Enhance a compact garden

Slimline and smallish outdoor spaces are part of urban life-those in the know share clever ideas to make the most of what you have

- FLEUR BRITTEN

1 Up And Over

With just three metres of garden width to play with, landscape designer Margie Grace of Grace Design Associates managed to construct a two-person-wide walkway by creating a covered canopy of figs trained on a series of metal arches. It also cleverly provides privacy from the neighbouring house.

2 High And Mighty

In a slim space, going tall with planting is a sure way of making it still feel lush. 'Columnar arborvitae have an upright, narrow habit that does not impede on the roof deck space or make it feel overly crowded,' says the landscape designer Amber Freda. These taller evergreens also offer privacy from an adjacent roof, she explains. In front of the arborvitae, Amber added creeping Jenny, purple petunias and Mexican feather grasses in order to give the planters a more lush-looking appearance. Opposite those planters, she created a mix of blooming plants including "Tardiva' hydrangeas and catmint, and evergreens like boxwoods and junipers, along with some wispy-looking Maiden grasses for texture - the idea was that the garden resembled 'something between an English garden and a meadow'.

3 Level Up