Design A Charming Pocket Garden
A pocket garden sounds a little like what it is – a small, tucked away garden. While not really the size of a pocket, the purpose of these gardens is to create a showy display in a small space. Quite often landscapers utilize these plantings to brighten an otherwise unused area. They're also useful for adding visual interest to small yards. Design a pocket garden that adds charm to your yard.
Decide on a Location
The first step to designing a pocket garden is deciding on a location. The same considerations, such as sunlight and soil quality, that pertain to any landscaping go for your pocket garden as well. All things being equal, though, evaluate your yard for any spots that need brightening. Likewise, consider how you want to use your space. For instance, a pocket garden is a charming vista for a path or your favorite lounge spot.
Build around a Focal Point
The next step is deciding on a focal point for your pocket garden. Yard ornaments such as bird baths and water fountains are traditional. However, as the Landscaping Network points out, you can also decorate with garden antiques such as ornate urns, old stone troughs, and antique planter boxes. This is ideal if you want your space to feel like a cottage garden.
Frame with Border Plants
One way to help define your space is by framing it with border plants. The traditional border plants are shrubs, especially boxwood. Using shrubbery to create a geometric shape around your pocket garden gives it a more formal ambience. However, if you fancy a rustic pocket garden, consider a border of ornamental grasses. Choose ones that grow low enough to keep the rest of your landscaping visual. You can also create a less distinct border with groundcover plants.
Add Pretty Flowers
Flowers can also be your border plants. Even if you go in another direction, you pocket garden should contain a variety of pretty blooms. As you're choosing your flowers, make sure they will all thrive in the soil and sun conditions of your pocket garden. Also, consider keeping them in a theme, such as in a color palette or the same type of flower. That will give your pocket garden cohesion.
Include other Colorful Plants
You'll want your pocket garden to be visually interesting even when the flowers aren't in bloom. Consider adding plants with variegated leaves, such as hosta, or textured leaves, such as lamb's ear and lady's mantle. Ornamental cabbage offers both, as do many types of ornamental grasses, such as little bluestem. Dot these all around your pocket garden for balance.
Brighten a corner of your yard with a charming pocket garden. Contact a company like Boulder Works to learn more.