Thomas Jefferson once said, “No occupation is so delightful to me as the culture of the earth, and no culture comparable to that of the garden.” Lovers of nature would resonate with our third president’s passion for such a simple yet exquisite joy. For what occupation can equal that of taking a blank canvas of ground and painting stunning works of art in real, living color? But, what if that “canvas” is little in size? How does one create a landscaping masterpiece on a small scale? No worries. A few guidelines to remember during the planning process will help you develop the Ardmore, Haverford or Wayne landscaped garden of your dreams!

It is necessary to start with your hardscapes – walkways, fences, trellises and other such structural features, as they provide the essential backdrop and structure for your floral palette. After this, it is tempting to merely purchase plants and shrubs that catch the eye rather than consider carefully the integral part each selection is to play in the whole design. To neglect this crucial point may result in a struggling, strangled and disorganized planting, a picture which may be anything but charming. Here are a few landscaping ideas for designing your small Main Line garden:

Create Perspective with Linearity
The use of long, straight sight lines (or paths) can create the impression of depth, visually transforming a small yard or small garden landscape into something that appears larger. By slanting the far end of the lines toward one another and creating a focal point, the perspective makes the distant object seem farther away.

Frame the View with an Arbor or Pergola
A modest pergola or arbor offers a means to direct the view and create structure within the garden. This can be accomplished with shrubs, small trees, and large containers, as well.

Small Backyard Zones and Cozy Spaces
By creating special zones within your small garden area, and cozy spaces such as a dining area, different furniture groupings, a reading nook or a butterfly garden, you can make the space interesting. The use of planted areas and a low wall enable you to screen out unwanted views.

It is wise to begin with the “skeleton” of the garden – trees, shrubs, screens and hedges. Careful consideration of their size at full maturity will help greatly in appropriately allocating the remaining space to flowering plants without overcrowding. These provide continual seasonal interest.

Once the structural setting has been planned, then comes the “delightful occupation” of flaunting your perennial and annual floral treasures and transforming your Ardmore, Haverford or Wayne landscaped garden into something worth talking about.

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In business for over 35-years, full-service landscape design company Aardweg Landscaping of Newtown Square, PA was recently recognized with the “Best Of Houzz” 2015 Award for Customer Satisfaction by Houzz, the leading platform for home remodeling and design.

Satisfied customers John and Mary S. of Wayne, PA shared the following testimonial on behalf of Aardweg Landscaping: “Not being from the area, we used the web to find a landscape design company for our new home. After talking with 3 design-build firms we chose Steven Aardweg of Aardweg Landscaping. His design capabilities were very apparent and the process he uses made it easy for us to feel comfortable going forward. The finished product confirmed that our choice was the right one. We love the landscaping they did for us! Kudos to Aardweg Landscaping.”

Are you interested in learning more about ideas for landscaping a small garden at your  Main Line or Philadelphia home? Aardweg Landscaping is pleased to provide on-site consultations at homes in communities throughout the metro Philadelphia area, including communities such as Ardmore, Haverford or Wayne, PA. To schedule a consultation, call Aardweg Landscaping at 610-355-0703, or send an email using the website contact form.