Cape Town - Gardening in small spaces is the ultimate challenge. It is not only about making a small space appear larger, but it is also about fitting in with the owner’s lifestyle. All the experts will tell you that simple design, simple outdoor furniture and strong structure are the key to success in a small garden.
Privacy may be a top priority for some owners, while others may need an outdoor space to function purely as an entertainment area. The design may need to incorporate a play area for children, or a level paved area for easy and safe walking. If there is an attractive view, this should be taken into account and used to full advantage; if not, then the focus will need to come from within.
Because a small garden is so closely linked with the house, it follows that it should be in sympathy with the architecture and decor. A Victorian style house suggests a more formal design than a cottage decorated with floral prints and pretty china, while a garden with minimal planting will be more suited to a modern home of glass and steel.
Paved areas:
In small gardens, lawns are often replaced by paving or a combination of pebbles and paving stones to vary the texture. Containers of evergreen shrubs will help soften the hard surface.
This is a garden that will reflect little evidence of a change in seasons. Containers of annuals involve a little more work, but will add splashes of seasonal colour. If spaces are left in paved areas, these can be planted with succulents, bulbine, gazania and arctotis that are able to cope with reflected heat and sun.
Feature:
A patio creates a transition between house and garden, and one that is roofed offers shelter from sun and rain, as well as privacy. With space at a premium it also means that outdoor furniture need not be stored when not in use. Where a neighbour’s upstairs windows look down into the garden, a pergola covered in evergreen climbers will make for a more private sitting area.
The sound of water in a garden is always pleasing, and a wall fountain is a practical way of making use of space in a small garden. The head of the fountain often takes the form of a fantasy creature or mask known as a gargoyle, from which water spills into a pool. If the walls of the pool are raised, this will provide a seating area. As an alternative, water can fall from an urn or a statue, but care should be taken that these are in proportion to the space.
A large container or wooden half barrel on the patio is just about as small a water garden as you can have. If the wood is dry, the barrel should be filled with water for a few weeks to allow the wood to expand and stop any leakage. This mini-pond should not be overcrowded with plants, since much of the attraction is to be able to see the water. Dwarf water lilies that need less depth of water are suited to tubs.
Plant selection:
In small gardens, every plant must earn its keep, so choose only the best. Besides available space, your choice will depend on altitude, temperature, aspect, soil type and rainfall. Don’t be tempted to over-plant in the beginning, or you will have to cut back or remove plants that have outgrown their space within a few years.
Because the garden is small does not mean that plants must also be small. Plants of differing structure and texture are essential in a small garden to create year-round interest. Colour can be used to create different effects; pastel colours will give a feeling of depth, while bolder colours appear to advance.
Layered planting:
Planting in layers is the secret of successful borders in small gardens. Standardised shrubs can be under-planted with bulbs and low-growing annuals. If there is a wall or fence behind the bed, a dainty climber will add further height and interest. Trellis and tripods will also give additional height and interest in a border, as well as support for climbing roses, sweet peas and clematis.
Shrubs for borders include anisodontea, freylinia, heliotrope, lavender, marguerite daisies, rosemary, spiraea cultivars, proteas, ericas and westringia. Perennials of different heights and shapes provide colour and extend the seasons (agapanthus, bulbine, tulbaghia, day lily); grasses and grass-like plants (carex, festuca) offer textural interest and different form; and groundcovers (catmint, lamb’s ear) can be used to thread through the taller plantings and carpet the ground.
At the end of the day, it is not the size of the garden that matters, but rather how well we have used the space.
Tips
l Evergreen shrubs are the backbone of the winter garden. If you have gaps, select a shiny mirror plant (Coprosma repens) or glossy abelia (Abelia x grandiflora “Francis Mason”) for a sunny spot. If you have shade, try a spotted or flecked gold dust plant (Aucuba japonica).
l Ideas for indoors: The tough, indigenous, mother-in-laws plant (Sansevieria sp) thrive in virtually any situation. They can take low light or even eight hours of artificial light a day. They are best, however, in bright light and even a little sun.
l Remove rotting vegetation and water plants that have spread beyond their allotted space in ornamental ponds. Remove illegal eco-unfriendly invasive aquatics such as water lettuce, parrot’s feather or water hyacinth.
l An attractive indigenous, spring flowering tree is the tree wisteria (Bolusanthus speciosus), which produces mauve, pea-shaped flower trusses. It has a slender form and slightly weeping branches, and reaches a mature height of 4-7m.
l Give your garden furniture a coat of paint in Wedgewood blue, Victorian green or dove grey – these colours go with most garden schemes.
l Although plant growth appears to have slowed down, from the time of the winter solstice daylight hours lengthen sap in plants begins to rise.
l Lightly fork in a general fertiliser around violets and primroses. If violet flowers are hidden among the foliage, remove some of the leaves.
l Keep watch for the amaryllis caterpillar that burrows down into the centre and leaves of clivias. If present, spray with Ludwigs Insect Spray or Margaret Roberts Biological Caterpillar Insecticide.
l Make sure to water azaleas, camellias, hellebores and primulas in containers under eaves so they flower. - Weekend Argus