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Is your garden on the small side?  A lack of space doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a lush, blossom-filled garden year after year.  Here are some tips for making the most of a small-space garden.

1.  Start with structure.  Is your space large enough to accomodate a tree or two?  Your local nursery or home improvement store should have a selection of dwarf trees and evergreens that are perfect for small gardens.  Check that the full growth of the dwarf-variety trees you select will fit within the space you’ve planned.

2.  Container gardens allow for flexibility and offer a quick fix.  You can add flowers or foliage as accents, or group containers together for a “bed.”  You’ll do best with large containers and drought-resistant plants.  Use hanging baskets to add color at eye level.

3.  Make use of the edges of your space.  Plant vines and crawling plants along fences, or incorporate arbors and trellises in your landscape.  Flowering vines can really transform a less-attractive vertical feature, such as a privacy fence.

4.  Use layers in your landscaping.  Begin with ground cover, and then add mid-height flowering plants to fill in.  Finish with trees and shrubs in dwarf varieties that will fit your space.

5.  Check the expected “mature growth” size of your plants.  Avoid the mistake of selecting small plants that will eventually grow too big for your space and bring the landscape out of proportion.

6.  Want a vegetable garden?  Don’t despair; you can grow vegetables and herbs in containers, or in compact beds.  You can even use trellises for pole beans and cucumbers.

7.  Don’t forget a table and chair, or bench.  You’ll want to enjoy the small oasis you have created.

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