A small, narrow garden bed is not a design dilemna, it's a creative design opportunity!
Do you have a small, narrow garden and crave style but lack design ideas?
Watch my garden makeover segment as seen on the Home & Family show!
I recently presented a garden makeover for a tiny garden bed that measures 12 feet long by 4.5 feet wide on the Home and Family show on the Hallmark channel.
The garden bed is in a key area because you see it from inside the dining room where we tape lots of interviews.
Such is the case with many small, narrow garden beds- they are difficult to ignore, especially when they are ugly!
This is the condition the garden bed was in before the makeover.
A neglected artichoke falls among the roses.
All of the plants in this garden bed were in bad shape and the area lacked a focal point.
I was determined to bring order to the garden by creating a focal point and an appropriate plant pallet.
The Garden Design Plan
- Create a multi-level garden with elements that are tall, medium and short but not too busy looking for a narrow garden bed.
- Create a focal point with an arbor that functions as a hanging plant support structure so plants hang down from it instead of growing up it.
- Create a sitting area with garden bench.
- Create a colorful garden using low maintenance plants that have an extended bloom time.
This is the opposite view where you can see that the yellow daisy topiary trees are not planted in the ground, but in containers!
When planting a small space area, use containers to raise the level of accent plants and free the ground for other plants.
Arbor and Hanging Garden Details
Notice how the vinca major vine sits above the arbor and hangs down along the front like a pair of curtains?
This gives the arbor "instant coverage" and softens the look of the structure.
The area under the arch creates a framed alcove for the hanging plants that hang at different levels.
There is also a hanging metal planter on the lattice in the background for additional depth.
Hanging Plants From the Arbor
I selected three main plants and a few accent plants to hang and plant in the ground.
Small space gardens should have less variety of plants and more of each variety.
Less is more.
Thank you to HortCouture for the beautiful selection of plants!
Geranium Glitterati, "Ice Queen"
On the arbor, I hung a stylish geranium with scarlet orange flowers and green and white variegated leaves, called, "Ice Queen."
It is a cross between a zonal and ivy leaf geranium.
What makes "Ice Queen" different from other geranium varieties is more vigor, garden performance, and they have much more flowers!
I planted these geraniums in the ground, underneath the arbor to create a multi level effect and grow as a ground cover.
"Ice Queen" will be available in 2015 at independent garden centers across the country.
I have the good fortune of being able to preview these plants!
Petunia, "Glamouflage Grape"
Also hanging from the arbor and planted at the foot of bench is the glowing annual, Petunia, "Glamouflauge Grape."
I like how the petunia looks next to the broken ceramic mosaic stepping stone made by Kenneth Wingard on the Home and Family Show.
This special petunia has a vibrant purple flower on striking cream and green variegated foliage.
The variety does great in sun or partial shade, in baskets or mixed containers.
Petunia, Glamouflage Grape grows about 8 inches tall and spreads up to 12 inches wide.
Paired with lavender, this petunia has very good heat and drought tolerance.
Detail Plants in the Small, Narrow Garden
Yellow daisy trees, and pink petunias in wall planters round out the plant selection.
Maintaining a Hanging Garden
- Mulch to keep weeds down
- Water the hanging plants when the soil feels dry to touch
- Fertilize with a diluted solution every week to promote new flowers.
- Pinch off spent blooms to encourage new ones to grow.
- Rotate hanging baskets for even sun exposure
More Narrow Garden Beds
Beyond the area where the arbor sits are more narrow garden beds along the Home & Family house.
I planted these beds with matching plants to add continuity to the back of the house.
Upright rosemary, (growing against lattice) geraniums, petunias, lavender and a fragrant, David Austin English rose tree fit into narrow garden beds.
EdenMaker, Shirley Bovshow
EdenMaker, Shirley Bovshow next to her small, narrow garden bed makeover.
I hope you enjoyed this detailed account of my project.
Please leave your questions below and watch my garden segments on the Home & Family show, weekdays at 10AM PST on the Hallmark channel!
Shirley
Thank you for visiting EdenMakers!
Wow! You did a great job. I love all of the color you brought to the scene. I especially liked the 'Yellow Daisy Trees' and of course the 'Ice Queen Geraniums'. I can see the 'Ice Queens' being a big hit. Thank you so much for all of the tips!
Thank you!
With such a garden, I'd be staying in that bed all day long if I'm at home! For sure, you will get to breath fresh air and smell sweet fragrances. And with your eyes alone, you can soak the colours in. The transformation is amazing so, great job!