Small gardens
Small garden design inspiration, ideas and expert advice. Everything you need to know about designing and planting small gardens
Sworn enemies no more: we should ban the word ‘pest’ and give garden critters a rebrand
We should stop labelling creatures as sworn enemies, argues Cleve West, if we want to ensure our gardens are truly welcoming to wildlife.
This professional designer transformed his own typically long, narrow town garden into an urban oasis
Landscape architect Matt Evans has turned his typically long, narrow, town garden in Bath into a plantsman’s paradise.
Parking space vs front garden? It is actually possible to have both
Off-street parking and an attractively planted front garden needn’t be mutually exclusive – there are lots of designs that combine the two.
7 garden design rules you can totally break, and the one you never should
Leading garden designers tell us which tenets of design they love to ignore, the common demands they try to talk clients out of
Clematis montana aren't always rampant: if you're looking for a small climber, then these less vigorous varieties could be what you need
Although known as vigorous plants, Clematis montana can be also be medium sized or even compact. Here are some recommended varieties from the National Collection at the garden of National Collection holder, Val Le Neville-Parry.
A small city garden that looks good 365 days a year with top designer tips for interest in every season
In making a garden for photographer Alister Thorpe, designer Stefano Marinaz was keen to ensure there would be something worth shooting every day of the year
6 secret tricks of garden designers to make your garden look and feel better
Good gardens usually reference a few tried and tested design tricks – here's how to incorporate some of them into your own space.
How to build a natural swimming pond in your garden
Discover tips on how to build a natural swimming pool or pond in your garden, from expert designer Will Tomson
Stuck with a slope? Top ideas and inspiration for steps and ramps in the garden
Expert advice from Andrew Wilson on how to cope with level changes in the garden, with ideas on including steps and ramps with safety and accessibility in mind
You can have a sustainable garden that's also beautiful - here's how to design stylish ecological gardens
Charlotte Harris explains how to design gardens that are ecological and beautiful in her expert guide to sustainable garden design
This tiny city garden was transformed into a marvellous mini woodland glade with nine trees and designer touches
From a small, square, city plot, Stefano Marinaz has created a luscious, multi-textured garden brimming with interest and life.
A zero waste garden: this space was completely transformed, without sending anything to landfill
Designer Miria Harris gave herself the challenge of a no-skip, zero-waste project, giving away, recycling or reusing everything in this back garden before transforming it into a space her client could love.
Words: Zia Allaway, Photographs: Rachel Warne
How to lay a hedge
Interested in the centuries-old skill of hedge laying? Follow our guide on how to lay a hedge and learn about the traditional ways to lay a hedge. Words Louise Allen, photography Andrew Montgomery, illustration Liam McAuley
What is soil? You may think you know, but there's a lot going on under your feet
Think of your garden soil as a living organism that needs gentle handling and you will reap the benefits in healthier plants, urges no-dig gardening expert Charles Dowding
How to make a small suburban garden, and the surrounding street, a truly magical space, with Super Bloom’s Jac Semmler
In the middle of suburbia, Super Bloom’s founder Jac Semmler has created a floral wonderland that spills out on to the street.
Words: Georgina Reid, Photographs: Caitlin Atkinson
A small sloping backyard was given a designer update and is now a beautiful, flower-filled family garden on different levels by Farlam & Chandler
Design duo Farlam & Chandler has transformed a heavily shaded plot into a beautiful, flower-filled family garden
Think you want a small tree? You really need a 'trub' - a tree-like shrub - and we've got 13 expert picks
Want to create height and interest in a small garden? You might think you want a tree, but you really need a tree-like shrub – a ‘trub’
Watch Nigel Slater's exclusive tour around his own small garden and discover why he wouldn't want a bigger one
While Nigel Slater might occasionally dream of a larger garden, the joy he feels cocooned in his tiny basement courtyard has convinced him size isn’t everything.
Illustration: Paul Wearing, Portrait: John Campbell
Lush, Japanese-style planting in a small garden in Bristol from designer Artisan Landscapes
In Bristol Artisan Landscapes have created a calming tranquil space that invites the owners to immerse themselves in its cool, textural greens. Words Juliet Giles, photographs Jason Ingram
31 small garden design ideas from experts that will maximise impact and space on your own plot
Three top designers share expert advice on creating small spaces that really work, with insightful dos and don’ts to apply to your own garden. Picked by Harry Holding, Caroline Clayton, Harriet Farlam and Ben Chandler
Be inspired by this small suburban Suffolk retreat designed by Colm Joseph
In this once-overlooked suburban plot, designer Colm Joseph has created a modern gravel garden that offers a relaxing green retreat. Words Kate Jacobs Photographs Richard Bloom
Award-winning designer Ula Maria's garden of childhood memories in Northampton
An award-winning show garden from designer Ula Maria has been given a second life in her father’s small plot. Words Rae Spencer-Jones Photographs Rachel Warne
Reducing plastic in your garden and allotment
The invention of plastic changed how we gardened forever. Now it is everywhere, here's why we need to deal carefully with our plastic usage and how to get closer to a zero waste garden. llustration Vicki Turner
The best crab apple trees for colour and form
Kew-trained plant expert Graham Rice recommends 15 of the best crab apple trees for blossom, foliage, fruit and flavour. Photographs Dianna Jazwinski