Landscaping Information: Gardening in Small Spaces

There’s a big trend for baby boomers downsizing and some of the younger generations wanting their gardens to be more for entertainment or retreat. Gardeners with limited space should choose plants that will provide as much added value as possible, such as interesting bark, flowers, fruit, good fall color, fragrance as well as structure and texture. Limited space means the plants gardeners choose have both function and beauty, and it’s important to team shrubs with annuals, perennials, ornamental grasses as well as small trees and topiaries. In a small-scale garden

Capitalize on Containers

The popularity and versatility of container gardening is a trend that can work in any type of landscape, but is especially helpful in small outdoor spaces. There’s something about a container filled with plants of varying colors, textures, and forms that’s timelessly appealing and irresistible. With just a few plants, homeowners can transform even the smallest porch or patio. Uses containers as structural elements and landmarks to indicate the presence of a pathway, entrance or other strategic feature.

Hardy Water Plants:

Iris, rushes, cattail, sweet flag, ribbon grasses or other hollowed stemmed plants should be left in place. Do not cut back any foliage until spring. If these plants are cut back in the fall, the hollowed stems may fill with water and could rot the crown of the plants. Hardy marginal plants that are planted in a bog garden should be left in the garden all year. Winterizing potted marginal plants depends on the depth of your pond. If your pond is 18” or deeper, pots should be moved to the deepest end of the pond after the frost has killed the foliage. If your pond is less than 18” deep it is likely to freeze solid and the plants should be brought inside and set in a water tub.

Tropical Plants:

These plants must be removed from the pond before the first frost. They do best in a water temperature of 65-70 degrees. Umbrella palms, palms, papyrus, parrot feather, taro and canna are a few tropical plants that make nice house plants on a window sill or may be kept in a tub of water. Remove any dead foliage and all seed heads to help them make it through winter.

Oxygenators or Submerged Plants:

The oxygenators or submerged plants should be left fully submerged and weighted down at the deepest end of the pond. They must be kept under the ice line.