Transform a petite garden into a stunning spectacle within a span of one afternoon: Steps and Tips Included
Ready to revamp your outdoor space in a jiffy? Here's our insider's guide, straight from the minds of seven top Chelsea garden designers:
- Colorful Pelargoniums
- Manoj Malde, an award-winning designer with a knack for vibrant palettes, recommends filling your pots with bedding geraniums aka pelargoniums. These blooms will deliver a splash of color all season long, just make sure to keep them deadheaded!
- Embrace the Lawn
- Matthew Wilson, beloved for his appearances on BBC Radio 4 Gardeners' Question Time, advises giving your lawn a little TLC. Mow it, edge it, and fill every inch of soil with plants to keep that tidy look.
- Indulge in Your Space
- Award-winning designer Kate Gould emphasizes the importance of creating a comfortable, inviting space for yourself. Add cushions, throws, and lanterns to your outdoor furniture for a cozy setup that works from dusk to dawn.
- Go for Cosmos
- Designer and presenter Joe Swift loves cosmos, recommending these versatile, colorful annuals to fill any gaps or cram your pots. With options ranging from whites (Cosmos bipinnatus 'Purity') to wine reds (Cosmos bipinnatus 'Dazzler'), you're sure to find one that matches your style.
- Tablecloth Magic
- Ann-Marie Powell, a gold-medal-winning Chelsea designer, suggests giving your terrace the VIP treatment. Scrub furniture, refresh pots, position them to create a focal point, and use a lovely tablecloth, colorful crockery, and a garden posy as a centerpiece to distract your guests from any imperfections.
- Get Your Hands Dirty
- Tom Massey, gold medal-winning Chelsea designer and author of RHS Resilient Garden, stresses the value of a focused session of weeding, mulching, and general tidying to clear the way for new growth.
- The Power of the Hoe
- Ann-Marie Powell, once more, swears by her hoe for an instant garden improvement. Skim through young weeds, mulch over them, and treat yourself to some herbaceous perennials.
- Transformative Pruning
- Robert Myers, six-time Chelsea gold medal winner, suggests pruning a large shrub into a multi-stem tree for a quick and satisfying renovation. This simple job can completely transform a space in just a few hours.
Embrace these tips from the experts to instantaneously boost your garden's curb appeal and create a comfortable, attractive outdoor oasis in no time!
- Tidying Up Small Gardens:
- Opt for compact trees, flowers, and plants that thrive in limited spaces to maximize your garden's potential.
- Introduce optical illusions with strategic plant placements and design elements for a visually larger space.
- Decorate with smaller furniture, water features, and ornamental details to create a cozy atmosphere without overcrowding.
Sources:[1] Your Garden: How To Get Instant Results. (n.d.). Retrieved March 10, 2023, from https://www.housebeautiful.co.uk/gardens/how-to/a1741/how-to-get-instant-garden-results/[2] Hesje-McClay, S. (2021, June 22). How to make small garden look bigger. Retrieved March 10, 2023, from https://www.rbge.org.uk/get-involved/grow-your-own/small-gardens[3] Making a Small Garden Look More Generous. (n.d.). Retrieved March 10, 2023, from https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/gardening-blog/2021/mar/13/making-a-small-garden-look-more-generous
Implement innovative design ideas from home-and-garden magazines for small gardens, such as using compact plants like pelargoniums to add color without taking up too much space.
To enhance the lifestyle appeal of your small garden, consider incorporating home-and-garden décor items like smaller furniture, decorative water features, and ornamental details for a cozy ambiance.
