There are many of ways to enjoy flowers and greenery in tiny places like patios and terraces, whether you lack outside space or don’t want to put in the time and work to maintain an in-ground garden.
A patio garden takes more consideration than just arranging a few plant pots next to a chair. Consider framing, softening the edges, adding trails, and maximising the possibilities of your patio for a well-designed small space garden.
Creating an Outdoor Garden Room
You may transform your outside area into an outdoor room by separating your patio or terrace from your grass. You may do this by edging the patio with a border, putting elevated planters along the perimeter, or edging with containers. Here are some suggestions for each.
• Borders: With a boundary around your patio, you may have the best of both worlds. You have a real garden to work in, and you never have to leave the comfort of your living room. A border is thin, yet a lot may be done in such a tiny area. In addition to spilling plants like lady’s mantle and geraniums, you may construct height clusters using decorative grasses or tiny shrubs. If the boundary runs between the house and the patio, you may try your hand at espalier, which involves planting a fruit tree taught to rest flat against the house wall. The heat of the home combined with the openness of the branches results in a large yield in a short area.
• Built-ins: Along the periphery of many patio designs are built-in flower boxes. They help to define the area and offer extra seats. More significantly, they give a garden at eye level. You have all the benefits and control of container gardening, plus added insulation for your plant’s roots from brick or stone. Many plants will thrive in these conditions, but aromatic plants like roses, heliotrope, gardenias, jasmine, and sweet peas are particularly welcome.
• Containers: If you don’t have an edge border or built-in boxes, you may always use containers to get the appearance. Use a row of matching containers to simulate built-ins, or clusters of varying sizes and shapes filled with a variety of plant material.
Any of these alternatives will create a visible barrier between your living area and the rest of your property’s openness.
Planting Around a Patio Seating Area
The most important factor when placing plants around sitting areas is to give adequate room for them to grow. A table should have at least 3 feet on each side for guests to get into their seats. Also, while selecting plants, use your best judgement. Consider their growing pace and mature size. Some plants may be pruned, however little trees grow bigger and thorny plants should be maintained away from sitting places and pathways.
Using a Patio Garden to Add Privacy and Height
As previously noted, well-placed raised pots and containers may easily provide privacy on your patio or deck. Consider adding some height to your plants as well.
A trellis or latticework used as open fence is perfect for vines or climbing plants like clematis, honeysuckle, or morning glories. Cucumbers, for example, may be used to make an open wall that enables air to pass through but not prying eyes.
If your terrace is very bright or heated, you may want to consider erecting a pergola over at least a portion of it, giving you another planting area. Climbing hydrangea, jasmine, magnolias, camellias, and wisteria are all suitable plants for growing on a pergola.
Sound is another factor to consider when it comes to privacy. A relaxing sound, such as a water feature, rustling plants, or wind chimes, might serve to muffle other ambient sounds, such as traffic from a nearby road.
With all of these features in place, you’ll have a wonderful terrace or patio garden that enables you to enjoy the outdoors without spending a lot of time, money, or effort.
