A small space can have a vista, but more often than not your viewpoints are contained in a finite space. A meandering walkway, a lovely perennial garden, a small water feature, a special sculpture, etc., must be implemented well since you are not led elsewhere in the garden.
But small spaces can also be little areas within a larger landscape. Some examples are a peaceful sitting area, a small pond tucked into a small area, a "surprise" area as you walk through the woods, or a private retreat.
This pond (below) is in a backyard which does not go much beyond the extent of the photo.
Small property waterfall and pond
Here is a tiny corner (below) tucked away in a larger landscape. A wide pathway leads to the bench for quiet contemplation.
Small space within the larger landscape
I'm going to go to a total fantasy place. I am going to imagine a small cottage on top of a hill. The backyard opens up to the view of rolling hills beyond. Small houses may dot the landscape…perhaps some sheep or cows. You are still in small space but somehow it looks huge due to the view beyond, or the phrase "borrowed view". The picture below, although a little different from the one in my imagination, is a very real project. The property is very small. Yet by leading the walkway through those majestic old trees a view appears, totally changing the look of this small garden space.
Small space with a view beyond
If you have an open view you may leave it totally open or you may screen off part of it to just allow a peek through. Often homeowners are so concerned with privacy, that they don't realize they are closing off an area with a great view that actually makes their property seem larger than it is. Do some filtered screening here and there to create some enclosure such as groups of deciduous shrubs or trees.
One last thing about small spaces. In a small space you can take advantageous of using plants that require one to be close to appreciate its features. An example of this is a Butterfly Bush with dark purple flowers. If this plant was placed far away in the landscape, the beauty of the flowers would be hard to see. However, in a small garden, you can place it so that it is near the patio or walkway. The same holds true for other garden features such as small sculptures, birdbaths, etc.
Please see what other members of the Garden Designers Roundtable have written about small spaces!
One last thing about small spaces. In a small space you can take advantageous of using plants that require one to be close to appreciate its features. An example of this is a Butterfly Bush with dark purple flowers. If this plant was placed far away in the landscape, the beauty of the flowers would be hard to see. However, in a small garden, you can place it so that it is near the patio or walkway. The same holds true for other garden features such as small sculptures, birdbaths, etc.
Please see what other members of the Garden Designers Roundtable have written about small spaces!
Carolyn Gail Choi : Sweet Home and Garden Chicago : Chicao IL
Jenny Petersen: J Petersen Garden Design : Austin TX
Laura Livengood Schaub : Interleafings : San Jose, CA
Lesley Hegarty & Robert Webber : Hegarty Webber Partnership : Bristol, UK
Shirley Bovshow : Eden Makers : Los Angeles, CA
Susan Morrison : Blue Planet Garden Blog : East Bay, CA
Tara Dillard : TaraDillard.com : Atlanta, GA
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14 comments:
Great examples of small space gardens. I especially like the "view" garden. With a view, small yards extend themselves beyond. I always look for hidden views that can be developed by trimming back trees or tall hedges that obscure something special behind it.
Shirley Bovshow
Susan, I like your reminder about using plants with exceptional characteristics; their proximity in a small space makes them especially easy to enjoy.
Good tip on incorporating the borrowed view to make a space live larger. That's a natural for a rural landscape, especially.
You're absolutely correct about creating small spaces within larger ones and I love your example of the borrowed view - that little cottage is beautiful with no fencing around it.
Hey Susan--great reminder about using plants that you can appreciate up close and personal! Small spaces are a wonderful opportunity to showcase some of those cool plants that might not show as well in a larger landscape. Thanks!
Oh yes, 'small space with a view' love that; the bigger the view the more appealing the spot that anchors us as the viewer; nicely done!
Your photo of the pond is very like my mother's back yard. When she decided to add it, I wondered if it would be too big and overwhelm the space, but it's beautiful! It's the first thing everyone is drawn to when they enter her back yard.
Fantastic ideas for small gardens, Susan. Plants in a small space do indeed have to be special as they have to play a very important role.
I'm still imagining that fantasy place - sounds gorgeous, doesn't it? A lot of our projects are based out in the country, so we are always thinking about incorporating 'the wider landscape'. Thanks for sharing your helpful thoughts. Cheers, Lesley and Robert
I'm still imagining that fantasy place - sounds gorgeous, doesn't it? A lot of our projects are based out in the country, so we are always thinking about incorporating 'the wider landscape'. Thanks for sharing your helpful thoughts. Cheers, Lesley and Robert
Just to add to what Lesley has said above, how well you have conveyed the possibilities and advantages of such spaces, rather than seeing them as limitations!
Best Wishes
Robert
You offer some valuable advice regarding small spaces. It is indeed like a private retreat.
Landscape Design is popular for those small backyards or frontyard. The landscaping needs to be properly planned for these small places, as they can be more challenging! Good topic for discussion.
Sometimes I stumble upon a blog post that perfectly answers a question that brought me to perform a search in the first place - your post is a good example of such a happy encounter. Thanks! :-)
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