Epic Garden

An epic garden is easily accomplished in a small space. Residing in a planned unit development or in a condo with a balcony or small yard does not mean you cannot have a beautiful garden. There are many homeowners who downsize to a smaller home to reduce the weekly and monthly maintenance and the costs associated with a larger yard. Often times homes with large yards will require a gardener or landscaper to perform the maintenance which can be costly. And having a large yard will require more watering which can be another consideration, especially if you a reside in a water sensitive area.

Creating a gorgeous garden requires some planning and on the types of plants that you want to surround yourself with, and and the look. Flowering plants always look pretty, but some do require maintenance and fertilizing to keep the plants happy and healthy.

Plants are especially important in densely populated areas. Utilizing plants will soften the hard lines of city landscapes and can also be utilized to hide an unsightly view.

Low Maintenance vs High Maintenance

If you are wanting a garden which is a low maintenance garden, consider choosing slow-growing evergreen plants. Plants which require more maintenance are perennials which need cutting back and roses which require more maintenance including feeding, pruning and cutting off the dead flowers.

Seasonal annual flowers are so pretty and add so much color. Annual flowers might include pansies, petunias, marigolds, lobelia, and ageratum. It is fun to create flower baskets with annual flowers and mixing the colors and the textures.

One of my favorites is to plant marigolds which are a bit taller and surround with ageratum which is a rich blue. Annual flowers do have to be replaced more often and as the flowers die off, they need to be removed to allow for new growth. Annual flowers will last a few months and can be planted around evergreen plants to add color.

Consider the Sun Exposure

All plants require sunlight in order to grow, but some require less than others when creating an epic garden. Some plants are considered full sun, and some require less. When purchasing plants at a nursery, you can see they are located in either full shade areas, partial shade or full sun. Depending on the plant, that requires full sun will need about 6 hours a day, part sun plants need approximately 3-6 hours per day of sunlight, and part shade plants need protection from the mid-day sun, and full shade should be grown in full shade. Otherwise, if shade plants are left out in the mid-day sun, they can burn.

A partial shade plant the Hydrangea can be a little tricky to grow, but with the correct lighting, they will flourish. If they have too much shade, then they will not produce too many flowers.

Another personal favorite of mine is the Staghorn Fern and they are very slow growing and generally are hung on a wall. They are generally planted in moss baskets and do require shade and water. Additionally, these plants can be sensitive to the wind!

Utilize Small Containers

Plants in containers can be used to fill areas with color when needed. Utilizing hanging baskets and window boxes adds color. If the area has a patio cover, hanging baskets can add so much to your garden. Utilize moss baskets with different types of plants such as ferns, cyclamen, and lobelia to create color. Be sure to consider the sun exposure as the moss baskets do require more watering. Evaluate the drainage as when you water, it will run out and if you are upstairs and there are neighbors below, you will want to ensure the water does not drain into their space. With the containers, make sure there is a hole in the bottom for drainage.

Container gardening is very popular now and you can utilize unique containers to create dimension and a unique look. With a drought, many areas are using drought-resistant plants such as succulents. Succulents can be framed into a wall hanging which creates beautiful live wall art!

Other containers which can be utilized are strawberry pots, freestanding containers such as terracotta pots, hanging containers, and wall-mounted containers that can be utilized to create an epic garden.

Add Art in the Garden

Most nurseries will have some type of garden art that can accessorize your epic garden. Consider adding a garden sculpture, outdoor glass art, decorative bird feeder, glass birdbath, or utilizing a decorative iron lantern that can sit on a small table or ledge. Garden art can also be cute containers or utilize a bird bath as a planter. If you collect shells or sea glass, put them a beautiful glass container with all the colorful sea glass to be displayed.

Tikis are also very popular if you are going for a tropical style theme!

Add a Water Feature

Depending on the size of the area, adding a small water feature adds so much to your epic garden. Whether you select bubbling rock water feature or a small fountain, there are many water features available for all tastes and in all different price points.

The sounds of water may mask noise such as road noise and at the same time provide a soothing atmosphere. Another benefit of a water feature is the water recirculates, and they just need to be refilled from time to time. They do require some maintenance to ensure the filter stays clean!

Ensuring Your Garden is Safe for Pets

If you have pets, then you will want to consider which plants to avoid, if a pet will have access to the area. There are many plants and flowers that can have adverse effects on pets including dogs and cats. So before you begin creating a gorgeous garden, if you have pets, be sure to take into account the plants which can be toxic to pets.

This is a list of some of the plants that can be toxic to dogs and/or cats and includes the following:

• Aloe Vera
• Hydrangeas
• Lilies
• Jade Plant
• Daffodils
• Dieffenbachia
• Sago Palms
• Tulips
• Oleander
• Cyclamen
• Chrysanthemum
• Ivy
• And more!!

I have seen many yards with Sago Palms and they are very popular and add to the landscaping of a home. The seeds can get into the pet’s water and cause illness, so exercise caution when selecting plants for your garden.

Be sure to contact your vet for a complete list!

Final Thoughts

Even though you have small space does not mean you cannot have a garden that will be enjoyed. Growing plants and maintaining a garden is therapeutic and seeing the result of your effort is always beneficial. Plants that are tended to and flowering plants add so much to even a small area.

Find Other Valuable Resources for “How to Create an Epic Garden in a Tiny Space” from Real Estate Professionals Across the Country. Please check out the articles below, and please share across Social Media if you liked the articles.

June Gardening Tips via Eileen Anderson, Farmington Valley Realtor

Kitchen Gardening for Beginners via Xavier DeBuck, Luxury Homes in Johannesburg

Preparing Your Home to Sell via Michelle Gibson, Wellington Home Team

Ways to Improve Curb Appeal via Jeff Nelson, Live Gulf Shores Local

4 Low-Cost Tips to Increase Home Value via Bill Gassett, Maximum Real Estate Exposure

About the Author

The above real estate article “How to Create an Epic Garden in a Tiny Space” was written by Sharon Paxson of Newport Beach Real Estate. With combined experience since 2005 with representing sellers, buyers, landlords, and tenants, we welcome the opportunity to share our knowledge and expertise and guide you through your real estate transaction.

We service the following Orange County CA areas: Corona del Mar, Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Newport Coast, Orange, Santa Ana, Sunset Beach, Tustin and more! If you are considering selling your home, we welcome the opportunity to work with you and list your home with a top Newport Beach CA Realtor.