Shape & Size

Shape

Many gardens are awkwardly shaped and making the most of an unusual form should be seen as a challenge and an opportunity to make an exciting garden rather than a disadvantage.

You may have a long and narrow garden, a triangular plot or a very small garden with a tiny patio area. This part of our site takes a look at some typical garden shapes and we offer some design solutions that will help make the most of them.

Long Narrow Garden

Quite often, gardens belonging to terraced houses are long and narrow and they can often feel more like a passageway than a garden.

Solution 1

A good solution to this type of plot is to divide the garden into a series of spaces that are linked together by paths. Each can have their own separate function such as a lawn, a play area, a vegetable patch or a patio/barbecue area.

You could make each of the areas a different shape such as a square, circle or oval and some can be larger than others depending on your requirements.

It is a good idea to divide the separate spaces by screening them with a trellis, hedge, or shrubs.

Alternatively, you could separate the spaces with low level walls, borders or paving. With this option, it will add interest to include vertical elements at strategic points such as small trees or arches and pergolas.

A good design trick is to use diagonal lines which help to make the garden seem wider.

You may wish to include a visual surprise in some or all of the sections such as a sculpture or water feature.

Add a seat so that visitors can stay and enjoy the surroundings.

Solution 2

If your garden is very narrow, you could deliberately turn it into a garden walk.

A path, particularly with gentle curves, will create undulating borders on either side and you can include recesses or arbors at regular intervals where people can sit and relax.

With this type of design, it is a good idea to have a reward at the end such as a pool fountain or a statue.

Formal planting and the inclusion of urns in this type of layout works well.

L Shaped Garden

The effect of this shaped plot is that it creates two gardens and the garden design can depend on the position of the house – it may sit at one end or in the middle of the two arms.

Where the house is at one end, the garden at that end is more visible from the house and you could create a more formal garden near the house which becomes less formal as perhaps a woodland or wildlife garden around the corner, although bear in mind that you may not be able to see this from the house.

Quite often you will find one part of the garden is shaded and one sunny so careful choice of plants to suit is needed.

You could deliberately  create two gardens  of different styles but pay attention to the meeting point to make the transition comfortable – this could be a place with a seat or a summer house or you could even create a small third garden space which can be entered from both sides.

If one part of the L is not visible, you may wish to use this to tuck away things you don't want to see from the house or patio, such as the bins, shed or a play area.

Sloping Garden

You can make the most of a sloping garden by creating different levels, each with its own purpose. T
his design has an area right next to the house for outdoor dining and a barbecue and then, wide steps lead up to a lawned area.

Depending on the size of your garden, you can create many terraced levels.

Shifting earth and shoring up the terraces can be quite costly. In a gently sloping garden, save money by just decking over the top of the old surface, and swap raised planters for pots (which you could always add later when you've saved up).

Triangular or Tapering Garden

These are often found where the garden is bordered by a road, footpath or other natural feature such as a river.

The best design for a tapering garden uses strong diagonals to trick the eye as shown here. The main border comes into the middle of the garden, while the lawn widens as the garden narrows, balancing the tapered shape.

The narrow end tends to draw the eye so you could use trees and shrubs to conceal the pointed section. You could place a summer house or arbour there so that it is a deliberate focal point.

Have something interesting in the centre which will attract the eye and lessen the emphasis on the awkward point such as a circular lawn with a fountain.

Basement Garden

These are often very narrow patios with steep, narrow steps leading up to the garden which is normally too high to be viewed form below.

The patio area  can feel cramped, dark and uninviting so it may be best to sacrifice some of the growing space by making the patio a little larger and the steps more generous.

The use of pots and containers can be a good solution to planting as these can be moved around and changed easily.

Wide and Shallow Garden

These can be surprisingly awkward to plan for as the lack of depth from the house can make the garden seem small when looking from a window.

Low arches and the occasional feature such as a topiary figure or urn will help the eye to concentrate on the details rather than the lack of depth – it is a good idea to have a larger feature directly opposite the house such as a sculpture, fountain or niche.

Choose  pale plant colours such as lavender and herbs that counteract the foreshortening effect – avoid reds and yellows which will make the space feel narrower.