I don’t suppose there are too many of us who wake up, look out onto our gardens and say to ourselves “I wish my garden was smaller” - I’m willing to bet most of us will say the reverse. For those of us who are, let’s say, creatively challenged, it can be hard visualising what to do with our postage stamp-sized gardens. So much so that many of us will simply drop in some rattan and a firepit, and sit outside in bland and uninspiring spaces, depriving ourselves of all the colour and vibrancy that plants can bring.

Whether your mini garden is currently unloved, or you’ve big plans for the summer that you’ve yet to implement, Suttons have come up with some great ideas to make the most of a small space. Their top-tips will make a smaller garden look bigger and at its best this summer, even if it’s only you that fits in it!

Growing vertically

If your garden is short of space, and you would like to add a little texture, colour and impact, then why not try growing plants, vegetables and flowers vertically as opposed to along the ground?

Upside-down planters

Upside-down planters look a little strange at first glance, but they’re a sure-fire way to add a whole lot of interest to a garden without compromising on space. It’s easier than you think to create the look, and your garden is provided with a futuristic aesthetic that is sure to turn a few heads.

Just suspend planters from trees in your garden, your fence or a wooden trellis. They can also be used for planting tomatoes, if you want to grow-your-own yet are short of space.

Tall vegetables

Squash, beans and varieties of cucumber (not the bush variety) can be planted on a trellis, or for pole beans try using a bean tepee. Pop a few Bamboo poles into soft ground then simply gather them together at the top to create a loose tripod shape. Guiding and training your plant to stay within the plant supports can see them growing some 5ft tall - saving lots of space elsewhere in your garden.

Tiered planters

An alternative to raised flowerbeds that can take up too much room on the ground, tiered planters are great for smaller spaces. Tall upright plants such as thrillers create a striking look in your planters, and could be used as a feature against walls or fences, making the boundaries of your garden less obvious. Or, if you’d like a more traditional look and feel within your garden, why not try spillers, which flow outwards and trail over the sides of your planters – cascading down. If you’d like a mixture of various plants, then pop in some fillers, which sit in amongst spillers to make a distinction of colour and texture within your planters.

For a cleaner look, consider upcycling old step ladders to act as space-saving shelving for smaller flower pots. Not only a great idea for flowers, this also makes for a attractive urban herb garden.

Creating focal points

A focal point can provide the illusion of space and allow you to create defined ‘zones’ within your garden. Each focal point will showcase a different element - be these social or functional.

• A cluster of plants will add texture, colour and vibrancy to your garden. This may take the form of a collection of all white flowers, such as the Mexican fleabane, or alternatively, lavender which looks (and smells) great all year round.
• Bird baths are a great way of attracting wildlife that you wouldn’t otherwise see in your garden. Adding a simple wildlife-friendly feature means your view will be constantly shifting throughout the seasons.
• Seating should also be a prominent feature in your garden. If you’re short on space, opt for a simple Jack and Jill bench or a simple metal framed breakfast set.

As long as you’re sensible, and you use space effectively, then it’s easy to give the illusion your garden is bigger than it actually is. After all, no garden is too small, every single one has the potential to be something amazing.