Small Garden, Big Impact: How to Elevate Your Outdoor Space

Creating a beautiful garden in a limited space might seem challenging, but with the right approach, your small garden can have a significant impact. Whether you have a cozy patio or a modest terrace, small garden ideas can help transform your outdoor space into a green, wildlife friendly and welcoming area. In this guide, we’ll explore practical tips and creative solutions to maximize your garden’s potential, focusing on small garden design, patio garden inspiration, and back garden ideas.

Choosing the Right Plants for Limited Spaces

When working with a small garden, selecting the right plants is crucial. You want to choose plants that are compact, yet provide visual interest and suit your preferred style. Opt for dwarf varieties and plants with a small footprint that can thrive in containers or confined areas. Some reliable favourites include Hebes, Lavender, Geraniums and ornamental grasses. For a small yet productive space, herbs like Basil, Thyme, and Rosemary are perfect for growing in pots and on a sunny windowsill.

Vertical gardening is another excellent strategy for small gardens. Climbers (plants that grow upwards or can be trained up fences and walls) such as Jasmine, Clematis and Honeysuckle produce attractive and fragrant blooms while saving precious ground space. Plants like Beans, Sweet-peas, and Tomatoes are brilliant annuals that are fun to grow and work in a small space. Additionally, consider perennials that can be pruned to stay small, or those that offer cascading growth, such as Ivy, Aubrita and Campanula. Remember, the key to successful small garden design is to ensure that every plant serves a purpose, whether it’s for aesthetics, benefits to wildlife, culinary use, or all three.

Adding Layers with Raised Beds and Planters

Creating layers in your small garden can add depth and make the space feel larger and more dynamic. Raised beds and planters of varying heights can help achieve this effect. Raised beds are not only practical for gardening but also add a structured, organized look to your garden. They can be constructed from wood, stone, or recycled materials, and placed strategically to create pathways and separate sections in your garden.

Planters of different sizes and heights can be used to add vertical interest. Tall planters can be placed at the back or in corners, with shorter ones in front to create a tiered effect. This layering not only enhances the visual appeal but also allows you to grow a variety of plants that might have different light and space requirements. For instance, taller plants like Phormiums or ornamental grasses can provide a backdrop, while medium-height plants such as Daphne, Hebe or Pieris can fill the middle ground, and ground-covering plants like creeping Thyme or Vinca can be placed at the base.

Utilizing Colour and Texture for Visual Interest

One of the most effective ways to make a small garden stand out is by utilizing colour and texture. Thoughtfully combining different hues and textures can create a visually stimulating environment that feels more expansive than it actually is. Flowers in vibrant colours like red, yellow, and purple can draw the eye and make the space feel lively. Complement these with foliage in varying shades of green, from the deep, rich tones of Ferns to the light, airy leaves of ornamental grasses.

Texture is equally important. Mix plants with different leaf shapes and surfaces, such as the broad, smooth leaves of Fatsia and Hostas with the fine, feathery foliage of Ferns. Incorporate furniture and garden decor that add to the textural variety. Wicker chairs, stone benches, or metal sculptures can all contribute to a rich tapestry of textures that enhance your garden’s visual appeal.

For more ideas on how to use colour and texture in garden design, you can explore resources like the Royal Horticultural Society’s guide on garden colour schemes.

Creating a vibrant and inviting small garden is entirely possible with thoughtful planning and creative use of space. By embracing these small garden design ideas, such as choosing the right plants, adding layers with raised beds and planters, and utilising colour and texture, you can elevate your patio or terrace and achieve a big impact, even in the smallest of spaces.

Chelsea Flower Show 2024: Trends and Highlights

The RHS Chelsea Flower Show headlines the gardening calendar each year, with designers, gardeners and Pimms-lovers flocking to admire the incredible show gardens and soak up the inspiration. 

This year’s event was bigger and better than ever. Whether you managed to get your hands on a ticket or not, read Rocket’s highlights and top trends spotted for the gardening year ahead: 

1.Drought tolerant planting 

The climate is changing, summers are hotter and water is a precious resource. The Main Avenue gardens reflected that, with drought tolerant playing a key part. The RHS Chelsea Repurposed Garden not only included features from show gardens a decade ago, but focused on tough, drought tolerant species planted in crushed concrete and demolition sand. 

Elsewhere, rock gardens and gravel with hardy planting were popular. The WaterAid Garden designed by Tom Massey and architect Je Ahn harnessed the power of rainwater and explored how water can be managed sustainably. In the Container Gardens section, designer Sam Proctor showed it can be done in small spaces via his Water Saving Garden, sponsored by Affinity Water. 

2.Yellow, orange and red 

Although pastels are often favoured by gardeners, Chelsea turned up the heat this year, with yellow, orange and red taking centre stage. Sunny Achillea, bright red Papaver (oriental poppies) and one of the most popular plants across show gardens and the pavilion, Geum ‘Totally Tangerine’.

In many cases, these bright colours were contrasted against deep purple petals and foliage, and in some gardens, set against greys and silvers. 

3. Pines are back

Several stands were spotted cleverly combining evergreen pines with frothy flowers and foliage. 

 Pinus mugo and Pinus sylvestris featured front and centre in The Stoke Association’s Garden for Recovery, designed by Miria Harris, and other pines popped up elsewhere amongst Iris and Geranium creating sculptural shape. 

 4. Statement water features 

Gently trickling water is out, big and bold water features are in. 

The Paul Vanstone sculpture stand pulled in the crowds with its enormous stone water bowl, and designer Matthew Childs incorporated changing water levels to reveal a monolith slate plinth in the Terrence Higgins Trust Bridge to 2030 garden, designed to mark the huge progress made in the fight against HIV since the 1980s.

If your back garden doesn’t have space for a statement installation, take inspiration from Tom Bannister’s gold winning ‘Ecotherapy’ Balcony and Container garden, demonstrating a London courtyard with a cold plunge pool. 

 5. Curated wilderness 

The movement towards loose, wild and wildlife friendly gardens is building momentum. Wildflowers were everywhere, native ‘weeds’ were championed, and perfectly trimmed shrubs were scarce.

Insects and time-poor gardeners alike will relish is this laid back attitude to maintenance, and although Chelsea showed us some very well curated wildness, the style is certainly here to stay. The Bumblebee Conservation Trust showed that ‘Diversity is Queen’ with it’s bee focused Pavillion display, featuring a relaxed edible garden.

 6. Quintessentially British 

Would Chelsea be Chelsea without some classic English garden favourites? 

The Netflix sponsored Bridgerton Garden by designer Holly Johnson cleverly depicted the story of Penelope Featherington in a Sanctuary Garden. Offering privacy and respite, a central fountain was surrounded by Digitalis (Foxgloves) and Lupins, pretty in pinks, purples and sky blue. 

Meanwhile, inside the Pavilion, queues for Roses, Fuschias and Alliums showed that certain favourites will never go out of style. 

This year’s themes for Chelsea Flower Show were ‘the greenest Chelsea ever’ - prompting the vast quantities of reclaimed and recycled materials - as well as ‘the joy of gardening’ and ‘how to attract a younger and more diverse audience to gardening’. 

Catch up on iPlayer’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show deep dive into the gardens and the incredible causes they support, as well as where these gardens will go after the show is over.

How to grow vegetables: beginners guide

I’ll start by saying that you’re not going to master vegetable growing by reading one blog post, but it will certainly be a good place to start. Growing vegetables is one of my very favourite areas of gardening, and there’s many practical benefits too. I began growing edibles in a wheelbarrow in my childhood garden, and then again in my early twenties – I didn’t believe it was possible to grow things you can eat from a small London patio – but you definitely can.

With herbs, fruit and veg right outside the back door, it means minimising the need to buy plastic packaging from the supermarket, and reducing the distance from plant to plate – great for the environment, great for freshness. There’s also a new appreciation of seasonal eating that comes from ‘growing your own’, with the likes of salads and strawberries in the summer and wholesome root vegetables in autumn and winter. You’ll find an enormous amount of choice within each vegetable variety when you’re growing from seed, with exciting alternatives to the norm – think purple carrots and yellow beans.

So how on earth do you get started if you’re new to the growing scene? Try ticking these boxes:

1)      Provide the essentials

The basic necessities for growing vegetable plants are a light spot (ideally sunny), a container (it can be a raised bed, bucket, crate, or pot with holes in for drainage), a bag of multipurpose compost (make sure it’s suitable for growing edibles) and access to water. There’s all sorts of growing equipment and gadgets available for when you’re growing on a larger scale, or have certain growing conditions, but these are the bare minimum.

If you’re still unsure on containers, try using a deep tray or recycled egg box to germinate seedlings, then source larger pots or find space to plant straight out in the ground when the plants are bigger.

2)      Choose what you want to grow

All vegetables are grown slightly differently, require sowing at certain times of year, and have different preferences or habits (some grow up, some grow along, some grow down). But before you get put off by that, think simply about what you like to eat, or would like to eat. Strawberries are often good ones to start with, but that’s pointless if you hate the taste, so choose your favourites.

You can then look online or at seed packets to check if the ones you like are suitable for your garden – most like a sunny, sheltered position. If you haven’t got much space, consider options that grow vertically, such as peas and beans, and plants that produce lots of fruits on one plant like peppers and tomatoes. For those with more ground space, you have the option to grow more root vegetables such as beetroot, carrots and potatoes.

3)      Persevere

Once you’ve sourced your basics and chosen what you’ll be growing, you need a handful each of discipline and patience. Start by reading the seed packet instructions carefully, and grow accordingly. Remember that you’ll likely start by growing seedlings in trays or plugs, which will then need to be moved to larger containers, so plan ahead. You’ll also need a bit of initiative to get to know your plants’ needs – ie. if it’s a hot day and they look droopy, move them into the shade and give them some water.

Talking of watering… room temperature, weather, pot size and plant type can all impact how much water your plants will need. Keep a close eye on them, and you’ll soon work out how often they need it. When the soil is getting crumbly and dry, provide a good drink of water (until water runs out of the drainage holes). If the soil is damp to the touch, or water is collecting in the saucer, don’t give them more! As a guide, I water my vegetable seedings every few days when it’s colder, every day when it’s hotter, and not at all if they’re getting regularly rained on.

If you’re right at the start of your vegetable growing journey, I hope these pointers have given you some information and inspiration to get going. Remember that it’s very unusual for all vegetable plants to survive, and it’s good to take a ‘trial-and-error’ approach, so try not to be disheartened if things don’t go to plan first time around. Finally, make sure you enjoy the growing process, rather than just the end result, and appreciate the magic of edible things developing in front of your eyes.

NB. Always read seed packets carefully, and keep them for reference. If you’re unsure on anything when growing edibles, I’d recommend checking with the supplier or retailer to ensure you’re growing correctly and safely.

Visit: Hauser & Wirth, Somerset

Hauser & Wirth, a family business with a global reach, has a gallery and exhibition space on Durslade Farm, Somerset, with landscaped gardens designed by Piet Oudolf – the world-famous landscape designer.

The gallery space hosts contemporary art exhibitions and is centred around conservation, education and sustainability. The architecture itself has been beautifully and respectfully restored from the original derelict farm buildings, and also homes the Roth Bar and Grill.

Beyond the gallery lies a stretch known as ‘Oudolf Field’, a gentle but attention-commanding meadow designed by the Netherlands-based landscape genius for it’s opening in 2014. Curved beds filled predominantly with perennials provide a view filled with height and colour, creating soft yet structural shapes resulting in an effect that seems both natural and thoughtfully curated.

Oudolf is known for his interest in all stages of the plant life cycle, thus his designs celebrate plant form and features all year round. Copies of the original planting plan can be purchased from the gallery reception providing insight into the layout, and for those who want, hours of wandering round identifying plants in the garden-meets-meadow. Visiting in late May 2021, the perennials were reaching their early summer crescendo, with grasses gaining height and foliage creating a general lushness. The late summer and winter experience will of course be totally different, with grasses and seed-heads bronzing or frosted. Head Gardener, Mark Dumbleton, was busy working on the meadow and able to share his intricate knowledge on caring for the space.

At the far end of the field sits a structure known as the Radić Pavilion, designed by architect Smiljan Radić. It’s bold and other-wordly form sits as a contrasting backdrop to the softness of Piet’s planting.

Aside from the meadow, landscape design extends throughout Hauser & Wirth. The small courtyard between the gallery and shop is impactful with multi-stem trees, repeated grasses and blocks of perennials, yet understated with its looseness and casually minimal seating. A glimpse of the planting through the floor-length glass panels in the gallery made the outdoor view a work of art in itself.

On the main lawn, viewable on entering the gates, is an angular pond – currently being enjoyed by several large and impressive sculpture figures (‘Fountain’, by Nicole Eisenman). The H&W website notes the programme of changing sculpture in the grounds, so be sure to check the current exhibitions in each of the spaces before your visit.

At the time of writing (June 2021):

Oudolf Field is open Tue – Sun, 10 am – 5 pm.

Entrance to the gallery and garden is free, and donations to local charities are encouraged. Timed reservations are currently in place.

I’d recommend listening to the Podcast ‘Talk Art’ hosted by Russel Tovey and Robert Diament, who’s episode ‘Hauser & Wirth Somerset Exhibition, presented by BMW’ (26th May 2021) provides quirky and interesting background. It includes interviews with Dea Vanagan, Director of Hauser & Wirth Somerset, and Aileen Corkery, Director of Hauser & Wirth London. Spotify link here.

Top Tips For Beginner Gardeners

For the first blog on Rocket, it seemed fitting to start right at the beginning with a handful of suggestions for first-time gardeners.

Whether you’re looking to transform your outdoor space or just learn a bit about growing plants, being a beginner can be daunting. Gardening is a rewarding and mindful activity, but it also requires an open mind and often a ‘trial and error’ attitude! Remember that most of us, whether newbies or experienced green fingers, are always learning and evolving with our spaces. Read these top tips for a little inspiration and pointers to hopefully set you off in the right direction:

1.       Get to know your space.

Regardless of how long you’ve lived somewhere, it’s a good idea to spend time getting to know your garden or outdoor space before beginning gardening projects. By observing carefully, you’ll notice which are your sunny and shady spots, what sort of soil you have, and particular features or existing plants that attract wildlife. By doing this, you can begin work in harmony with the garden, choosing plants that suit the conditions and local wildlife.

2.       Start small.

When you’re ready to get started, new gardeners should be wary of investing in lots of plants before honing the green fingers. Plants in pots and containers are a good place to start, allowing you to get to know how they grow and behave, as well as how much time you can commit to looking after them! If you’re planning to grow edibles, try to resist buying the whole range, and select a couple of types of plug plants or seeds to get you going. Feeling overwhelmed can easily put you off, so try to pace yourself!

3.       Prioritise wildlife.

When you’re selecting plants, look out for those that are attractive to pollinators, helping to support bees and butterflies. If you’re tackling an overgrown garden, consider leaving a ‘wild area’ with a log pile and long grass in a secluded corner that the lawn mower can avoid, helping provide natural habitats. Opting for a more rustic style and less manicured look means you can still achieve a beautiful garden while ensuring it stays wildlife friendly. Check out easy installation wildflower lawns at WildflowerTurf.co.uk .

4.       Learn about your plants.

You don’t need to spend hours researching, but it’s helpful to make a note of what plants you’ve bought, or identify existing plants with an app or knowledgeable friend. Check how much water they like, what sort of position in your garden, and any pruning or feeding requirements. You’d be surprised how well some thrive in sheltered, shady spots, while others need full sun to flower or produce fruit. Understanding how to treat your plants gives them their best chance of survival.

5.       Go natural.

It doesn’t have to be difficult, but it makes a big different to biodiversity in your garden. Avoid harsh chemical pesticides and opt for natural fertilisers instead. Unnatural pesticides can inadvertently harm birds, hedgehogs and other wildlife who eat the slugs, snails and bugs you’re trying to eliminate. There are many natural methods to deter, rather than exterminate, such as ‘companion planting’ which send the ‘pests’ elsewhere, and the use of copper tape or barriers to re-direct slimy friends. More advice on organic gardening is provided at OrganicGarden.org and Thompson and Morgan.

6.       Have a plan in mind.

Even when you’re starting small and learning the ropes, it’s useful to consider an end goal when it comes to your garden, patio or balcony. If you decide on a style or colour scheme early on, it means that your vision can evolve while remaining cohesive as you add plants and features to the space.

If you need help with ideas for your own space, get in touch via Rocket’s contact page - we’d love to hear about your project.