Nelly writes in asking for some ideas about her small space backyard:
Dear Apartment Therapy and readers, we live in a garden apartment with a very small backyard space. I am looking to create a cozy patio and garden area. Does anyone have advice about creating such a space? There's not too many ideas in regards to this subject...
Our good friends Heseon and John impressed us a few years back with what they did with their narrow garden space, using an overhead trellis for shade and sealed ceramic pots to create a water fountain and garden.
A quick look and we wonder if you'd be served well to pull out the water-thirsty lawn and replace it with some decorative stones and create a path to a small seating area and table. We're thinking it could look something similar to this tropical space, which would work fantastic with a sealed container water fountain garden. Partner it with a solar water pump, and you don't even have to worry about plugging it in!
Other small space garden ideas and inspirations:
I took out the grass in my tiny garden and replaced it with mulch that I got for free. I love it. I put stepping stones in front of my swing for a clean place for my feet and a warm spot for the cat to lie in the sun. I would recommend bark nuggets or ceder as sow bugs/ bally bugs love the mulch I used. Dirt will build up in the gravel and sprout weed. The much breaks down, so which ever is cheaper and easier to replace in your area. I separated the plants from the path with field stones.
No more trying to mow that little patch of grass!
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what you do will really be determined by how much you're willing to spend (I'm assuming it's a rental?). I would definitely pull up the grass (easily done yourself). replace it with mulch, stones, or tiles and an interesting ground cover in some areas. beyond that, get more planters in varying heights and colors and some strong statement plants. if they don't get too big, you can take them with you to your next place (or sell them off and get some of your money back). and make sure you incorporate some kind of seating so you can enjoy your finished space!
check out this landscaper, michael schultz, for inspiration:
http://www.michael-schultz.com/artist.asp?ArtistID=4282&AKey=G4YBGL8X
most of his work is in larger areas, but click on "Hurst", his own garden, for a good example of landscaping smaller spaces.
good luck! share the results!
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Whatever you do, DON'T replace the grass with tiles! The mulch idea is much better and environmentally sound. There are loads of mulch products to choose from, I personally like cocoa bean and coconut shells. The dark colour gives extra shine to your plants (and is cheaper and easier to put in (not unimportant).
Designing a small garden is much the same as designing a small room; don't overcrowd it. The suggestion by foodefafa about getting 1 or 2 big plants in for height and interest is a very good one.
Stick to a very basic colour scheme, no more than 2 or 3 colours. When choosing think about what time of the day you most use the garden: During the day strong colours like vibrant oranges and reds work well as they pop out and can compete with strong sunlight that would drown out lighter colours. When it comes to choice of leaves, go for dark glossy ones (if compatible with your soil type).
After dusk whites and blues (and other pastel colours) work best as they pick up the light of the moon and shine out at you. Leaves: variegated leaves.
Also, add heigt to your garden. A treliss that goes up and over your garden not only adds interest but also shade. But decking at diferent height will fool the eye and make it look bigger than it is. But it can be expensive (find salvaged decking if you can).
Last but not least, if you're allowed and you have a fence round your garden, don't be afraid to add a bold colour. I convinced a friend to paint their's a dark aubergine colour. Adds immediate drama and depth!
Flickr is a great source of inspiration to take a look at what people with similar size gardens have done...
Have fun!
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