Warm colors like red and yellow bring energy, while cool colors like blue and green create a sense of calm. Neutral colors like white and gray can be used as transitions or stand-alone schemes. Value and intensity also play a role, with lighter and darker shades creating contrast. Pair roses with other plants in complementary hues to create drama and contrast. A gold-colored rose such as Oso Easy Lemon Zest® would pair well with Rapido Blue Carpathian bellflower or ‘Violet Profusion’ salvia. It all depends on the existing pH of your soil and the kinds of plants you want to grow.
The types of garden greens range from the tops of edible roots like turnips and beets, to ornamental plants like kale and chard. Growing greens is easy and increases the diversity in your diet. Self-watering containers are a lot more forgiving than terracotta flower pots, which tend to dry out quickly. Vertical elements, such as living wall ideas, will make a garden design fuller, as will the hardscaping materials you choose. Think, too, about structures such as pergolas, and focal points, such as groups of containers and garden sculptures.
Start small, and make sure to give each plant enough room to grow. The seeds and transplants are tiny, but full grown plants can get huge. A small, well-tended garden can produce as much or more than a large, poorly tended garden.
Both structures and planting, and sometimes a combination of the two, can introduce shade that makes the garden and surrounding yard more enjoyable. Because of their aspect, some gardens are naturally shady, and will therefore require plants that thrive in such conditions. Although, you’ll really want to do your homework around north-facing gardens to get the balance of shade and sun just right. If you want to know how to make a small garden look bigger, divide it into separate zones, which will give the illusion of a larger space. Use verticals such as tall, narrow trees, pergolas, and green walls, too, which can distract from boundaries and give the eye plenty to appreciate. For a modern garden, porcelain and natural limestone patio ideas work well, along with concrete, metal and wood. More traditional gardens could mix stone, brick and gravel with wood, for example.
Leaves are a great filler that breaks down into rich compost and soil over time — and in the fall, you can get them for free anywhere you see a neighbor raking their yard. During winter your garden and yard might be out of sight, either dead or under a blanket of snow, but spring will come again and everything will be in bloom once more.
Enjoy your garden!
Foliage-covered fences and walls can act as a handy barrier to exterior noise, which is particularly useful in city gardens. Plant climbers such as fragrant jasmine in raised beds next to your fence and encourage them to spread out, creating a living wall effect.
Types of Garden Greens
Within the garden beds, place plants in rows or a grid pattern. You only add fertilizer and soil amendments to the planting area, which saves time and money.
Topsoil is made up of organic material like leaves that have broken down to create a nutrient-rich substance for plants to grow in. If I were to have enough sun in my garden to grow a patch of New England aster (Aster nove-angliae), I’d chop those puppies down as soon as the last flowers faded. The summer fungal dieback of the aster’s lower leaves comes entirely from fungal spores that splash up from the ground onto new shoot growth.
Chic decking doesn’t have to be reserved for outdoor living spaces; it also makes fabulous pathways. This narrow stretch above follows the exterior of the house, and is lined with vivid-green euphorbia and spiky grasses for a structural vibe. Opt for a design where the top of the bench seat can be lifted up to reveal a large storage compartment, perfect for keeping all your cushions and throws in. Your soil test should tell you exactly how much (if any) lime to add to your soil.
Our best trees for small gardens guide has plenty more options you could try. The decking gives the space a more permanent feel, as though it’s an extension of the home, which is enhanced by the shelves on the rear wall. Add some bright bunting and color pop cushions for some fun and flair.
