135 Garden design Small but Perfectly Formed T


he smaller a garden is the more difficult it is to design. You need to get the most


from every square inch. Each element needs to earn its keep because space is so precious. The most important thing to remember is to keep it simple. Use as few materials as possible in the hard landscaping so that your eye moves seamlessly around. Less really is more. Let the house and garden flow into each other by using similar colours and materials. The boundaries of a small garden can easily dominate or be an eyesore. One of the best solutions is to use fence panels that have simple sawn horizontal slats. This will streamline the garden and make it feel bigger. You could also consider painting them in a dark colour. This may seem a little extreme but will make the background recede. If privacy or external noise


are problems then screening is important. This can be achieved by either using strategically positioned plants in raised beds or by adding a pergola or shade sail. To lessen traffic noise and help create a feeling of calm the sound of gently trickling water works wonders. This needs to be subtle otherwise you will spend rather more time than is necessary rushing to the loo! Wall fountains are good


in small spaces. Another trick is to build in as much


as you can. The low walls of raised beds can be used as seats and you can also include storage which will be at a premium. Consider building a simple outdoor barbecue kitchen to maximize on space. Don’t forget to add some lighting


either. This can have a dramatic effect on how much you will use your garden and will create nocturnal magic. The choice of plants is critical.


Remember that you can go up using vertical planting – climbers are great and the sky is the limit. Over-scaled plants can make the garden seem bigger than lots of little ones. You will need to assess the amount of interest each will give and should probably use a large number of evergreens for winter interest and structure. Include at least one scented plant. Pack every available space with spring bulbs and if you are going to use pots get the biggest ones you can find. With a lot of thought and planning you can create the perfect outdoor room from even the smallest space.


colette@charsleydesign.com www.charsleydesign.com t: 01803 722449 m: 07774 827799 Follow me on Twitter @ColetteCharsley


Professional Landscape and Garden Design


Creative and beautiful designs for village, town and country gardens


Colette Charsley PG Dip OCGD 01803 722449 07774 827799


colette@charsleydesign.com www.charsleydesign.com


by Colette Charsley


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