Having a small yard does not prevent you from having a beautiful outdoor space and in some ways small gardens are easier to design than large ones. They generally usually have a distinct shape and well defined edges. You’re basically working within a confined area and are able to design, in detail, every part of the entire space.
Determine what your garden will be used for. Determine if your garden will be used for planting herbs and flowers, as a place for people to congregate or relaxation. Small gardens and courtyards which are to be used as gathering spaces should provide seating & paths as well as plants. Low free standing or retaining walls are great features for a small garden as they can define the edge of the garden and if the right height, provide seating. Creating raised beds with multiple levels can also add seating to the garden.
Also determine if your garden is to be formal or informal. A courtyard adjacent to a house can be viewed as an extension of the architecture, and provides a great opportunity to design a formal space. The garden could be used as an outdoor room where people can congregate.
Gardens which are designed with curving lines generally have a more informal feel. Using curving lines and shapes adds a sense of flow and movement to the space. You can incorporate curves into your garden by creating a path which curves through the garden by planning curvilinear planting beds.
Be sure to select plants that are appropriate for your site conditions. As with any garden design be sure to choose plants which are attractive year round. This means selecting plants with interesting form, colorful bark, berries and vibrant fall foliage. Deciduous trees and shrubs offer colorful fall foliage and many form red, blue or purple berries in the fall which last through the winter. Also, consider using trees and shrubs with interesting, colorful bark, such as ironwood (Carpinus caroliniana) or red twig dogwood (Cornus sericea). Avoid any plants that may, over time, out grow the space and depending on the size of the garden limit yourself to one small tree, such as a Japanese maple (Acer palmatum). This will provide some light shade and to serve as an accent.
Plant color is extremely important in the small garden since colors have an effect on how a space is perceived. Darker colored plants contrasted with light colored plants create focal points and juxtaposition in a planting composition.
The colors of foliage, flowers, fruit and bark can be used to create feelings of coolness and warmth. It can also shape the visual dimension of a garden. Cool colors, such as blue and purple, recede and can make a small garden space seem larger than it is. The opposite is true of warm colors which create a sense of intimacy in the garden. Though flower colors are important, shades green are the dominate color the landscape. Choose a variety of greens rather than a uniform shade of green.
Planters are a great way to add color and fragrance to a small garden. Just about any plant including some small trees, can be used in a planter. The planters are a wonderful decorative element and which can act as an accent in the garden.
There are advantages to small gardens and with some forethought and creativity, a small outdoor space can be transformed into a beautiful garden.
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