Landscaping A Small Area

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Adhering to the basic rules of planning and landscape design, you can visually enlarge the site. About design techniques, selection of plants, forms and location in more detail in this article

Techniques for visual expansion of the area of the site

Having an undeveloped area or wanting to start a reconstruction, a detailed plan is required. Start sketching by marking the house and outbuildings. Next, it is important to decide on a recreation area, then future or existing trees and a vegetable garden are drawn. Shrubs, paths, flower beds complete the planning.

Smooth lines

Professional designers use visual expansion techniques: smooth lines, smooth shapes, alternating with compositions of small elements. For example, a winding path that winds temptingly between flower beds and plantings will visually enlarge the area. The natural lines of the paths should be accompanied by splashes of interesting bushes and group plantings of flowers.

The same effect is given by decorative elements and flower arrangements, located at random in mini-groups. There should be no clarity of alignment, only alternation in height, color and size. Can be grouped according to the principle of a semicircle, oval, snake. Move away from angular geometry, squares and rectangles.

Color spectrum

A small space is largely subject to light perception. Building on contrasting shades of vegetation changes the perception of the overall landscape picture. The change of light and dark tones is called a "focal point" in design.

For the correct use of this method, it is recommended to “play” on the shades of foliage, inflorescences, tree bark, fruits. The dominant color, especially in summer, will always be green. Choose combinations in terms of saturation, shades, soft go from light to dark. Try to find a single theme and organically vary the palette in different parts of the garden.

Zoning

Experts advise to study each zone especially carefully. Connect interesting examples from the Internet and magazines, select and generalize several options, add your own ideas and fantasies. But always stick to small values and at the same time avoid chaos and variegation.

Don't make grandiose gazebos and patios. For get-togethers and meals, 6-7 sq. meters. For sunbathing and relaxing with a book, you can put a couple of sun loungers on the lawn, near a pond or near an apple tree. Use a miniature pond, dry stream, decorative stump, well and more for decoration.

Flower beds

Do not chase the number of flower beds, less is better, but more interesting. Choose plants wisely for groupings. Consider the timing of flowering, strive for the ideal of beauty from spring to late autumn. You can't do without dwarf conifers here.

Symmetry is detrimental to small spaces. Arrange the flower beds in a scattered way, without adhering to the correct lines. Let the forms be far from ideal, but reasonably fit into the overall style. An excellent solution would be container planting, flowerpots, vertical beds, alpine slides, small pergolas with climbing roses, lemongrass, ornamental beans, sweet peas.

Lightening

The lightening technique works great. Decorate the remote corners with plants with light-colored foliage (silver, light green, striped, with white splashes). For example, variegated sod, shirass maple, Japanese pieris, rodendron bushes, wavy hosta, brunners, light-leaved varieties of heuchera, Fortune euonymus.

Add decorative grains to plant groups. They are ideal for lightening and thinning density. Recommended types of light colors: silvery conical sedge, sod, phalaris (Pikanta, Mervin Fizi), miscanthus (Strictus, Variegatus, Zebrinus).

Tips for landscaping a small area

• Avoid excess variety. Stick to a consistent color theme. Work with variations in the chosen key - this is the key to cozy harmony.

• Match the varietal characteristics of plants with light and proportions.

• Rank bushes and trees. Observe the increase in height from south to north.

• When selecting seedlings, take into account the climate of your region.

Three basic rules for designing a small area

The main idea of all transformations is built on the observance of proportions. There is no room for gigantomania on six acres.

1.

The buildings. Discard massive buildings! Try to create buildings that are compact, interesting in shape and "light". Distribute them evenly, alternating with green spaces, a barbecue area, decorative items, a seating area, a gazebo.

2.

Fencing. Do not use high, solid fences! A two-meter metal profile installed along the perimeter of the site will negate your efforts to increase. Visually, such a fence will "eat up" the space. Perhaps it will also disrupt air circulation and microclimate. Better make a chain-link with vines / loaches, a hedge, a picket fence (1, 2-1, 6 m).

3.

Trees. The crowns of large trees with extensive root systems cut back the possibilities for proper planning. They crush and overwhelm with their mass. Plant undersized and semi-dwarfs (3-4 m). This group of fruit and ornamental representatives will decorate and give a decent harvest. Create compact groups out of them.