Do you have a petite backyard and you aren’t sure what your landscaping options may be? The good news is – you have options!
Go Vertical
Use pots or plants for vertical growth, like espalier shrubs, or creeping vines like clematis, climbing hydrangeas, bougainvillea or climbing roses.
An espalier is a fruit tree or ornamental shrub whose branches are trained to grow flat against a wall, supported on a lattice or a framework of stakes.
Almost any woody ornamental plant can be espaliered over time but this is typically a labor-intensive process. As a result, there is usually a higher price tag on espaliered plants when purchasing them from a plant nursery.
If you’re looking for a space-efficient vegetable garden, there are a variety of “vertical garden” kits on the market.
A Plethora of Pots
Use a mix of different shapes and sizes of pots to add pops of color without taking up too much space. For extra variety, make a point to vary the heights. Pots can be planted with all different types of plant material depending on the size of your pot.
Flower Power – How to make the most impact in a small area
“Some of my favorite blooms to use have bright and vibrant leaf colors or flower colors,” explained Abigail Tilley, our design division manager. “My personal favorite scenario is mixing both the dark purple and lime green sweet potato vines as a “spiller,” with bubblegum pink petunias, and a bright-colored coleus variety in the center. For some good texture, add a small ornamental grass, like purple fountain grass.”
If you’d like upright plantings to place in tight spaces, consider ‘Autumn Rocket’ Camellias or Emerald Arborvitae.
Grass or Patio?
The grass vs. patio decision heavily depends on your expected use of the space. If you have a limited space and you have a dog or children that need a lawn to run and play on, then prioritizing grass in a small space is important. But if having a lawn isn’t as important as entertaining outdoors with family and friends, consider the opportunity for a patio.
Bladen Street Case Study
A downtown backyard project we completed is a great example of how to add flowerpots to your space to make it more inviting and interesting. After adding a nice-sized patio, we were left with a smaller yard area but still needed a plant solution to offer privacy. As a downtown residence, the family has neighbors with an open view on all three sides of their backyard. After considering various options, we utilized a few different varieties of privacy plants that tend to grow upright without stretching very wide.
Pots in small spaces
