3 Ways to Make Your Small Garden Lovely and Lush
An expert reveals smart ways to improve your small plot or apartment balcony garden and make it seem larger than it is
As Australia’s capital city populations continue to increase, we are seeing growing numbers of people embracing balcony gardens and smaller outdoor solutions. There are plenty of ways to work with balconies and limited spaces, not only to make them feel bigger, but to also ensure you get everything you want out of these spaces – whether it’s lounging, eating, entertaining or barbecuing. It’s all about smart landscape design and working creatively to maximise and visually expand the space.
I’m also seeing many more homeowners partitioning off areas and using retaining walls to double as storage or bench seating – especially on balcony spaces. Depending on the property, you can also play with levelling and break up the space into different zones, which will help make your outdoor area feel more expansive and easily serve different purposes.
Struggling to plan your small garden? Find a landscape designer near you on Houzz to maximise your outdoor space
Struggling to plan your small garden? Find a landscape designer near you on Houzz to maximise your outdoor space
For instance, on a balcony, you could introduce a small outdoor kitchen, a raised or sunken garden bed or a little hidden garden nook with seating.
Break Through City Limits With Creative Outdoor Zones
Break Through City Limits With Creative Outdoor Zones
2. Vertical gardens
Vertical gardens provide height without encroaching on space. It is for this very reason that we’re seeing a consistent increase in the popularity of vertical gardens in small outdoor areas and balcony spaces.
There are numerous ways to create a vertical garden – from hanging pots and baskets, through to pallet planters and trellis planter holders. If you’re a renter considering a balcony garden, I’d always recommend checking with your strata committee, body corporate and property manager or landlord before starting the process as there may be weight and/or lease restrictions you need to factor in.
Vertical gardens provide height without encroaching on space. It is for this very reason that we’re seeing a consistent increase in the popularity of vertical gardens in small outdoor areas and balcony spaces.
There are numerous ways to create a vertical garden – from hanging pots and baskets, through to pallet planters and trellis planter holders. If you’re a renter considering a balcony garden, I’d always recommend checking with your strata committee, body corporate and property manager or landlord before starting the process as there may be weight and/or lease restrictions you need to factor in.
You’ll also need to consider factors such as sunlight and wind when determining what planting structures and varieties to introduce into a vertical balcony garden.
If your balcony is naturally very windy, you might consider installing a trellis with a tough climber to create a windbreak. It would also be wise to plant using heavier pots so the plants don’t blow over, and you’ll need to regularly water container plants to prevent them from drying out.
If you’re working with a vertical garden, position the plants that need the most sun at the top and the plants that need the most shade at the bottom.
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If you’re working with a vertical garden, position the plants that need the most sun at the top and the plants that need the most shade at the bottom.
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3. Upright plants and dwarf varieties
The likes of Heliconias or plants that grow a little more upright such as cactuses are becoming a go-to for more and more green thumbs who have small plots and balcony gardens.
Cactuses and succulents are very popular at the moment and can grow very large, so they can work perfectly as a bold feature plant in a small space.
Plan a Garden That Can Move House With You
The likes of Heliconias or plants that grow a little more upright such as cactuses are becoming a go-to for more and more green thumbs who have small plots and balcony gardens.
Cactuses and succulents are very popular at the moment and can grow very large, so they can work perfectly as a bold feature plant in a small space.
Plan a Garden That Can Move House With You
Dracaena draco or dragon trees are another super hardy option and they’re also slow growers, so they keep their form for a long time – and are thus very popular.
If you’ve got very limited space and you want to create impact, get an oversize pot that creates the drama, then put a Dracaena draco in it and you’ll have a statement look that lasts for a long period of time.
Dwarf versions of plants are also fast increasing in popularity. For example, the Little Ruby Alternanthera hedge, which is a much-loved dark burgundy spreading ground cover and landscape plant.
If you’ve got very limited space and you want to create impact, get an oversize pot that creates the drama, then put a Dracaena draco in it and you’ll have a statement look that lasts for a long period of time.
Dwarf versions of plants are also fast increasing in popularity. For example, the Little Ruby Alternanthera hedge, which is a much-loved dark burgundy spreading ground cover and landscape plant.
Choosing dwarf versions of plants can be great because you can still maximise impact in a small space, but you won’t have to spend much time trimming and cutting back plants to keep them compact.
Your turn
Do you have a modest-sized garden or live in an apartment? Tell us how you’ve made the space look large and lush in the Comments below. And remember to like this story, save the images for inspiration and join the conversation.
More
Need more garden inspiration? Read 10 Ways to Create a Romantic Garden
Your turn
Do you have a modest-sized garden or live in an apartment? Tell us how you’ve made the space look large and lush in the Comments below. And remember to like this story, save the images for inspiration and join the conversation.
More
Need more garden inspiration? Read 10 Ways to Create a Romantic Garden
There are several things you can do from a design perspective to expand the look and feel of a space. If, for example, you’re working with a long thin courtyard, I’d recommend breaking up the visuals leading out into the space so the entire space isn’t revealed as soon as you open the door. More and more property owners are achieving this by angling their decking or changing up their paving patterns to draw the eye to a different spot in their small garden spaces.