The temptation with an oddly shaped garden is to do as little to it as possible (perhaps a lawn surrounded by flower beds) or to add too many hidden nooks and details, which might work well on a huge plot but won’t. make the most of a medium-sized garden. Ideally, come up with a design that is simple but uses design tricks to correct the shape of the garden. Better yet, clever design can make the awkward shape to your advantage, using odd corners for concealed storage or raised tiers to define garden areas.
We asked Katrina Wells of Earth Designs to come up with three solutions to three classic problems: a sloping site, an L-shaped garden, and a tapering plot. Our advice is to simplify the appearance of the garden, as far as possible, using similar shades to unify the different elements such as platforms, pavements and walls. Regarding the budget, we suggest you where you can save. Now all you have to do is choose the plan that suits you best.
Designs for a sloping garden
Make the most of a sloping garden by creating different levels, each with their own purpose. This layout has an area right next to the house for al fresco dining and a barbecue. Wide steps then lead down (or up, depending on the slope of your garden) to an area with built-in seating (with lids that lift off for extra storage) and a water fountain or sandbox if you have kids. The top level includes a play area and lawn, plus a shed and compost heap. Hardy plants that don’t need a lot of water, like osteospermum, are great for a low-maintenance garden. Will you take much care? Mowing will be necessary up to once a week in the height of summer, but if you choose raised borders planted with hardy perennials, such as hosta and astilbe, they won’t need much care or constant maintenance. Add pops of color with drought-resistant osteospermum and gazania. How can I reduce costs? Earthmoving and terrace shoring can be quite expensive. In a gently sloping garden, save money by simply covering the top of the old surface, and swap out raised planters for pots (which you can always add later when you’ve saved up).
Designs for an L-shaped garden
The problem with L-shaped gardens is that the thinnest part of the ‘L’ is often wasted space. Give it a try and use it to store things you don’t want to see from the yard, like bins and shed or a play area. Keep the rest of the garden simple and break up the straight lines with a curved patio, edging and lawn to make the most of the space and give it a relaxed feel.
Will you take much care? Mowing will be necessary in the summer, but if you use bark chips, the children’s play area will be maintenance free. For borders, choose carefree, long-blooming perennials such as yarrow, bleeding heart, and black-eyed Susan. How can I reduce costs? This garden shouldn’t be expensive to create or maintain, as long as you keep the edges fairly narrow. However, you can make them appear deeper by planting evergreen vines, such as Clematis armandii.
Design for a conical garden
The best design for a conical garden uses strong diagonals to fool the eye. The main border reaches the center of the garden, while the lawn widens as the garden narrows, balancing the conical shape. The shed is hidden behind a water feature at the far end, making the narrowest part of the garden a useful spot.
Will you take much care? In the summer, the grass will need to be mowed once a week and the plants in the borders will need regular watering. Lay down a weed suppression membrane (from garden centers) to reduce the number of weeds, then plant the border with ground cover plants such as geraniums or catnip. Geraniums, in particular, provide good ground cover and color during the summer. Use tall pots planted with herbs for an eye-catching display. How can I reduce costs? Replace pots with tall plants placed on the ground; bamboo would be a good choice because it is evergreen and makes a good shelter plant. Making the lawn area larger and the edge narrower will also save money.
