Small Space Garden Design – Welcome to my Garden!

I’ve included photos from my own garden in posts from time to time, but I haven’t done a complete virtual tour since my last renovation in 2009. Ready for an update?

 The side yard view is still our favorite.

 

But the whole garden is shaping up nicely.

 

In January I replaced the original flagstone stepping stone and gravel path with flagstone set in DG. Although it’s not as artistic as the original (I mixed three different sizes of gravel and hand-set the largest), it IS much easier to keep free of debris. Placing high-maintenance hardscape under messy trees is a rookie mistake that I would never make with a client, but somehow my better judgment occasionally goes missing in my own garden.

 

 

I’ve continued to introduce bright splashes of color throughout the yard, both by adding colored panels and more containers. I still take a fearless approach to color, but admit to swapping out the original Purple Riot wall for a more subdued shade of acid green.

 

Five years ago I had three containers…today I counted 23. I might have been late to the container gardening craze, but I’m catching up with a vengeance. Succulents are my go to choice for spots not reached by drip, and as an added conservation bonus, the amount of excess shower water we collect in a week is more than enough to water all of them with.

There aren’t many places sunny enough for vegetables, but of course I make room for my favorite herbs and at least one cherry tomato.

 

 Overplanting is still a bit of an addiction for me. There really isn’t room for a Salvia ‘Amistad’ in front of the ‘Guardsman’ Phormium, but the carpenter bees have made it QUITE CLEAR it needs to stay.

 

Oh yeah, and the hummers like it, too.

 

A new fountain introduced this year has proven to be a HUGE hit with the birds. As many as four cutie pies at a time splash around here during the day. The flow rate is set low, and although the sound of water falling into the basin below is muted, it makes the fountain suitable for birds as small as hummers – as long as they are persistent.

 

Not everything has changed. Some of my favorite individual plants remain the same, including my most reliable fence tamer, flowering maple

 

And looooong blooming dwarf lion's tail.

The best thing about a garden that welcomes birds and bees? I might work at home most days, but I can always count on company. Thanks for visiting!

Comments

[sheila schultz]

Your gardens are more than inviting Susan, and I love the way your path begs to be followed! I knew you'd get the container bug ;) it's pretty addictive ;)

Now, now, Sheila, there's no need to gloat just because I'm a Johnny come lately. ;-) Glad you enjoyed the virtual tour!

[Christina Salwitz]

Susan,
Your little jewel box of a garden is just lovely! I wish I could be there to see it in person someday. I totally sympathize with the over planting tendency, guilty as charged here. :-)

I hope you can see it one day, too, Christina! I wonder if you like it because it reminds you a bit of your own little jewel box garden, which *l* hope to see someday.

[Pam/Digging]

Thanks for the garden tour, Susan. Your garden is beautiful, playful, and so welcoming. I smiled over your comment that the acid green wall is a subtler shade than the purple you had there before. The color is fabulous, but subtler? The jury is out. :-)

Aside from the bold use of color, which I have an affinity for too, I like how you worked it in on wooden panels (free-standing fences? I can't really tell), showing that you don't have to have masonry walls a la Tucson to introduce color into vertical surfaces. Might you show us sometime how those wooden panels are constructed and how they fit into the larger design of your garden? I'd love to know more.

I guess subtly is in the eye of the beholder. :-) I was inspired to repaint my Keeyla Meadow's garden. She is the master of fearless color, but I thought her use of lime green in her shade garden was bright without being over the top. Unfortunately the pots weren't chosen for this wall, but I have to draw the line at my recently diagnosed container addiction somewhere...

[jim/ArtofGardening.org]

Lovely Susan. Sometimes I wish each blogger that shows their garden had one of those overhead watercolor renderings of their gardens so it can be seen how it all fits together. I've thought about creating one for my own!
I did a sketch for a Fine Gardening article that was loosely based on my own garden, but I can't find it! I have an early version, though. I'll mark where the panels are (that's what Pam is interested in) and post on Facebook.

[Saxon]

And I was expecting photos of night lighting. ;-) loved the birds splashing
If I had the photography skills (and could wrestle the controller away from Nick long enough) you would DEFINITELY be seeing photos of the garden at night.

[Charlie@Seattle Trekker]

I love the bold color and sharp contrasts in your garden design. It is great looking and it really draws you in as a very comfortable spot to spend a bit of time.
Thank you, Charlie! We do spend a lot of time in the garden (there's a reason we choose thick cushions and lounge chairs with give instead of something more stylish, but less comfy).

[Laurin Lindsey]

I love your garden, it is beautiful and inviting! I love the black pottery against the colorful wall.

Laurin, thank you for your kind words!

[Jean]

Susan, your garden is delightful! I would love to make a path like that out to my gazebo. You said you started with flagstone set in gravel but then you changed it to "set in DG." What is DG?

Thank you, Jean! DG is decomposed granite - essentially very small granite fines (usually beige colored). They form a surfaced similar to hard packed dirt and while they can get a little muddy in winter, for the most part, they can be swept or blown when cleaning is necessary. Much less effort than gravel. A good, casual choice for dryer climates when an informal look is desired.