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Make the Most of Your Small Garden This Summer S ummer! It conjures up great memories of barbecues and garden parties. With Vancouver’s exploding proliferation of condominiums and townhomes, our outdoor spaces are shrinking. So what do you do to maximize your garden or deck’s precious square footage? “I always tell my clients first and foremost to look at their space and figure out its purpose,” says Glenna Partridge, owner of Glenna Partridge Garden Design. “If you want to have your best small garden ever, it starts with the plan in order to achieve a cohesive look.” In the planning stage, the award-winning landscape designer says home owners should ask themselves questions such as: Do we entertain a lot? Or do we just want a quiet little oasis? Or do we love to have lots of casual summertime barbecues? Do we want to grow our own herbs?
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“Once you have your purpose(s) then you divide your space into zones to really maximize the area you have,” adds Partridge.
Glenna’s Small-Garden Ideas A planter with a large plant or tree: Most people think a large tree will make a small garden look even more diminutive, but that isn’t the case. It can provide height and privacy. Vegetable garden: If you love to grow your own vegetables, you certainly aren’t alone. “It’s one of the biggest trends this year,” she says. “You can plant a variety of vegetables to take advantage of the limited space you have by timing your plantings strategically.” Ketchup ‘n’ fries plant: Potatoes and cherry tomatoes in one planter? Yes, says Partridge. “This is a little tomato plant
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grafted on top and underneath you grow a white potato plant.” She cites the reason this works so well is that tomatoes are part of the potato family (who knew?) and are therefore compatible. Growing berries: There are now small raspberry and blueberry bushes that can be grown in smaller containers. Partridge likes to use a salad bowl type of container/pot to grow them in. Groupings: First rule of thumb – you don’t want everything on on e level. “You can use a pot for a pedestal by turning it upside down and placing it on another pot, or use a chair, a table or a variety of container heights to add visual interest. “You also want to limit your colour palette and choice of plants and flowers or your garden will look busy, messy or distracting.” Go vertical: When space is at a premium, go up. Plant on a wall, a trellis or a divider.
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Cover your fence: Covering your fence with different vines offers a privacy barrier. “Although lots of my clients love English ivy, you have to constantly cut it back because it grows so quickly,” says Partridge. “A good one is the Black Eyed Susan, which features beautiful flowers or the Jasmine Ivy … it’s a perennial that grows really quickly.” Upcycle a flea market or vintage item: “When you have a small garden, think outside the box… A Baker’s rack filled with herb pots, an old table, bird cage or a beautiful watering can all double as planters. Unusual items in a small garden add contrast and visual vibrancy.” Add items of interest: Light your tree from below, add faux candles to create a silhouette in your garden, hang weatherproof art work to cozy up a small outdoor room or balcony… all of which add tons of visual interest to a smaller garden.
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