In a small garden, following a few key principles when planning and planting will help make your garden look bigger and feel less cluttered.
Whether you have a tiny garden or a small patio, there are many ways you can improve your space. Taking time to choose colour schemes, picking plants that will flower for months and using design tricks such as repetition or adding focal points, will all have a big impact.
For limited budgets, think about using gravel instead of paving or a lawn. This also provides more space for plants in a tiny space. Install simple lighting yourself or, if you want a small vegetable garden, sow salad successionally in containers or grow fast-cropping plants like spring radishes and short, fast-growing carrot varieties such as ‘Nantes 2’.
One of the simplest ways to give small gardens a boost is to use your vertical space – for tiny gardens use hanging baskets and planters, cover boundaries with climbers, and add height with trees or tall slim plants like alliums and Verbena bonariensis.
There are many ways to make a small garden more interesting – here’s a few garden design ideas for small gardens to get you started.
A circular garden can be an excellent design choice for small yards and tight spaces. The rounded, flowing shapes create harmony while the continuous form makes the area feel larger. Circular elements also naturally draw the eye, adding charm and becoming focal points.
If you have limited square footage consider working circles into your landscape layout. Here are 15 creative small circular garden design ideas to help maximize your outdoor area.
1. Central Focal Point
Place a circular paved area, fire pit, fountain, sundial or tufted ornamental grass feature in the center of your small garden. This automatically creates a striking focal point that everything else works around. Surround it with benches, winding paths or shorter border plantings to highlight the shape.
2. Split Circle Layout
An elongated narrow yard can be divided into two separate “rooms” using partial split circles on each end, connected by a path For example, create a dining circle on one side and a lounging circle on the other The dual circles help break up the skinny space.
3. Circular Lawn Ring
Ring a small lawn area with a donut-shaped planting bed. This defines the open green while allowing planted beds all the way around. The circular lawn then becomes a centerpiece.
4. Concentric Planting Rings
Layer concentric rings of plants in a round bed. Place low edging plants around the outside, medium heights in the middle, and tall focal points toward the center for depth. Mix colors and textures.
5. Quadrant Garden Sections
Consider dividing a small circular or square garden into four labeled quadrants like “Herb Garden”, “Butterfly Garden”, etc. Include narrow dividing paths between the sections.
6. Curved Bed Edging
Soften hard corners and edges on beds and borders with rounded curves and crescent shapes. Circular clipped hedges also create lovely curved edging.
7. Winding Stepping Stone Path
A path with round stepping stones winding through planting areas helps guide the eye and makes spaces feel larger. Use a mix of stone shapes, sizes and materials.
8. Circular Garden Rooms
Define individual “rooms” within a small garden using round pavers or patios. For example, make a dining circle, fire circle and lounge circle, then link them with gravel paths.
9. Arbor Entryways
Connect garden spaces or entries with arched trellises. These provide vertical emphasis while highlighting the rounded beds or lawns on each side.
10. Round Planting Islands
Break up open lawn with circular planting islands for visual interest. Each becomes a mini garden space. Use evergreen shrubs and flowers.
11. Container Rings
Surround vertical elements like statues, obelisks and water features with rings of ornamental pots. Use a variety of rounded container sizes and shapes.
12. Partial Circular Beds
Maximize planting space along fences and foundations by extending corners out into curves and crescent beds instead of hard angles.
13. Circular Raised Beds
Plant vegetables and herbs in a series of round raised beds. They add aesthetic appeal while remaining narrow enough to reach across.
14. Fire Pit Circle
Define a cozy seating space with a small round fire pit or chiminea, encircled by round river rocks, pavers or gravel. Add curved benches.
15. Small Water Fountain
A simple recirculating fountain makes a great focal point. Position a round preformed pond or pool at the center, surrounded closely with lush plants.
Design Tips for Small Circular Garden Spaces
When planning a compact circular garden, keep these helpful tips in mind:
- Focus on one or two striking focal points to avoid clutter.
- Use repetition of curves and rounds to create harmony.
- Incorporate winding paths to give the illusion of more space.
- Layer narrow planting rings vertically for interest in tight areas.
- Choose low carpeting edgers and compact plant varieties suitable for small spots.
- Minimize lawn areas which can feel dominating. Use round raised beds instead.
- Add height with trellises, arbors and screens along fences and walls.
- Incorporate a mix of patios, walkways and decks to maximize use of every inch.
- Locate benches and statues so they can be enjoyed from multiple viewpoints.
Plants for Small Circular Gardens
For lush, full beds and borders in tight circular gardens, consider using these compact plant varieties:
Low Edging Plants: Irish moss, sweet woodruff, sedums, thyme, ajuga, dichondra.
Narrow Borders: Impatiens, pansies, vinca, ivy, cyclamen, coleus, dwarf hostas.
Compact Shrubs: Azaleas, boxwoods, heathers, miniature spruce trees.
Mini Trees: Japanese maple, crabapple, star magnolia, cherry, plum.
Vines on Trellises: Clematis, honeysuckle, jasmine, climbing roses, morning glory.
With some creativity and smart plant choices, you can design a stunning small space circular garden that looks and functions beautifully. The alluring rounded layout will help maximize every precious square inch.
Spruce up the front gate[image id=”45031″ size=”landscape_thumbnail” title=”Garden gate. Jason Ingram” alt=”Garden gate. Jason Ingram” classes=””] Garden gate. Jason Ingram
Give your gate a makeover to add impact to your front garden. Repainting or sanding down and staining a wooden gate is an easy, budget-friendly job that can make a big difference to an entrance.
Ditch the lawn[image id=”86023″ size=”landscape_thumbnail” title=”Planting into a gravel garden. Sarah Cuttle” alt=”Planting into a gravel garden. Sarah Cuttle” classes=””] Planting into a gravel garden. Sarah Cuttle
Having a lawn can draw attention to the size of a small garden. Using gravel instead creates more opportunities for creative planting, helps make your space seem larger and it’s great way to add low maintenance planting in place of a lawn.
22 Cheap No Grass Backyard Ideas For Low-Maintenance Garden
FAQ
What is the rule of 3 in gardening?
The Rule of Three is a design concept that’s so easy to use you almost can’t go wrong! Simply line up three of the same plants, in the same pot, to create a visually pleasing series. For example, a series of identical pots lined up on a stone wall creates a simple (yet satisfying!) repetition.
What is the best layout for a small vegetable garden?
Ultimately, the best garden layout for vegetables, herbs, and fruits is whatever you want it to be, to some degree. The main point is to plant your taller veggies on the northern side of your garden and your shorter veggies on the southern side. That way, everyone gets plenty of sunlight.
What to plant in a circular flower bed?
Plant both annuals, perennials and low-growing herbs and shrubs, like thyme, germander, boxwood, santolina and colorful flowers like lavender, lamb’s ear and sage. Circle gardens are well-suited for a centerpiece, a birdbath, statue or brick plant stand.
How do I plan my garden layout?
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Measure and Map:Accurately measure your garden area and draw a scaled plan on paper or use online tools.
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Sunlight:Note which areas receive full sun, partial sun, or shade, as different plants have different needs.
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Soil:Consider soil type and drainage. Poor soil may require raised beds or soil amendments.
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Existing Features:Include structures, trees, and other elements that might affect your layout.
What is a circular garden?
Circular gardens, due to their unique design, can be ideal for this purpose, especially in small or urban spaces. The first strategy involves layering. This utilizes the concept of planting shorter plants at the front of your garden and taller plants at the back.
How do you design a circular garden?
Circular Design Flow Design your garden with a circular flow pattern using curved pathways and rounded planting beds. This organic layout softens the space and creates an illusion of a larger area. Central focal points, like a small fountain or decorative pot, anchor the design.
Are circular garden designs a good idea?
Circular garden designs can add interesting visual appeal and functionality to small backyard spaces. The circular form lends itself well to creating compartments and intimate spaces within a compact area. Rounded beds and winding paths also help make small gardens feel larger.
What are round garden ideas?
Round garden ideas bring a unique and enchanting element to any outdoor space, creating a focal point that draws the eye and invites relaxation. The circular design fosters a sense of balance and harmony, making the garden feel welcoming and serene.
Why should you choose a circular garden layout?
The circular design fosters a sense of balance and harmony, making the garden feel welcoming and serene. Different textures and plant arrangements can add depth and interest, turning an ordinary area into a peaceful retreat. This layout works well in various settings, from small yards to larger landscapes.
How to design a circular garden for a compact backyard?
Place a round preformed pond or pool at the center of your garden design. Surround with greenery to highlight the water. When planning a circular garden for a compact backyard, keep these tips in mind: Focus on one or two striking focal points to draw the eye and avoid clutter. Use symmetry and repetition of circular forms to add harmony.