Small Wonders with Earth Creation Landscapes
Size needn’t matter when it comes to creating stunning spaces in your garden. Pete Goodlet shares his top tips for creating tiny treasures.
Land is precious and our patches of paradise are getting smaller. In gardens, the smaller they are the more important it is to get the details right. Like designing a tiny house, it is vital to make every element work cohesively and, often, perform multiple functions.
Not only must every element of the garden work together, but they also must, where feasible perform more than just one role — for example, a retaining wall can make an excellent bench seat; a feature wall the perfect place to hide, a storage shed, and random, circular paved areas are great at drawing your eye down and creating an intimate feel.
Central features such as a firepit enhance the space and create a cosy winter gathering place as the flicker of flames dances with light, warmth, and magic. The introduction of ethanol fire pits has created amazing options for statement pieces to compliment your architectural style. Just don’t let Aunty Beryl hog all the toasted marshmallows!
Speaking of Aunty Beryl, make your seating stylish but sturdy. Sure, three-legged stools can look very cool, but the last thing you need is Aunty B going head over heels into the flames! This is bound to cause much hilarity, but you will most certainly be “Out of the will!”
A lovely, paved area can be complimented with a green lawn and natural steppingstones. Think out of the box with a swathe of Native Violet, Viola hederacea or White Star Creeper, Pratia penductula.
Another true landscaping gem is clumping grass such as the Korean Violet Grass, Zoysia Tenuifolia which can add an oriental feel and look spectacular on a mound surrounding a small feature tree while also providing space to spread out and read a good book — or magazine.
In a compact space, trick the eye with foliage. Small colourful leaves in the border can contrast with large architectural foliage. Be brave and wild, striking foliage is a feature to behold. Deeper colours to the rear will recede and create a sense of space. Fences and even neighbouring walls can be painted in a dark tone to bring in neighbouring foliage or views, while splashes of white or coloured flowers will draw you out to explore.
A sense of occasion is always welcome in a garden. Even more so in a smaller space. A great example of this is the Tea House in a Japanese courtyard. It creates a spot to sit, relax and sip tea. Or maybe Sake is more your tipple? Whatever you chose to imbibe in do it with style and aplomb. It is the little touches that add the sense of celebration to an occasion. Why not venture forth in a stunning silk kimono and curly toed slippers with bells? After all, it is your garden sanctuary – embrace it with gusto.
Harmony is vital in a small garden with one element blending into the other. Curves let the eye move gently around a space. Surprise the visitor with a beautiful sculpture or wall mounted artwork. The splash of a water feature will enhance the ambiance and add to the sense of unity with the space.
Encourage birds into your garden with a large shallow birdbath — the splashing and preening and pure joy bring a natural beauty to your space. Dry stone walls can become a multi-storey condominium for lizards that will gobble up your garden pests and amuse you with their sunbaking style. Insect hotels provide homes for predator insects and create more biodiversity in your garden, and they can be mounted on fences or under shed eaves. A frog pond will add colour and song, bringing your garden to life. Green treefrogs are a welcome visitor in any subtropical garden.
Speaking of welcome visitors and natural beauties, don’t forget that Stuart and his team at Earth Creation Landscapes are the natural choice to add elegance and beauty to your garden with award-winning designs and expertise.
