviting, and can be an additional outdoor 'room' that serves as an extension of your living space. They can reflect your current style or allow you to explore new ideas.

Choosing Plants for the Small Garden

These days there are many varieties of small plants and dwarf cultivars that make the most of scaled down yards. If you like roses but think you don't have the space to grow them, think again. Miniature roses are every bit as beautiful as their full size cousins but give you nonstop blooms with less pest and disease problems. What's not to love about that? Dwarf daylilies such as Stella D'Oro love full sun, bloom for months, and take up less space then their predecessors.

There are small leafed hostas that thrive in shady areas. Many ornamental grasses come in dwarf varieties and add texture and movement as well as sound. Dwarf fountain grass and liriope are two favorites that love full sun and thrive in dry conditions. There are small scale plants that do double duty as ground-covers like forget-me-nots, which add a bit of color, and herbs such as variegated lemon thyme which add color and a pleasing fragrance, and various sedum that tolerate drought and add color and texture as well. If you have your heart set on an old favorite like zinnias, try the 'thumbelina' types, which are smaller but no less showy.

Options to Consider

When you don't have the option to spread out, don't forget to look 'up'. Adding height in a small space creates the illusion that the area is larger then it seems. It gives the feeling of spaciousness because the eye travels to take in the various levels. There are numerous ways to achieve this effect. If you have a fence surrounding your space, by all means utilize it. It's the perfect place to showcase hanging baskets and garden art.

You can attach a small trellis and grow vines.

You can add miniature lights around the top edge to highlight your garden at night.

You can create a vignette of 'theme' items such as plaques with gardening inspired quotes, or a

collection of bird houses.

You can hang windchimes or small bird baths from wrought iron plant hooks and both are

functional as well as fun.

You can use a sundial on a stand to add height in an area where you might not have any.

You can use an old Victorian favorite, the gazing ball. They reflect the garden and give a

feeling of spaciousness much like a mirror will inside. They come in different sizes and colors

so it's easy to find one that's in proportion with your garden space.