Small Garden? Be Inspired by This Year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show
Try some of these design ideas to create a leafy sanctuary in even the smallest of outside spaces
Sarah Alcroft
2 October 2021
Houzz UK Editorial Team
After 2020’s virtual version, the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in London, UK, is back in all its glory, running in the European autumn rather than spring – 21 to 26 September – for the first time in its history. One of the key themes this year is the idea that you don’t need a big space to create a leafy sanctuary, with balconies, container gardens and beautifully styled houseplant studios sharing space with the traditional feature and show gardens.
A survey by the RHS in 2020 found that 57 percent of respondents valued their garden more following lockdown, and numerous designs at the show prove anyone who has even a modest space can fashion their own haven, be part of greening up our environment, and create pockets where wildlife can thrive. Take a look at these ideas for making the most of your small patch.
A survey by the RHS in 2020 found that 57 percent of respondents valued their garden more following lockdown, and numerous designs at the show prove anyone who has even a modest space can fashion their own haven, be part of greening up our environment, and create pockets where wildlife can thrive. Take a look at these ideas for making the most of your small patch.
Combine a lawn and patio
If you don’t have room for both paving and a patch of greenery, why not consider blending the two? That way, you can cross the area on a wet day and place chair legs on a firm footing, while also benefitting from a carpet of greenery and wafts of gorgeous scent.
The flooring in the Green Sky Pocket Garden by James Smith featured square paving, but you could equally use irregular stone pavers for a rustic look.
There are plenty of plants to choose from that will offer greenery year-round, such as campanula, Ajuga reptans, or beautifully scented creeping thyme, which bees love when it flowers in summer. Or why not combine different plants, as James did here by adding sculptural succulents to the mix?
If you don’t have room for both paving and a patch of greenery, why not consider blending the two? That way, you can cross the area on a wet day and place chair legs on a firm footing, while also benefitting from a carpet of greenery and wafts of gorgeous scent.
The flooring in the Green Sky Pocket Garden by James Smith featured square paving, but you could equally use irregular stone pavers for a rustic look.
There are plenty of plants to choose from that will offer greenery year-round, such as campanula, Ajuga reptans, or beautifully scented creeping thyme, which bees love when it flowers in summer. Or why not combine different plants, as James did here by adding sculptural succulents to the mix?
Use shrubs as trees
Trees can be dominating in a small plot, but here’s a way to create a leafy canopy on a smaller scale. In his Sky Sanctuary Garden, designer Michael Coley planted a Burkwood osmanthus (Osmanthus x burkwoodii) shrub in a tall planter to create height without overwhelming the space.
The slow-growing shrub is evergreen and produces small, fragrant white flowers in late spring. Under its spreading branches, Michael planted shade-loving ferns and Brunnera macrophylla for a surprisingly lush woodland feel in the tiny space.
Trees can be dominating in a small plot, but here’s a way to create a leafy canopy on a smaller scale. In his Sky Sanctuary Garden, designer Michael Coley planted a Burkwood osmanthus (Osmanthus x burkwoodii) shrub in a tall planter to create height without overwhelming the space.
The slow-growing shrub is evergreen and produces small, fragrant white flowers in late spring. Under its spreading branches, Michael planted shade-loving ferns and Brunnera macrophylla for a surprisingly lush woodland feel in the tiny space.
Mix flowers, fruit and vegetables
No space for a dedicated vegie patch? Don’t despair. Instead, consider weaving edibles amid pretty perennial planting.
In his Parsley Box Garden, designer Alan Williams created a peaceful sanctuary packed with interest for people of all ages, with containers at different heights making it accessible to all.
The herbs in the garden included chives, mint and marjoram, while fruits such as blackberry, blueberry and strawberry were dotted throughout, and there were plenty of vegetables, from leek to lettuce, courgette to kale. And don’t be afraid to add impact with some bigger species, such as fig and espaliered pears.
Find a qualified landscape gardener to help you make your garden the place to be.
No space for a dedicated vegie patch? Don’t despair. Instead, consider weaving edibles amid pretty perennial planting.
In his Parsley Box Garden, designer Alan Williams created a peaceful sanctuary packed with interest for people of all ages, with containers at different heights making it accessible to all.
The herbs in the garden included chives, mint and marjoram, while fruits such as blackberry, blueberry and strawberry were dotted throughout, and there were plenty of vegetables, from leek to lettuce, courgette to kale. And don’t be afraid to add impact with some bigger species, such as fig and espaliered pears.
Find a qualified landscape gardener to help you make your garden the place to be.
Don’t skimp on seating
To benefit from the healing power of sitting amid greenery on a regular basis, you need to make it easy to get out there. Having to rummage for a chair every time you consider popping outside for a morning cuppa or evening sundowner is likely to deter you when time is tight.
For this reason, however small your garden, consider including a permanent comfy perch. In this Arcadia balcony garden by Martha Krempel, the roomy swing seat took up a decent chunk of the two-by-five-metre space, but Martha used a small pomegranate tree and a slim pergola draped in Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) to take the greenery up high and give the garden a roomy feel.
To benefit from the healing power of sitting amid greenery on a regular basis, you need to make it easy to get out there. Having to rummage for a chair every time you consider popping outside for a morning cuppa or evening sundowner is likely to deter you when time is tight.
For this reason, however small your garden, consider including a permanent comfy perch. In this Arcadia balcony garden by Martha Krempel, the roomy swing seat took up a decent chunk of the two-by-five-metre space, but Martha used a small pomegranate tree and a slim pergola draped in Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) to take the greenery up high and give the garden a roomy feel.
Harness vertical surfaces
Making the most of every centimetre is key in a small garden. If you have large planters, consider drilling some holes and filling them with leafy plants for a living wall effect.
The tumbling foliage on the side of this planter, which was in Michael Coley’s Sky Sanctuary Garden, includes ivy and hart’s tongue fern and adds another layer of greenery beside a small dining area.
Making the most of every centimetre is key in a small garden. If you have large planters, consider drilling some holes and filling them with leafy plants for a living wall effect.
The tumbling foliage on the side of this planter, which was in Michael Coley’s Sky Sanctuary Garden, includes ivy and hart’s tongue fern and adds another layer of greenery beside a small dining area.
Work in some water
The sound of babbling water can both induce relaxation and mask less welcome sounds, especially in urban gardens. Water features also add sparkling light, the opportunity to enjoy water-loving plants and a wonderful environment for wildlife.
And ponds don’t have to be grand. A small trough, similar to the one seen in this Blue Diamond Forge artisan garden by the Blue Diamond Group Team, or a simple shallow pebble pond, can bring the look and sounds of a bigger body of water to a small space.
The sound of babbling water can both induce relaxation and mask less welcome sounds, especially in urban gardens. Water features also add sparkling light, the opportunity to enjoy water-loving plants and a wonderful environment for wildlife.
And ponds don’t have to be grand. A small trough, similar to the one seen in this Blue Diamond Forge artisan garden by the Blue Diamond Group Team, or a simple shallow pebble pond, can bring the look and sounds of a bigger body of water to a small space.
Be ambitious with containers
If you have a small courtyard, patio or balcony with a hard surface, you don’t need to miss out on lush planting. Bring in large containers in different heights and fill them with a variety of plants to create a leafy garden feel.
The corrugated-steel containers featured in this Hot Tin Roof Garden by Ellie Edkins, while urban in nature, are circular to introduce soft lines and were planted with lush, shade-loving plants, including ferns, lesser periwinkle, sedges and Geranium ‘Rozanne’, plus the grass Hakonechloa macra ‘Nicolas’ to further soften the look.
Ellie has given another layer to the containers by filling one with water (left, foreground) to bring in some aquatic plants, including Pontederia lanceolata, which produces lovely spikes of blue flowers in summer.
She’s also added height to the courtyard with Fatsia japonica in pots and ferns trailing from shelves to complete the sense of seclusion.
If you have a small courtyard, patio or balcony with a hard surface, you don’t need to miss out on lush planting. Bring in large containers in different heights and fill them with a variety of plants to create a leafy garden feel.
The corrugated-steel containers featured in this Hot Tin Roof Garden by Ellie Edkins, while urban in nature, are circular to introduce soft lines and were planted with lush, shade-loving plants, including ferns, lesser periwinkle, sedges and Geranium ‘Rozanne’, plus the grass Hakonechloa macra ‘Nicolas’ to further soften the look.
Ellie has given another layer to the containers by filling one with water (left, foreground) to bring in some aquatic plants, including Pontederia lanceolata, which produces lovely spikes of blue flowers in summer.
She’s also added height to the courtyard with Fatsia japonica in pots and ferns trailing from shelves to complete the sense of seclusion.
Surround with tall planting. Whether you have one small seat or can squeeze in a dining table, surrounding a small area with greenery can help to disguise its size, transporting anyone sitting amid the planting to another world.
In the Finnish Soul Garden by Taina Suonio, seen here, a mix of cool-coloured flowers, tall, delicate grasses and small trees were highlighted against black fencing to create an enchanting dining space.
Your turn
What’s on your must-have list for your garden? Let us know in the Comments below, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the conversation.
More
Need more practical tips to ensure you enjoy time in your garden even more? Read Pro Panel: Top Questions to Ask Before Designing a Front Garden.
In the Finnish Soul Garden by Taina Suonio, seen here, a mix of cool-coloured flowers, tall, delicate grasses and small trees were highlighted against black fencing to create an enchanting dining space.
Your turn
What’s on your must-have list for your garden? Let us know in the Comments below, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the conversation.
More
Need more practical tips to ensure you enjoy time in your garden even more? Read Pro Panel: Top Questions to Ask Before Designing a Front Garden.
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The issue of design is not what it used to be. Today its more democratic and open to many interpretations or even concepts of what a garden is supposed to be. Personally I’m exited about then all, mainly because it represents different perspectives, the challenge, and if that is the only one, its well worth it, and that is to get away from the toxic lawns. Yes yes yes, sometimes it is necessary to lay a bed of plain green nothingness, that’s ok, as long as it is not just a dumb down excuse for a garden, justified by the cliche excuse of low maintenance. Accessing the toxification of the soil, the eradicating of the diversified biome, the killing of insects and animals, the pollution of the ground water, i can go on and on,..It obviously is not a cheaper way to beauty.
As i was saying i just love the garden options presented. I am most impressed to see that Houzz has chosen to include some of the less expensive projects and not just the highly expensive design options to feature. Yes they obviously have a place, and we love them too, but balance is a good way to move forward.
Wonderful ideas ! Mixing fruits and vegetables , GREAT idea!
Great feature. I would like more ideas on combining a raised deck at house level with steps down to the garden and more areas of interest beyond. Eg a quiet space in a sunny corner away from the house. We have just had a kitchen reno with bifold doors, and after more than six months of workmen in the house we need to start on the outside!