The challenge for more small space garden photos was answered! The first garden (above) is from Lily Jacobi.
"As per your small space challenge, this is a submission for a small space garden I designed and installed a few years ago. It was an absolutely delightful little garden, full of character and charm. The homeowner loved it greatly while she was there. Unfortunately a few years later, the property was sold and the new owner ripped everything out. So this garden lives on only in photos and memories."
Bonnie from Wisconsin shared her garden outside our new screen house. Connie sent us a small courtyard leading to the front of a house in a very challenging spot that, among other things, is visited by deer. The focal points are a fall blooming Camellia at the front door and a Forest Pansy Redbud in a corner. Shrubs include two Boxwoods (Justin Brouwer and Elegantissima), Abelia ‘Kaleidescope’, and dwarf Nandina. A Carex is used as edging, and herbaceous Peonies are inserted as colorful punctuations. Here's another one from Debby de Groot from Toronto (who's 'Right-Sized Done Right' photo last week started this whole discussion). One more from Debby!
Keep sending in photos, everyone! Whether you've never shared before or you've been featured multiple times, we want to see your garden! Email a few photos and the story behind your garden to [email protected].
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All these small space gardens are lovely and each, in its own way, provides 4 season interest... with interesting bushes (nandina and camellia), trees (birch and redbud), stonework, attractive fencing and fun objects of ornamentation. Something done well is always gratifying regardless of size.
So sad to hear that Lily's adorable garden was ripped out. I used to drive by a small front yard garden slowly. So great to see a lawn completely replaced. It too was ripped out by new owners. Wish people new to gardens would wait a year. They might find they don't miss mowing!
Gardens bring so much pleasure to so many of us. It doesn't matter whether they are small or large... they make us smile and bring peace to chaotic days. It's amazing what 'us gardeners' will do to bring a little green into our lives ;)
I felt a catch in my throat hearing that charming garden was torn out. Sigh....the photos were lovely. Connie's deer proof garden was perfect (and what's not to like about the enchanting forest pansy redbud tree). Debbie's repurposed garden bookcase was so fun. Small gardens reign!
Size does not keep a true gardener from achieving a beautiful space. Thank you all!
Connie, you sure do have a challenge. I hope the deer leave your restructured courtyard garden alone. Even when they don't like the taste of something, they can ruin it by using it as a scratching plant to remove the velvet from their horns. A deer repellent can be used quite successfully in small areas.
Lovely to see more photos of Debby's perfect little garden.
If it is any help, I have found that sprinkling cayenne pepper can deter the deer. You may have to apply it a few times but the deer get the message after a while. I have a redbud right in the deer track which has not been bothered at all in five years, so there is hope. Cherry trees and poplar are not so fortunate.
Also, and I know I keep saying this, plant daffodils anywhere you want flowers. Strangely, or not, as the daffs release substances unpalatable, this works.
We have many discussions of how we would survive without our big gardens and this goes to show that would could. True gardeners will always find a place to fill with delightful plants.Thank you all for showing us your delightful and fun gardens.
You know, this is such a great site for providing comforting thoughts and pictures! The small gardens are so creatively different and give me hope for when I need to downsize. I always tell my children that even if I just have a windowsill I'll never resist growing something. What does fill me with horror is leaving my garden and the possibility that someone will not only not appreciate all the work, but rip it all out. Excuse me whilst I have a nervous breakdown!
Thank you Connie, Bonnie, Debbie and Lily for your generosity in sending the photos.
Oh my goodness they are all beautiful. Some day I will need to downsize and you have shown me just how lovely a small garden can be. Also I have used cayenne pepper and planted daffodils to deter deer and squirrels too. It works great for me. Thank you to all who sent in their pictures. I love them all.
Comments
All these small space gardens are lovely and each, in its own way, provides 4 season interest... with interesting bushes (nandina and camellia), trees (birch and redbud), stonework, attractive fencing and fun objects of ornamentation. Something done well is always gratifying regardless of size.
Small gardens, and even small garden beds, can be a challenge. These are all great solutions. Thanks, all!
So sad to hear that Lily's adorable garden was ripped out. I used to drive by a small front yard garden slowly. So great to see a lawn completely replaced. It too was ripped out by new owners. Wish people new to gardens would wait a year. They might find they don't miss mowing!
Now, I would certainly Not Miss Mowing, although I confess to loving meadows.
Gardens bring so much pleasure to so many of us. It doesn't matter whether they are small or large... they make us smile and bring peace to chaotic days. It's amazing what 'us gardeners' will do to bring a little green into our lives ;)
I felt a catch in my throat hearing that charming garden was torn out. Sigh....the photos were lovely. Connie's deer proof garden was perfect (and what's not to like about the enchanting forest pansy redbud tree). Debbie's repurposed garden bookcase was so fun. Small gardens reign!
Size does not keep a true gardener from achieving a beautiful space. Thank you all!
Connie, you sure do have a challenge. I hope the deer leave your restructured courtyard garden alone. Even when they don't like the taste of something, they can ruin it by using it as a scratching plant to remove the velvet from their horns. A deer repellent can be used quite successfully in small areas.
Lovely to see more photos of Debby's perfect little garden.
If it is any help, I have found that sprinkling cayenne pepper can deter the deer. You may have to apply it a few times but the deer get the message after a while. I have a redbud right in the deer track which has not been bothered at all in five years, so there is hope. Cherry trees and poplar are not so fortunate.
Also, and I know I keep saying this, plant daffodils anywhere you want flowers. Strangely, or not, as the daffs release substances unpalatable, this works.
We have many discussions of how we would survive without our big gardens and this goes to show that would could. True gardeners will always find a place to fill with delightful plants.Thank you all for showing us your delightful and fun gardens.
You know, this is such a great site for providing comforting thoughts and pictures! The small gardens are so creatively different and give me hope for when I need to downsize. I always tell my children that even if I just have a windowsill I'll never resist growing something. What does fill me with horror is leaving my garden and the possibility that someone will not only not appreciate all the work, but rip it all out. Excuse me whilst I have a nervous breakdown!
Thank you Connie, Bonnie, Debbie and Lily for your generosity in sending the photos.
I loved seeing the small gardens. I always think of going bigger, but I see how charming and lovely the small spot can be. More please!
Oh my goodness they are all beautiful. Some day I will need to downsize and you have shown me just how lovely a small garden can be. Also I have used cayenne pepper and planted daffodils to deter deer and squirrels too. It works great for me. Thank you to all who sent in their pictures. I love them all.
That's wonderful, so glad our deterrent plans are working.
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