Five ways to make the most of a small space
WHETHER you have a roof terrace, balcony, small back yard or patio, you can still create a dream design, Ula Maria tells Hannah Stephenson:
The former RHS Young Designer of the Year’s new book, Green (published by Mitchell Beazley, £20) offers design ideas for small spaces ....
Merge florals inside with the balcony outside, maybe in the form of a chair covered with a floral material which echoes the flora and fauna
BALCONY GARDEN:
on your balcony. “It’s important to make the transition between inside and outside seem as seamless as possible,” says Ula.
CONTEMPORARY MEDITERRANEAN:
Use materials such as graphic tiles. If you have a busy wall, you may want to play safe with planting, sticking to green rather than going for a eyepopping colour contrast.
“If using busy tiles, keep the planting simple.”
ROMANTIC IDYLL:
layered planting with soft, gentle hues, and use fragrance to create a small romantic space, she suggests.
“Hydrangeas are great because they have these big, soft blooms. Ornamental roses also look brilliant, along with campanula and ivy, to create a fairy tale
garden.”
INTERIOR APPROACH:
by flora and fauna. “There may not be many plants but there should be enough to create a sense of a garden,” says Ula.
Make the most of containers. “Large agapanthus, verbena and rosemary add accent colour, texture and scent and you can even grow a fruit tree in a large pot,” she says. “Plant a mixture of cosmos, lavender, foxgloves and lupins for a joyful look. Experiment with growing herbs, vegetables and fruit in large containers.”
COTTAGE GARDEN: