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South facing garden design ideas


South-facing garden ideas: 15 ways to make the most of a sun-filled plot

(Image credit: Jo Alderson Design)

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Sun-filled and sought-after, south-facing garden ideas are on everyone’s wish list and our clever solutions will help you make the most of your outside space. From planting to planning, styling to shade tips there’s plenty of inspiration for backyards of every shape and size. 

If you live in the northern hemisphere, the beauty of a south-facing garden is the amount of sun it receives. From first thing in the morning until early evening you can sit, relax, and bask in those warm rays. 

But how can you perfect your garden layout ideas for this type of plot, plus which plants will grow and thrive in these sun-drenched conditions and just how can you create shade where and when needed? Well, we’ve got plenty of green-fingered know-how and inspiration to help, but also have clever ideas to share on how to take advantage of such a desirable plot.  

South-facing garden ideas: 15 looks for your space 

From Mediterranean-inspired spaces, stunning planting ideas and clever ways to create shade in a sun-drenched spot, we've brought together some of our favorite south-facing garden ideas below to help you get inspired.

1. Fall for the charms of a gravel garden

The gravel garden at Beth Chatto Gardens

(Image credit: Beth Chatto Gardens)

Garden gravel ideas are ideal if you're searching for practical but pretty south-facing garden ideas. Suitable for sunny, free-draining plots, they are largely low maintenance. Perfect for sprawling ground cover and ideal as the basis for for nectar-rich flowers adored by pollinators, they make inspiring and ever-changing spaces that can cope well with plenty of sunshine and periods of drought. 

Gravel is an incredibly versatile material and can be used for everything from your garden path ideas to rockeries, adding interest and texture to all areas of your garden.

At the pioneering Beth Chatto Gardens in Essex, England, gravel gardens form a key part of the layout and planting scheme and have been used to great effect. 'All the plants in this part of the gardens have been selected for their drought tolerance,' explains head gardener Asa Gregers-Warg. 'Gravel paths weave through drifts and asymmetrical groups of perennials and shrubs; annual self-seeders contribute to the natural, relaxed feel and are allowed to fill empty gaps; repetition of color, shape and form helps guide the eye through the planting and ensures harmony, while contrasting colors, shapes and textures bring the different characteristics to the fore and enhance each other.'

2. Position a greenhouse to get the sun

Hartley Planthouse greenhouse from Hartley Botanic

(Image credit: Hartley Botanic)

The angle and siting of your greenhouse ideas plays a huge part in how much sun it receives and how well different plants will crop and thrive. A spot to the south of the house is ideal, as the building will bask in the sun most of the day and receive maximum daylight and warmth even during the colder seasons. This is crucial if you wish to overwinter tender plants such as agaves, plumbago and tree ferns. 

It can also help massively when growing summer crops. Align the greenhouse ridge north-to-south to provide equal amount of sun on both sides and help reduce overheating too. For lean-to designs and shed-glasshouse combinations, place the glazed area facing south, with a wall to the north for protection.

Not sure what to grow in a greenhouse? Our month-by-month guide has the answers. 

3. Nurture a herb garden

A herb garden filled with marjoram, lavender and mint

(Image credit: Rex May/Alamy)

Sun-filled south-facing garden ideas are perfect if you're keen to learn how to create a herb garden. After all, what could be more pleasurable than enjoying the scent and sight of these easy-going plants in your own backyard? Most herbs are happy left to their own devices, providing they are in free-draining soil, plus you can enjoy harvesting them and using them in your cooking.  

Devoting garden space to herbs is not solely for our benefit either, as herb expert Jekka McVicar of Jekka's herb farm explains, 'I have noticed that gardens are becoming much more natural in style, which is likely a reflection of the increased awareness of our role in nature, the impact of climate change and the rise in the vegan diet.'

4. Dine under a leafy pergola...

Pembrey table and Harrington chairs from Neptune

(Image credit: Neptune)

Shade is all important in south-facing garden ideas. Blessed with sun for most of the day, these gardens can be scorching hot around midday, so creating a shady escape is essential. 

Take a tip from Mediterranean garden ideas and create a cool, leafy-covered dining area to share with friends. A place to kick back and savor delicious food and chilled drinks, it ideally needs to be large enough to fit a dining table, surrounded by comfy chairs and to remain in shadow while the sun moves round.  

Sturdy pergola ideas are the simplest framework to erect and can easily be covered with the best climbing plants and vines. Whilst grape vines are the staple choice in warmer climes there are plenty of gorgeous varieties that are happier in cooler, more changeable conditions. 

Clematis montana, wisteria and climbing hydrangeas are all fast growing and will provide ample shade as well as beautiful blooms. Once the main cover plant is established, why not introduce some seasonal variety with colorful clematis, honeysuckle and annuals such as Morning glory and black-eyed Susan. 

5. ...or plant mature trees for shade

Garden designed by Joanne Alderson Design

(Image credit: Joanne Alderson Design)

Trees are nature’s sunshades and can make enchanting additions to exposed south-facing garden ideas as designer Joanne Alderson explains: 'I decided to introduce mature trees into my own garden as being south facing it can get red hot. The idea of the trees is to create natural shade which looks beautiful, does not get moldy in the way that parasols and sail shades can do, and birds flit in and out as we sit beneath. Being mature they did the job instantly; although they were expensive, I still feel they are definitely worth the cost.' 

Weighing well over a tonne each, installing and planting these mature trees was definitely a major project. 'Specialists were employed to plant the trees and they used tele handlers and experience to place them. Each is secured using tensile steel wires and planted in organic compost with a timed irrigation system,' she adds. 

Not got the space or budget for large trees like this in your plot? Find something suitable with our guide to the best trees for small gardens. 

6. Try growing exotic veg 

Try growing chilli plants in a pot on your patio

(Image credit: The Flower Council)

Capitalize on a hot and sunny spot by raising some exotic fruit and vegetables in your south-facing garden ideas. Peppers, aubergines, sweetcorn, snap peas and cucumbers all originate from tropical climes, and given water and nutrients will thrive happily in these conditions. 

Tomatoes and peppers do need time to establish and crop though, so it’s best to plant out as well-established seedlings, once any frosts have safely passed. 

If you've never considered how to grow chillies, why not add them to your planting list for your kitchen garden ideas this year too? Homegrown chillies are super rewarding to grow, and the longer they grow for the hotter they taste. Highly decorative and coming in a range of bright colors, they will flourish in pots or borders. For best results, pinch out shoots to encourage branching and fruits to set and once these establish, treat them to a weekly dose of high potash tomato fertilizer.

7. Choose the right plants for a south-facing garden

Mediterranean climate garden with drought-tolerant plants and Salvia nemorosa adding splashes of color

(Image credit: Alamy)

Want a plant-filled plot that looks stunning but needs minimal attention? Then take inspiration from those hot holiday travels. Many of the aromatic and colorful plants we savor and love from Mediterranean climates are happy to put down roots in our south-facing garden ideas. Here are some of our favorites:

8. Feast on soft fruit 

Strawberries are easy to grow in a sunny spot

(Image credit: The Flower Council)

If you're lucky enough to have a warm, sunny plot or patio then make some room for fruit trees and bushes in your south-facing garden ideas. Blueberries, strawberries, blackcurrants and blackberries can all be raised very easily and produce supremely tasty crops too. These plants don’t need to take up much space either, so are a brilliant option if you're interested in growing fruit in pots. 

'With gardens becoming smaller there is more demand now for fruits that can be grown in containers,' says Jon Munday, Nursery Manager at Blackmoor Nurseries. 'Like the new Raspberry Yummy that has been bred with this in mind.' But don’t think that berries and fruit bushes are your only option either. 'The main trend for fruit trees is the trained espalier and fan shape trees as these can be planted against garden wall ideas or a fence and take up very little space,' he adds. 

Our guide on the best fruit trees to grow in pots has plenty more suggestions for you to try. 

9. Give prairie-style planting a go

This prairie-style garden is packed with grasses and perennials

(Image credit: Sussex Prairie Gardens)

If you love plants and laid-back style, then take inspiration for your south-facing garden ideas from the dreamy prairie style of planting. Seas of swaying ornamental grasses and flowers, interwoven with pockets of color and texture form a beautiful, ever-changing scene that can be successfully scaled down from vast large garden ideas to a single border in smaller spaces. 

10. Bring your plot alive with a water feature

A striking water feature is a lovely addition to a south-facing garden

(Image credit: Garden House Design)

Whether it’s moving or still, water is a great way to inject life into an outdoor space, particularly when the sun can bounce and reflect off the surface. There are endless ways to use water feature ideas in the garden and each can bring a different quality. 

Large shallow water bowls cast a calm and tranquil air with their expansive reflections. Place them in the center of paving or mount them on a simple plinth, sit back and admire the surroundings and the scudding clouds overhead. 

For a more dynamic effect, a straight-sided rill filled by water falling over a water blade is a contemporary look for garden pond ideas. As shown in this project, the strong, clean lines make a stunning contrast to natural, loose planting, instantly adding structure and drama. 

Wall-hung fountains, babbling water tables and tumbling water walls are other stylish options, all will add varying degrees of movement and sound without taking up large amounts of space.

11. Add coastal touches to a sun-filled spot

Railway sleeper steps give this south-facing coastal garden added interest. It's planted with wildflowers and annuals for a more natural look

(Image credit: Alamy)

Capitalize on a light and sunny garden by introducing some mood-boosting seaside style to your south-facing garden ideas. With their distinct planting and array of distressed and worn natural materials, these character-filled spaces ooze laid-back charm and make a bold visual statement all year round. 

Many coastal plants tend to have thin strappy leaves leaves – such as Crocosmia, Sea Thrift or marram grass – to help cope with the exposed and salty conditions. They also happen to look spectacular next to silver-leaved beauties such as sea kale, eryngium and vibrant valerian, that are often found along pebble beaches and shorelines. Plant in distinct clumps, nestle in free draining, gravelly soil and allow to self-seed freely for a natural and informal feel. 

Chunks of driftwood – smoothed by sand or deeply grooved by the elements – make perfect statement structures. Look for ways to incorporate them into your design. Steps, decks and raised garden bed ideas are impressive but do require substantial amounts of timber. Instead opt for edging beds, framing gates and doorways or a series of standing monoliths within garden borders or gravelled areas.

12. Make the most of solar power

Edinburgh USB solar festoon lights from The Solar Centre

(Image credit: The Solar Centre)

With south-facing gardens receiving the most sunlight, it makes sense to harness the energy with solar-powered features. Water features and outdoor lighting ideas are two obvious uses, and include everything from floating fountains, freestanding cascades to wall-hung fountains. 

Solar lighting options are not just limited to decorative festoon light ideas and fairy lights, but deck lights, drive and path markers and pond lights too. 

There are numerous, less obvious uses for solar power in the garden too. Irrigation systems are one, and these include an energy control panel, battery and pump which can be set up to take water from a water butt through a series of drippers or seeper pipes to water pots, baskets and borders. 

Solar panels can also be added to your shed ideas to power lights and radios, but the exciting prospect for the future lies in solar glazing. Currently a costly investment, it works by harvested energy directly from the glass – ideal for greenhouses – and converts it into useful power that can be used for heating crops and raising seedlings.

13. Optimise the shadows

Moucharabiya large garden screen from Screen With Envy

(Image credit: Screen With Envy)

Fretwork screens make eye-catching garden features in any space, but the beauty of using these cutwork pieces in south-facing garden ideas is the ever-changing shadows they cast. 

Whether used to create garden privacy ideas or as a way of elegantly breaking up the space in long garden ideas, they will let light filter through and can add pattern and interest as subtly or dramatically as you wish. 

Choose from small scale, repeated patterns to run across the top of fencing panels to form a narrow band of interest or go for full-height, freestanding panels with large individual motifs or staggered designs to create a sense of movement across the space.  

14. Grow sun-loving grasses for movement and texture

Ornamental grasses will add height and interest to sun-drenched garden borders

(Image credit: Meadowgate Nursery)

Looking for plants that will look good and thrive in a sunny spot? You can’t beat ornamental grasses. Adding height, graceful movement and a soothing rustle in a breeze they are surprisingly easy to look after and, if you plan well, can provide interest all year round. Used either side of a lawn like in the above space, they can be a striking choice for garden edging ideas too. 

Choose from evergreen beauties such as strappy carex, spiky festucas and light and feathery deschampsia or theatrical perennials such as miscanthus with tall brown silky tassels or Panicum virgatum 'Northwind' with its green-grey foliage fading to orangey yellow in Autumn. 

Don't forget, you can find tons of expert tips on how to grow ornamental grasses in our guide. 

15.

Harness the heat with your decor ideas

Karu four-seater set from Dobbies

(Image credit: Dobbies)

Need to spice up your patio ideas? Be bold with your styling and team beautiful wooden furniture with a strong pattern, hot colors and large, luscious foliage for seductive Moroccan style. 

This space shows how to get the look just right, but do tweak the ingredients to add your own flair. These mono outdoor tiles with petal design make a lively but not too fussy backdrop for the mix of wood garden fence ideas and eye-catching ochre wall. 

For plants, aim for those with large, glossy green leaves such as fatsia, banana plants, chusan palms and phormiums. Consider moving large pot plants outside during warm weather to add to the lush feel and pile on the throws and cushions for extra luxury.

What can I plant in a small south facing garden?

Aeonium arboreum varieties planted in a border create an exotic vibe in this small south-facing garden

(Image credit: Alamy)

Succulents and sedums are perfect for small borders in south-facing garden ideas. Their sculptural shapes and arrange of colors – from deep burgundy, rust red to fresh green and white stripes will add plenty of interest to small garden ideas. 

Aeoniums are spectacular for their tall and unusual freeform shapes, sporting fleshy rosettes at the end while tiny stonedrops dazzle with their silver leaves and gold flowers. 

Sempervivums or houseleeks grow happily with little soil or root system, making them handy for covering paths, gravel and brickwork, while larger sedums – now known as hylotelephium – add height and bulk to borders and gravel gardens, providing valuable nectar for pollinators late into the year too.

Jill puts her love of plants and all things garden related down to the hours spent pottering around with her Nan and Grandad when she was little. Today she is lucky enough to have a garden of her own in Surrey, England, and spends much of her time writing about them too. 

How to embrace a sun-filled backyard |

(Image credit: Nils Timm Visuals)

If your garden faces south, it will benefit from south facing garden ideas, and blooms will bask in sunlight from dawn to dusk.  

When making planting choices, you’ll have a whole spectrum of garden ideas to choose from. The most colorful annuals, perennials and shrubs all love a sunny spot, as do deliciously scented roses and climbers.

To truly enjoy the garden, plan in seating in the shadier areas where you can look out over a tranquil scene during long, hazy summer days.  

South facing garden ideas

(Image credit: Manolo Langis)

Start with a checklist of how you’ll use the garden when considering garden decor ideas. Do you want a spot for lounging, a bench to catch the evening sun or somewhere for the kids to play?

The back of the house will be in full sun, so how about a shaded terrace for outdoor dining? Are you a keen gardener or do you need a plot that’s easy to maintain? Is a shed, a greenhouse or a summerhouse a must? Jot your ideas down on a scale plan.

2. Plant for summer color

Photo by Sabita Sahu on Unsplash

(Image credit: Sabita Sahu/Unsplash)

There’s nothing more summery than blowsy peonies, such as the delicately pale pink Paeonia lactiflora 'Sarah Bernhardt' or the deep red 'Karl Rosenfield', in flower from June to July.

Other perennials include Lady’s mantle Alchemilla mollis, with frothy yellow flowers above its distinctive leaves and Geranium × oxonianum 'Wargrave Pink' for pretty pink blooms. Back them up with summer bedding.

3. Look after a hot border

(Image credit: Future)

When considering how to plan a garden, it's important to remember that some plants are adapted to thrive in the heat, whereas others need a little more help.

When putting in new plants, adding compost or manure will get them get off to a good start. Then mulch with a good layer of bark or pebbles to help prevent water from evaporating. Give plants a long drink the evening before a heatwave, and water again in the early morning.

Better still? Layer your border with taller planting that can cast some shade on the flowers below, as in the garden above.

4. Fill gaps in beds

(Image credit: Jonathan Buckley/Sarah Raven)

They’re only here for a season, but annuals are the jewels of a south-facing summer garden.

A few trays of plug plants or a sprinkling of seeds will fill out beds and borders and adorn patio pots, containers and window boxes. For added impact, try opposites on the color wheel, such as setting spicy Calendula officinalis 'Indian Prince', against the vivid blue of the cornflower Centaurea cyanus 'Blue Boy'.

Consider drought-resistant plants, such as lavender and verbena (above) too, which will require little maintenance in the sunniest of spots.

5. Find space for a rose

(Image credit: David Austin Roses)

No garden is complete without a rose. There are rose garden ideas for every sunny spot, and some that can tolerate partial shade, too.

Choose repeat-flowering shrub roses to fill out a border, climbing roses to decorate a wall, ramblers to scramble over an arch, or hybrid tea roses for exquisite flowers. 

For an abundance of blooms, feed and mulch roses in early spring, before the leaves are fully open. Repeat-flowering roses benefit from dead-heading and a second feed in mid summer.

6. Bring in fragrance

(Image credit: Leigh Clapp)

Lavender rejoices in a well-drained spot where it can lap up the sun. Whether planted as an extended border for drama, or simply in a pot by the door, it will release its fragrance as you brush past, making it the perfect choice in a sensory garden.

Fancy a change from the much-loved English lavenders Lavandula Angustifolia Hidcote and Munstead? Try the French lavender, Lavandula stoechas Fairy Wings pink. Its perky wings will make quite a show.

7. Follow the sun

(Image credit: Leigh Clapp)

A south-facing plot gets a lot of sun throughout the day. The far boundary wall or fence faces north, which will be the shadiest spot, making it a good place for climbers that prefer to have their roots in the shade, such as clematis.  

The climbing Hydrangea anomala subsp. Petiolaris does well in a challenging spot. For a curtain of year-round greenery there are plenty of living wall ideas to choose from.

8. Sit out a heatwave

(Image credit: Future)

In the heat of the day, it’s good to have a little shelter from the sun. Garden shade ideas range from permanent garden structures to more flexible solutions, such as a parasol or a shade sail, which can be fixed to walls, trees, fences or posts. 

9. Get the cottage core vibe

(Image credit: Ian Kirkland/Unsplash)

Quintessential cottage garden ideas paint a pretty picture in an exuberant mix of colors.

Plant Hollyhocks, delphiniums and lupins for height. Supply support for taller plants, putting in canes to encourage sweet peas in their upward journey. Phlox and pinks are a pretty addition to the front of a border. 

10. Plant bee-friendly plants

(Image credit: Future/Val Corbett)

Bees and their butterfly companions are always on the lookout for pastures new. Help them out by looking out for wildlife garden ideas and by devoting part of your patch to a wild flower meadow.

Clear and rotovate the ground, then rake before sowing seeds. You can get ahead by sowing in seed trays in autumn, then planting them out as plugs in April. 

11. Escape to a hideaway

(Image credit: Future / Darren Chung)

What could be lovelier than a garden building that captures the imagination?

Positioned at the end of the garden, a cedar-roofed summerhouse, gazebo, treehouse or even a shepherd’s hut acts as a focal point and provides welcome shade. Or go a step further and build a folly.

These structures make wonderful focal points and are ideal if you are looking to increase opportunities for shade or searching for garden privacy ideas.

12. Dine outside

(Image credit: Subzero Wolf)

Catering al fresco can be easy with smart outdoor kitchen ideas, from a simple barbecue to a more complex restaurant-style kitchen with pizza ovens, worktops and sinks.

A sheltered spot away from the wind and sun is ideal. Get in the holiday spirit with modular furniture and a bar table that can be extended with further pieces.

13. Grow your own fruit and veg

(Image credit: Future / Mark Bolton)

It’s a proud moment when you crop nature’s bounty from your very own plot. Whether you are looking for kitchen garden ideas, or merely planning to grow from a couple of stylish containers, a south-facing garden offers you the perfect orientation for a bumper crop. 

Raised garden bed ideas let you crop home-grown lettuces without bending. You can try your hand at apples, cherries, pears and plums, grown in large containers, too.

14. Use containers to tell a story

(Image credit: Ali Allen/Jacquie Melville/Nassima Rothaker)

South-facing gardens are perfect if you are considering container gardening ideas. From the glories of an avenue of trees in huge planters to the charm of a terracotta pot on the doorstep.

For a riot of color, fill patio containers generously with bright summer bedding plants, including nasturtiums or ivy to spill over the edges. More subtle yet equally effective is a single-color scheme, throwing the emphasis onto the planters. 

15. Take to the prairie

(Image credit: Future / Annaick Guitteny)

Look out on your very own savannah with smart flower bed ideas. Ornamental grasses love a south-facing garden and including clumps of several varieties makes for an interesting landscape.

Try Stripy zebra grass Miscanthus sinensis 'Zebrinus', frothy Deschampsia cespitosa tufted hair grass, or the red toned Panicum virgatum 'Rehbraun' switch grass.

16. Plant aromatic herbs

(Image credit: Future / Mark Bolton)

With herbs by the kitchen door, the busy cook can nip out for a quick snip whenever a recipe needs pepping up.

For the flavors of the Med, plant marjoram, oregano, sage and thyme in full sun. Rosemary rewards with pink, blue or white flowers, as well as aromatic leaves. 

17. Create an outdoor living room

(Image credit: Little Greene)

With smart outdoor living room ideas, there's no reason your outdoor space can’t be as welcoming as your living room, especially if you invest in a structure with a roof for shade.

A comfy sofa is a must. Unless you’ve picked furniture designed to sit out all year round, bear in mind that you’ll need indoor storage space for over winter.

18. Look after the lawn

(Image credit: Charlotte Rowe)

An emerald green lawn that’s the envy of your neighbours does require some upkeep but it’s well worth the effort.

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS)  recommends feeding the lawn in mid-spring when the soil is moist or when rain is expected, and again between late spring and late summer if it starts looking lacklustre. 

19. Sit back and relax

(Image credit: Future / Mark Bolton)

Above all, a garden is an opportunity to take stock and connect with nature. With that in mind, the best advice of all is to find a shady spot for a bench, settle down with a cup of tea or glass of wine and spend an hour or two doing absolutely nothing at all.

For those shady spots in your south-facing garden, north-facing garden ideas will help you create beautiful features in places where plants struggle to thrive.

Lifestyle journalist Sarah Wilson has been writing about gardens since 2015. She's written for Gardeningetc.com, Livingetc, Homes & Gardens, Easy Gardens and Modern Gardens magazines. Her first job on glossy magazines was at Elle, during which time a visit to the legendary La Colombe d'Or in St-Paul-de-Vence led to an interest in all things gardening. Later as lifestyle editor at Country Homes & Interiors magazine the real pull was the run of captivating country gardens that were featured. 

Economical design of a garden plot - interesting DIY ideas

It is not always possible to make financial investments in building a house and ennobling the territory at the same time. In a situation where you have to make a choice, priority, of course, is given to a residential building. But this does not mean that the landscape should remain undeveloped. There are simple ways to decorate the site in an original way without spending a lot of money.

Contents

Site layout

It is most convenient to draw up a site plan during a visual inspection. To do this, you just need to go out into the yard, walk around the territory and analyze its condition. The most illuminated and shady places, lowlands and hills are taken into account. Inspection and highlighting the features of the land allotment will help to divide it into main zones: a vegetable garden, a garden, auxiliary buildings (garage, barn), a place of rest and other objects necessary in a particular situation.

How to plan for light levels:

Most of the land allotment is allocated for a garden and a vegetable garden, and the rest of the territory, free from technical structures, can be occupied by recreation areas surrounded by flower beds and decorative landscape details.

Drawing up a work plan

To better imagine the picture of the upcoming work, it is recommended to start by clearing the area of ​​debris, dry grass and weeds. Freed from excess, the site seems more spacious, and it is easier to draw a future landscape on it. Next, you should act according to the plan, and in order not to rack your brains every time what to do next, you just need to make a list of tasks in the order in which they should be performed.

Work plan:

  1. Leveling of irregularities, i.e., cutting mounds and moving excess earth into lowlands;
  2. Planting fruit and ornamental trees, berry bushes;
  3. Construction of a garage and technical facilities;
  4. Construction of sheds or gazebos in places of recreation;
  5. Construction of raised beds and vegetable beds;
  6. Marking of boundaries between zones;
  7. Laying tracks;
  8. Breakdown of flower beds.

Terracing with the construction of retaining walls is quite laborious and costly, so it should be dealt with in case of urgent need, when there are rather steep slopes on the site.

Stone retaining walls

Where to get inexpensive materials for landscaping the site

In order to carry out the landscaping of the site at a minimum cost, building materials are bought at a low cost. In most cases, these are used bricks or building blocks, both. For some materials, you can not pay money at all - this is what is stored in sheds and pantries, taking up useful space.

Flowerbeds and beds from used materials

Lumber remaining after the construction of a residential building is used to create raised beds for growing strawberries, herbs, herbs, vegetables. Boards of the same width are selected, a rectangular box is knocked down right on the ground, filled with fertile soil, and any garden crop is planted.

This way of growing crops has its advantages. Due to the fact that the beds are at a certain height, they are easier to care for. According to this principle, raised flower beds are arranged: a place near a fence or a porch is fenced with boards, and annuals, perennials, ornamental shrubs or trees are planted inside.

What else can you make a flower bed from:

Cheap paths

Garden paths can be made from old building materials. The brick remaining after the dismantling of buildings is best suited. The fact that it was in use speaks in its favor - it has already withstood difficult climatic conditions for several decades and has proven its strength. For the next 5-10 years, while funds for a new coating are accumulated, it will still withstand.

Planks can be used for flooring. Wooden blocks are laid across the future tracks with an interval of 60 - 90 cm. Their length is equal to the width of the track. Boards are stuffed on top of the bars, and the rustic-style path is ready. When choosing boards, you should check their strength so that there is no “accident” while walking on them.

If there are no boards, but there are logs, you can make cross cuts and use them to make paths. Laying the rounds close one to one will not work because of the roundness of the configuration, and this is not necessary. The main thing is that you can walk on them after the rain, without staining or soaking your shoes.

Paths made of plastic bottles look original. You need to pick up bottles of the same capacity, fill them with sand, and dig in (necks down) in the form of a curb on both sides of the path. The interior space is covered with sand or gravel and compacted - and walk softly, and the water quickly leaves, and dirt does not accumulate.

Fence from improvised materials

You can use what you have in sufficient quantity to build a fence. The budget material is thin branches of forest trees. Pegs are driven into the ground, the height of which is equal to the height of the fence plus 20 - 30 cm (so much will be in the soil), and braided with flexible rods, best of all willow. If the rods are very thin, it is better to take several pieces. Thicker branches with a thickness of 2 - 3 cm, they are woven one at a time.

Each subsequent cross piece must be on the opposite side of the upright. Thanks to this alternate sequence, weaving will turn out to be more durable. For reliability, some rods are fixed with wire.

Tire fences are very popular. They are dug into the soil in the form of a border or laid flat on top of one another in 3-4 rows. Using the second method, you can combine the fence with a flower bed by filling the top tires with earth and planting vegetation in them.

Important. A tire fence or wattle fence is not suitable for large-scale fencing of the territory, but it can be used for zoning the site.

Old landscaping items

When buying something new for your home, sometimes you have to puzzle over where to put the old thing. It’s a pity to throw it in a landfill, but you don’t want to store it, taking up useful space. Such items can always be adapted to decorate the landscape.

Flowerbeds and flower beds

An unnecessary pram, furniture and sanitary ware can easily be turned into a flower bed. The easiest thing to do is with furniture equipped with drawers: earth is poured into the drawers of chests of drawers, cabinets and tables, and flowers are planted.

Unexpectedly, a washbasin or a toilet becomes a flower bed. In the case of the toilet, it is not necessary to wait for the seeds to germinate and then the flowers to grow. You can simply put a pot inside with an already developed flowering plant.

A flower garden trolley installed on a green lawn looks very original. It is a worthy decoration not only of an economical, but also of a refined, refined landscape.

Rubber shoes make excellent hanging planters. A layer of expanded clay, fertile soil is poured inside, and an ampelous plant is planted in the finished "pot". Such an impromptu flowerpot is hung on a hook driven into a fence, a barn wall, or simply on a lower branch of a tree. It remains only not to forget to water the flower on time.

Pond

Decorating the landscape with a pond is not the prerogative of richly decorated estates. You can make a pond from an old bathtub or another vessel, for example, a large basin, a plastic barrel. The container is dug into the ground, filled with water, and lined with stones. Moisture-loving vegetation is planted around the reservoir.

If there is no suitable container, a pit of the required size is simply dug, its bottom and walls are covered with a dense polyethylene film, the ends of which are brought out and pressed down with stones. Water is poured inside, and the pond is ready. In order not to buy garden figurines, you can run water-themed children's toys into the pond: ducks, frogs, boats. Even a rubber ball or an inflatable circle for swimming will do.

Place of rest

Recreation area is needed in any case, as you need somewhere to receive guests or gather in a narrow family circle. If in the near future it is not planned to build a capital gazebo, you can get by with awnings and homemade pergolas.

The easiest way is to attach a shed to the house. For construction, you will need two pipes and metal crossbars (corner, square, reinforcement with a cross section of 15 mm or more, strip). The length of the crossbars depends on the size of the canopy.

How to make a shed:

In a similar way, it is not difficult to make a canopy from wooden blocks.

In this case, the sides are decorated with gratings, along which climbing plants grow. The interior is furnished with inexpensive plastic furniture or stationary benches and a table made of wood. If the house has old sofas and armchairs that you don’t mind putting out on the street, they will come in handy for decorating a place of rest.

The best place to attach a shed to a house is in the backyard next to a windowless wall. Here you can create a cozy hidden place by decorating it with thin curtains and hanging flowerpots with hanging lashes of ampelous flowers. Nearby you can put a barbecue or make a hearth for a barbecue.

Garden and garden design

Vegetables contribute to the creation of a stylish landscape along with flowers. Sometimes they are even able to compete with them in decorativeness and take on the role of a dominant plant in the design of the site.

Creating a beautiful garden, 7 useful tips:

  1. Each bed is clearly defined. This gives the garden a more manicured look and helps with planting planning. Paths of various widths serve as boundaries;
  2. If the soil on the site needs improvement, high beds are an excellent way out. It is not necessary to raise the entire area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe garden - only the most problematic areas;
  3. Raised beds should be made so wide that they can be easily cultivated while standing on the path. The length can be any;
  4. Tall crops are planted so that they do not shade low plants;
  5. In a small area, tomatoes, greens, cabbage and other vegetables can peacefully coexist with flowers in a flower bed: both beautiful and practical;
  6. Plants that require the most frequent watering are located closer to the water source;
  7. Garden design uses the principle of combining plants. The garden looks more interesting when different crops are grown on the same bed: cabbage with onions, cucumbers with zucchini, greens with carrots.

Some vegetables are decorative in their own right, so they can be used even in front flower beds. It looks beautiful surrounded by annual flowers of blue cabbage forks, bell peppers, decorative varieties of tomatoes. Very effective red lanterns physalis , spreading rhubarb leaves or curly lettuce rosettes.

By introducing something new into the landscape design of the site every year, you can create interesting compositions without large financial investments. The main thing is not to be afraid to experiment, to be able to find a use for old things, to look for fresh ideas for decorating your site.

Also, useful tips from our specialist:

dizlandshafta

photos of a vegetable garden and a garden plot in a small area

Designing a small garden is often more fun than designing a large garden. And first of all, this is due to the fact that you will see the results of your work faster, while work on a large area is delayed (sometimes not even for one year) and the initial fuse is lost.

Landscaping a small garden is sometimes more interesting than designing the exterior of a large garden.

Recommendations

Contents

First, let's look at three rules that must be followed when designing a small garden design.

Everyone can give a stylish look to a small garden with their own hands, guided by the recommendations of professional designers.

Lightness must be present in all buildings. Try to hide them behind living vertical hedges and shrubs.

All objects should be evenly distributed throughout the garden so that they do not feel crowded.

Choosing a style

To keep a small garden from looking even smaller, it is important to have a sense of proportion when it comes to decorative elements. Also, at the design stage, decide on the height of objects and plants. Too voluminous objects will "pull" attention to themselves, and the impression of the landscape as a whole will be hopelessly spoiled.

To prevent a small area from appearing even smaller, it is important when designing it not to oversaturate it with decorative elements.

The ideal style for a small garden is Japanese. Mandatory "inhabitants" of such a site: dwarf trees, mini-waterfalls, stone compositions. Traditional hedges serve as decor. And when choosing plants for an oriental-style garden, preference is given to evergreen shrubs, various types of moss and creeping grass.

Proportions

There is an opinion that well-defined proportions are the lot of large plots. Professional designers are sure of the opposite. Geometric flower beds, narrow paths and trimmed shrubs - everything that speaks of a regular style - will harmoniously complement the landscape design of a small garden.

It is necessary to optimally choose the dimensions of the objects installed in the garden and the height of the plants.

And so that the territory does not turn into a heap of everything that you have, give up sculptures and fountains, large trees and garden plants that have large buds. Another bottom feature that is best avoided is multicolor. Two shades in the flower bed is enough.

Too voluminous design elements will take the focus on themselves, interfering with the perception of the landscape as a whole.

A small pond will help create the impression of a natural environment. Place it in the center of your garden. The main thing is not to decorate it with large stones, as this will make the reservoir even smaller. And to visually increase the space of the site, organize a stepped waterfall, a dry stream or a well. Flowering moisture-loving plants near the pond will be a spectacular completion of the composition.

Unusual solutions

It is possible to make the landscape of a small garden unique in its own way at no extra cost. For example, old things are often used for this (tires, shoes, dishes, furniture that are no longer in use). By correctly arranging these items, you can get very spectacular flower beds. By the way, not only flowers, but also greens are planted in such “flower beds”: arugula, sorrel, dill, parsley, lettuce, spinach, strawberries.

Old things, creatively rethought, can be used as decorative elements for the garden.

The above unusual "vases" are not only placed on the ground, but also used in a suspended state. Then they become an ideal place for growing petunias.

Petunias, violets, begonias, beetroot, fuchsia, dandur look spectacular in spherical planters with holes.

If the area is very small, and you need to place a lot of plants on it, use multi-tiered structures. The main thing is to place vertical gardening in the far corner of the garden.

Ready-made arches with curly flowers, graceful benches, garden chairs will fit well into the strict design of the garden.

Multi-tiered terraces are also created using ordinary pots. The advantage of such structures is that, if necessary, the pots can be easily carried indoors. The pots look especially impressive next to the paths, the gazebo or as decoration for the entrance to the house. Remember that the pot should be suitable for plants, consider the size of the root system, and the height of the crop. Today, dwarf coniferous crops, luxurious fragrant roses, and even vegetable crops (pepper, tomato) are planted in pots.

The lack of territory can be hidden with the help of multi-tiered terraces and vertical gardening (rockeries, rock gardens).

Important! Control the number of flower beds and hanging structures so that the site does not look gaudy.

When choosing plants, pay attention to the time of their flowering. Try to make the flower beds and flowerpots look like they are in bloom all the time, so that one crop, fading, is replaced by another, which is just beginning to bloom.

And one more little trick: to make the site seem larger, lay winding paths between plantings, flower beds and decorative elements. And yellow and white flowers planted in the far corners will allow you to “push” the boundaries a little.

When choosing plants, try to choose varieties of flowers that bloom alternately throughout the warm season.

Design steps

How to start design planning and what to look for.

  1. Clearly define the "needs" of the plants that you will plant on your site (the need for lighting, watering, soil composition).
  2. If the soil is not fertile enough, introduce black soil. In this situation, compost will not give the desired result.
  3. Low crops are planted on the south side and tall crops are planted on the northeast side.
  4. To get a spectacular design, be sure to choose a basic tone that will appear in varying degrees in different parts of the garden.
  5. If you choose the right color solution, the site will appear visually larger than it really is.
  6. Actively use natural stone. This is an amazing material not only in its technical characteristics, but also in appearance. Even the simplest finish looks unusually stylish.

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