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Before & After: A Small Garden Gets a Clever, Easy-Care Makeover
See how a gardening expert designed a delightful, low-maintenance space for a client with limited mobility to enjoy
In a Q&A format, we talk to the designers – and examine the creative thinking – behind some of Houzz’s most loveable spaces.
The garden before works
Brief
To create an easy-care alfresco area for a client with limited mobility to relax, entertain and spend time with her family.
Brief
To create an easy-care alfresco area for a client with limited mobility to relax, entertain and spend time with her family.
Starting point
Sourcing low-maintenance plants so the client could spend more time enjoying the garden rather than working on it.
It was also important to choose durable and good-looking planters, outdoor furniture and accessories to make the space inviting.
Sourcing low-maintenance plants so the client could spend more time enjoying the garden rather than working on it.
It was also important to choose durable and good-looking planters, outdoor furniture and accessories to make the space inviting.
The garden before works
Thinking behind the planting design
In a low-maintenance garden it’s important to choose the right plants for the right spots to maximise growth and minimise upkeep.
We positioned hardy shade lovers such as Heuchera, Nandina and Lamium in shadowy nooks. We balanced these out with sun-loving succulents in bright areas.
Robust beauties such as Leucospermum and shrubs with brightly hued foliage, including Japanese maples and Cercis, were planted in big pots to add a splash of colour. Leucospermum provides stunning spring flowers, while Japanese maples turn sunset shades in the autumn. Cercis is great for small gardens as it provides summer shade, autumn foliage colour and spectacular spring flowers.
We planted fast-growing ornamental pears – Pyrus ‘Capital’ – around the edges of the yard. These grow tall and narrow with dense foliage so they will block out the neighbours and provide shade without overwhelming the small garden (plus they’re disease-resistant).
Thinking behind the planting design
In a low-maintenance garden it’s important to choose the right plants for the right spots to maximise growth and minimise upkeep.
We positioned hardy shade lovers such as Heuchera, Nandina and Lamium in shadowy nooks. We balanced these out with sun-loving succulents in bright areas.
Robust beauties such as Leucospermum and shrubs with brightly hued foliage, including Japanese maples and Cercis, were planted in big pots to add a splash of colour. Leucospermum provides stunning spring flowers, while Japanese maples turn sunset shades in the autumn. Cercis is great for small gardens as it provides summer shade, autumn foliage colour and spectacular spring flowers.
We planted fast-growing ornamental pears – Pyrus ‘Capital’ – around the edges of the yard. These grow tall and narrow with dense foliage so they will block out the neighbours and provide shade without overwhelming the small garden (plus they’re disease-resistant).
Plant palette
- Cercis
- Grasses
- Heuchera
- Japanese maples
- Lamium
- Leucospermum
- Loropetalum ‘Plum Gorgeous’
- Nandina
- Succulents
The garden before works
Cutting down the lawn area
Reducing the amount of lawn in the client’s garden meant less upkeep was required. We reduced a portion of the lawn by installing an outdoor patio laid with Tuscan Path’s porcelain pavers in Sand, which are durable, low-maintenance and don’t require sealing. This created an easy-care, stain-resistant surface with a high anti-slip rating.
In other areas, we replaced the existing turf with Sir Walter Buffalo grass, which is tough, hard-wearing, low-maintenance and drought-tolerant. Having this green area gives the owner’s child a small but appealing spot to play in.
Reducing the amount of lawn in the client’s garden meant less upkeep was required. We reduced a portion of the lawn by installing an outdoor patio laid with Tuscan Path’s porcelain pavers in Sand, which are durable, low-maintenance and don’t require sealing. This created an easy-care, stain-resistant surface with a high anti-slip rating.
In other areas, we replaced the existing turf with Sir Walter Buffalo grass, which is tough, hard-wearing, low-maintenance and drought-tolerant. Having this green area gives the owner’s child a small but appealing spot to play in.
The garden before works
Thinking behind the decorative elements
All areas of the home – inside and out – benefit from having a focal point. It creates a sense of purpose in a space and draws the eye. We added a freestanding, oxidised steel fire pit (Aurora fire pit from Glow Outdoor) to the patio area; it has a striking appearance, was easy to install and will be simple for the clients to operate and clean.
All areas of the home – inside and out – benefit from having a focal point. It creates a sense of purpose in a space and draws the eye. We added a freestanding, oxidised steel fire pit (Aurora fire pit from Glow Outdoor) to the patio area; it has a striking appearance, was easy to install and will be simple for the clients to operate and clean.
The garden before works
We installed decorative garden screens in weathering steel (Geo Screen from Tuscan Path) to hide the unsightly views beyond and boost privacy. Screens offer a low-cost, low-effort alternative to remodelling or planting extra shrubbery, and they add a touch of decorative interest.
Thinking behind the planters
We selected light-coloured pots (Northcote Pottery’s Precinct Lite Terrazzo Egg pots) to better deflect sunlight and reduce heat absorption so the soil doesn’t dry out or heat up as quickly, which reduces the amount of watering required. These ones are made from fibreclay, which is sturdy and lightweight so the client can easily move them around.
We used pots in different sizes but all are from the same range for a unified look and to accommodate different plant species.
We selected light-coloured pots (Northcote Pottery’s Precinct Lite Terrazzo Egg pots) to better deflect sunlight and reduce heat absorption so the soil doesn’t dry out or heat up as quickly, which reduces the amount of watering required. These ones are made from fibreclay, which is sturdy and lightweight so the client can easily move them around.
We used pots in different sizes but all are from the same range for a unified look and to accommodate different plant species.
Water-saving measures
We added water-storing crystals prior to potting mix in order to significantly reduce the need for regular watering. The crystals absorb and retain moisture, then gradually release water to the plants as they need it.
If you’re doing this in your own garden, I’d recommend applying a wetting agent to the potting mix to ensure that water can soak deep into the root zone where it’s needed most.
We added water-storing crystals prior to potting mix in order to significantly reduce the need for regular watering. The crystals absorb and retain moisture, then gradually release water to the plants as they need it.
If you’re doing this in your own garden, I’d recommend applying a wetting agent to the potting mix to ensure that water can soak deep into the root zone where it’s needed most.
Adding height
Growing the height of the garden was key to transforming its look and feel. Also, in a small garden, it’s always important to make the most of vertical space.
We placed trees and shrubs in varying sizes around the perimeter of the yard to create layered lushness and to add depth. We also planted ornamental grape vines in large troughs to climb the bordering fences.
In the paved areas, we introduced height by planting small decorative trees such as Japanese maples and Cercis in extra-large terrazzo pots.
Growing the height of the garden was key to transforming its look and feel. Also, in a small garden, it’s always important to make the most of vertical space.
We placed trees and shrubs in varying sizes around the perimeter of the yard to create layered lushness and to add depth. We also planted ornamental grape vines in large troughs to climb the bordering fences.
In the paved areas, we introduced height by planting small decorative trees such as Japanese maples and Cercis in extra-large terrazzo pots.
Melissa’s small garden tips
- Don’t cram too much into a small space. Think about what you really want from your backyard and set priorities. In this client’s case, low maintenance was a priority and she also wanted a fire pit that would enable her to enjoy the garden year-round.
- Creating different outdoor ‘rooms’ can make a small garden feel bigger. In this garden, we used mixed materials to add visual interest and create a journey through the garden.
- Curved lines create a sense of movement and give the illusion of more space. We used Cyclone galvanised garden edging to accentuate the curved garden beds and create a crisp, clean edge between the beds and turf or paved areas.
Owner Natasha Robinson’s comments
I find caring for plants to be life-giving, both indoors and outside. The new design increases that joy as there is so much more beauty in it – and so many more plants!
The low-maintenance garden gives us peace of mind as we know it will continue to flourish even when health and life means neither of us are able to give it much love for a period of time. Weeds are minimal and, once established, the water use will be low (also a plus environmentally). Removing the step from the back door also made the space more accessible.
There is so much to love here. However, my partner and I both agree that the fire pit is the crowning glory of our new garden – it is beautiful to look at and fun to use.
I find caring for plants to be life-giving, both indoors and outside. The new design increases that joy as there is so much more beauty in it – and so many more plants!
The low-maintenance garden gives us peace of mind as we know it will continue to flourish even when health and life means neither of us are able to give it much love for a period of time. Weeds are minimal and, once established, the water use will be low (also a plus environmentally). Removing the step from the back door also made the space more accessible.
There is so much to love here. However, my partner and I both agree that the fire pit is the crowning glory of our new garden – it is beautiful to look at and fun to use.
Your turn
What impresses you the most about this garden? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, like and save this story, and join the conversation.
More
Take a look at last week’s Before & After: How a Bedhead Led a Classic Bedroom Makeover
What impresses you the most about this garden? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, like and save this story, and join the conversation.
More
Take a look at last week’s Before & After: How a Bedhead Led a Classic Bedroom Makeover
Sponsored
Who lives here: Natasha Robinson, her partner and young child
Location: Camberwell, Victoria
Garden size: Approximately 40 square metres
Budget: Around $7k