San Francisco Chronicle - (Sunday)
Think big even when you’re planning small
Nowhere does the phrase “small is beautiful” apply more than to the challenge of creating a distinctive compact garden. This smaller space may already exist as an area separated by paths, natural curves in the yard or perhaps a corner spot. You can also create this singular location by using terracing or existing steps to enhance elevation changes, employing a fountain or pergola to define the surrounding space or by utilizing decorative pots. Small gardens can be as tiny as 2 feet by 2 feet, or as large as the space you have to work with. Here are a few ideas for miniature marvels.
Fragrant garden. Although it’s fun to scatter fragrant plants around the garden, creating a condensed olfactory garden has its own charm. This could include sweet somethings like midnight candy (Zaluzianskya), mock oranges (Philadelphus or Choisya), dwarf butterfly bush (Buddleja Buzz series or Ellen’s Blue) or white heliotrope. It might also feature herbal delights such as lavender, Cuban oregano (Plectranthus ‘Benth’) or fun mints such as apple, pineapple, mojito or chocolate.
Dry gulch. Dry gardens are all the rage these days, and this evocative garden starts with a variety of small stones — pulverized pieces of terra-cotta or ceramic pottery, even small pieces of tumbled glass — to create the dry riverbed itself. Create a subtle elevation change and a curving direction, both meant to suggest a dried-up creek bed. Start with the prominent denizens: two to four larger aloes, agaves, echeverias or yuccas. Tiny succulents might include small sedums, dwarf aloes, tiny cacti, even the curious baby toes. Pieces of the Old West (farm tools, a wagon wheel) can be added for effect. Child’s garden. A bit of whimsy and some art are perfect complements for this garden. Most kids love friendly insects, and butterflies are a favorite for nearly every child. So even as winter approaches, plan ahead: For the coming season, favorite butterfly food sources include African daisies, calendula, rudbeckias and yarrow. Invoke the sense of touch with the “dried” flowers of statice or the furry lamb’s ear. Make sure to include a few curiosity plants such as Asclepias physocarpa, the so-called Family Jewels bush, for that quirky, fun aspect.
Water feature. This evocative feature could be a small pond you make yourself using a liner, a bubbling gravel fountain, or a large raised fountain. A friend of mine set up a water feature area with descending pools, densely planted and with little aquatic touches such as ceramic frogs and salamanders. There is no limit to one’s imagination, but here are three crucial decisions to make: Will the water be stationary or moving? Will there be fish involved? Will you use terrestrial or aquatic plants — or both? Tropical paradise. Note that this type of garden is limited to those in zones 8 or higher. Start with some beautiful and durable foliage plants such as cannas, gingers, hardy ornamental bananas, birds of paradise or elephant ears. You might add a smaller clumping bamboo like Golden Goddess. Supplement with colorful annual foliage. Even broad-leaf ferns such as Hart’s Tongue, Blue Bear’s Paw or Bird’s Nest work well in this environment.