A small yard does not have to be devoid of landscaping elements. There
are plenty of things that can be done with a small yard to help it look
nice, while not encroaching too much on usable space. The key is to plan
well, and to choose plants and designs that are not too over powering. But,
even though you may not be able to have large boulders or a sweeping flower
garden, or a large pond, it is still possible to have a beautiful landscape
that surrounds your home and helps you feel more comfortable in it.
One of the things to remember when you have a small space is that you
can build up rather than building out. You can do this by building raised
beds for your plants. This can be done yourself, allowing you to save
money. In fact, if you have a small yard, your landscaping costs should
be fewer anyway. Building a raised bed allows you to create an attractive
feature for your small yard without having to worry about taking up too
much space. Some beds, if built on planks of wood, can be designed with
wheels. Then you can move your landscape wherever you want; you have
a moveable landscape!
Another method of maximizing small landscape space is to use containers
for planting. Instead of marking out large sections of your yard for
flowerbeds or vegetable patches, do a little container gardening. These
types of gardens allow you to choose to plant various items in containers.
Plants in containers take up less space, and you can move them around
as you need to. This also creates a moveable landscape that can be very
convenient depending upon your use of the space for a certain day. The
containers can be placed for ornamental effect while you are entertaining,
or they can be moved out of the way for a rousing game of family flag-football.
Take into account the colors in your landscape. Cool colors (like blue)
actually make a space look larger. Therefore, if you would like your
yard to feel and look larger, choose the colors that make it look that
way. Plants like silver king and evergreens can give your yard a feeling
of largeness. Blue spruce and Alberta pine are good examples of plants
that add a decorative tough while helping your property look bigger.
In fact, Alberta pines are rather small trees, so they do not take up
very much space while at the same time conferring a feeling of maximum
space.
Another idea for small landscape spaces is a small rock garden. A well-designed
rock garden always makes an attractive feature. Make sure that it is
in a place that will not be in the way when you mow the lawn. A little
nook or corner of the property, or even up against the house on a raised
bed, will do for a small rock garden. Choose your rocks carefully to
complement each other, and choose plants that go with the rocks and that
will not spread too much. Hens and chicks are great plants for use in
a small rock garden. The rock garden draws the eye, but does not need
to be sprawling.
Finally, if you want a water feature, it is possible to use a small
one for limited landscape space. Small features similar to serenity fountains
can be purchased for outdoor use. You can put them among your rock garden.
Even a small birdbath can add a feeling of elegance to the yard. And
the great thing about buying a small water feature is that it costs much,
much less than putting in a big pond or even a medium size waterfall.
Water features come in a variety of types and designs, and it very likely
that you can find one to fit the size and the look of your yard.
Even if your yard is small, it is possible to design a landscape that
enlarges the space in an attractive manner. By carefully considering
your design, using small features and cool colors, and by thinking about
what would help give your yard a touch of elegance, you can have a very
nicely landscaped and cozy surrounding for your home.
