Gardentopia: Design Basics for Creating Beautiful Outdoor Spaces

Garden for a Small Space

Tip 74:

If you have a small space and want a garden, the answer may be cascading greenery. Hanging plants, vines trained on railings, and narrow planters packed with small succulents and annuals offer ways to create a compact landscape on your balcony, deck, or raised terrace. There are many options . . .

The Graceful Sweep of a Curve

Tip 4:

The sweep of a curve lends a gracious air to a landscape. Your eye cannot help but follow it around. By laying out a plant bed or walkway in a strong, curving line, you invite people to explore. Use a curve with a single radius to create a visual impact. Graceful arcs reflect the forms we see in nature—flower petals, pine cones, leaves, and seashells. Stay away from curvy wiggles because they dilute the captivating “follow me” effect. An effective way to lay out an accurate curve for a plant bed is to . . .

Rosette Patterns Grab the Eye

Tip 100:

Plants with radial foliage always grab our attention in the garden. “Rosette” is the term used to describe a circular pattern of leaves that emerge out from the center with a wheel- like symmetry. A rosette plant usually has leaves that start near the ground. Several types of plants grow in this intriguing way . . .

Soften a Corner

Tip 16:

Sharp corners of walls, especially those constructed of stone or concrete, may appear harsh in a garden. A 90- degree corner casts what Chinese feng shui calls cutting chi, or what some call a poison arrow. If you stand in the aim of this energetic arrow you may not feel as serene and relaxed as you might otherwise feel.

To counteract this unwelcome effect, you can soften sharp corners of protruding walls by planting a clinging vine that adheres by discs or rootlets. Examples of this are . . .