Big ideas for small spaces
below the canopy, and to make a feature of the stems, which would normally be hidden.
“The creation of these ‘understorey’ planting spaces is particularly useful for short, spring-flowering perennials and bulbs.”
He adds that compact subshrubs – rarely more than a metre in height with a dense, twiggy branching habit and very small leaves – such as Hebe albicans, lavender and silvery Artemisia pontica, are invaluable to gardeners.
“They are compact, mostly evergreen, tolerate difficult conditions and need little maintenance. Many sub-shrubs almost ‘flow’ around obstacles and into gaps. Their shapes are also pleasing, almost calming or cuddly, and it is tempting to use them for the bulk of the garden.”
Use them for ground cover, as edging for paths and the front of borders, and to contrast with other shapes, particularly ornamental grasses.
Herbaceous perennials are now the frequent mainstay of smaller gardens as they are generally compact and can grow cheek by jowl, he adds.
Other good choices include Alchemilla mollis, hardy geraniums and Rudbeckias, while long-lived static perennials which form clumps more slowly, include astilbes, euphorbia and Sedum spectabile.
Design tricks include dividing up your space to form physically different areas.
If your garden isn’t big enough to do that, consider including a couple more places to stop, such as a bench or seat, which allow you to see the garden from different angles and viewpoints.
Detail – it could be a profusion of plants grouped together in containers, mosaic tiles which act as a perfect foil for particular plantings, or even just a standalone architectural plant – can make all the difference.
Narrow paths through planting encourage the visitor to stop and look at plant combinations, while small surprises such as sculptural objects offer a good way to make people stop and look.
However small your garden, there are plants and features you can include to make it a great outside space throughout the seasons.
New Sma l l G a r d e n : Contemporary principles, planting and practice by Noel Kingsbury (left) is published by Frances Lincoln, priced £20.