It may seem like there isn’t much you can do with a small landscaping space. However, there are lots of unique, easy ways to bring a smaller space to life. Ocean View Land Management has put together just a few ways to broaden your perspective on landscaping for tiny spaces:
Patios & Pergolas
Although it may not feel like it, small landscapes are great areas for structures like patios and pergolas. Like a tiny home, they can bring a sense of purpose and value to the space. They offer a place for people to sit and talk, almost like an outdoor living room, especially if you add furniture.
According to an article by Better Homes & Garden, the “power of perspective” really comes into play when you add a pergola to your landscape. Long, straight lines serve as an optical illusion of sorts, making the yard seem bigger than it is. “To take full advantage of this illusion, subtly slant the far ends of the lines toward one another and create a focal point that joins them together. This landscaping idea includes a fence that does the job and is enhanced by repeating rows of flowers and a pergola,” says Garden Editor Viveka Neveln.
Polyculture
Today, modern lawns follow a monoculture aesthetic, meaning that normally only one type of grass is planted. As clean as this look is, it may not be the healthiest or most efficient option for lawn care. Planting one type of grass can have negative effects, such as:
- Stripping the soil of vital nutrients, like nitrogen
- Lack of moisture maintenance
- Attracting pests
- Lack of biodiversity, such as bees, butterflies, or birds
The art of polyculture, or planting year-round plants that produce fruits, vegetables, flowers, and herbs, is a great alternative to the modern feel while making the most of a smaller space. According to the City of Cocoa’s Utilities Department, polycultures are more efficient, as they have more to offer the space. “Thus, they work together to balance their ecosystem so that everything can grow with greater success,” explains the department.
Diverse plants that bring life back to your space are:
- Clover: brings nitrogen back to the soil
- Pennywort and Ground Ivy: lock in soil moisture and help shade grass in sunny areas
- Neem and Chamomile: their scents naturally repel pests like aphids or mosquitoes
- Yarrow and Dandelion: encourages biodiversity and are weed-free
Lawn Alternatives
Along with polyculture, patios, and pergolas, there are alternative lawn options that will make a tiny yard seem 100 miles long. Layering flowers, shrubs, and other plants across the space gives the feeling that you’re in a meadow, rather than the suburbs or in front of an office. CWG Landscaping gives a few examples of plants that go well with this layered design:
- Sunshine mimosa
- Asiatic jasmine
- Perennial peanut
Another great idea to add instead of a lawn is a walking path. Staggering plants combined with the walking path as the focal point is a great alternative to a sterile lawn environment.
For more information, visit our Contact Us page to send questions or schedule an appointment.