10 Garden Design Ideas For Small Gardens
No space is too small to have a garden or create an outdoor picture. Here are ways you can add plants or interest to your balcony, courtyard or porch.
Idea 1: A statement standalone pot or pot cluster
Just one plant in a stylish pot can be a focal point or bring seasonal interest to small gardens. If there’s room for one pot there may be room for a pot cluster. To create a ‘cluster’ arrange several pots together. Use pots that match each other (in shape, colour or texture) but are of different sizes or place pots that are the same size at different heights to create extra interest. Click here to shop Sydney's widest range of outdoor pots.
Idea 2: Hanging plants and pots
Where space on the ground is limited, look up. There may be room to hang a pot (or more than one) from above, or place half baskets on a wall. Trailing plants often look fantastic in small gardens when elevated in a hanging basket. Make sure you can water and tend the plants with ease and that there is a strong support. A hanging basket with a large plant and wet potting mix can be weighty! Click here to shop wire hanging and wall baskets.
Idea 3: Vertical garden systems
Invest in a growing system such as a VersiWall that allows you to grow plants against a wall (as a living picture) or as a self contained unit that occupies very little space. Plant a green wall or, if it is a sunny spot, grow herbs or small vegetables in a vertical system. Click here to shop Flower Power's range of vertical garden systems, which are made for small gardens and spaces.
Idea 4: Troughs
These rectangular-shaped pots can be used on wide ledges or against a wall to grow a mini hedge, a display of colourful plants, or a small edible garden of vegetables or herbs. For design impact, use the largest that can be accommodated. Use matching troughs and repeat planting. Click here to browse Flower Power's range of troughs.
Idea 5: Trellis/espalier
Train a plant to grow vertically by placing trellis behind a large pot or trough. Alternatively, stretch horizontal wires across the space. Use the support to grow a climbing plant or train a shrub so its branches grow horizontally. Sasanqua camellias and lemon trees are two of many options for espalier in small gardens. Flower Power has a range of plants that have already been trained into an espaliered form - click here to shop.
Idea 6: Small outdoor settings and hanging chairs
As well as putting some plants in your small outdoor space, add a compact outdoor setting or a hanging chair to furnish your outdoor room. As well as considering the size of the outdoor furniture, assess its durability, weight and comfort. Discover a great range of compact outdoor settings for balconies and courtyards at your nearest Flower Power garden centre, or click here to shop.
Idea 7: Using repetition
Where space is tight, limit variety. Instead of trying to have one of everything, select a small but interesting suite of plants that suit your aspect (amount of sun and shade) and taste. For example a succulent collection, a colour theme for flowers and foliage, or a lush selection of foliage plants are just three simple planting schemes that make the most of small gardens.
Idea 8: Plant stands
Use a plant stand to display pots at different heights. This is a good way to get impact from smaller pots or plants or display a plant collection. Regularly update the plantings to keep the look fresh and seasonal. Flower Power's FP Collection Arlo Plant Stands are suitable for undercover outdoor use.
Idea 9: Creating levels
In the garden we create levels of planting from groundcovers to shrubs to trees. Create this in a small garden bed, pot or potted collection with a small tree or shrub grown as a standard that is under-planted with low-growing plants. Add hanging or spilling plants to trail down the side of the pot for yet another layer.
Idea 10: Add a small or wall-mounted water feature
As well as using vertical space for planting, these spaces can also be for decorative features from artwork to a small fountain or outdoor mirror. Use a wall feature as a focal point or to enjoy from indoors by positioning it opposite a window. Click here to shop Flower Power's range of water features.
If you want personal advice for your garden however small, pop in to any one of our 10 Sydney garden centres and have a chat with one of our friendly garden people! If you want a professional to create a planting plan, get in contact with our Garden Design Service, and for inspiration check out Sydney's widest range of outdoor pots in-store or online.