Size Doesn't Matter

July 1, 5:04 PMGardening ExaminerRobin Ripley

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A narrow Charleston entryway creates
a stunning effect to welcome visitors

Good things come in small packages...It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog.

Okay, enough for the barely relevant clichés. The point I want to make is that you can pack a lot of gardening wallop into a small space.

Take Charleston, SC, for example. I visited family there recently and was reminded about the ingenuity these garden-loving Southerners have at squeezing a lot of garden into a small space. Particularly in the historic downtown area surrounding Meeting Street, Charleston is a showcase for courtyard gardens, alleyway gardens, container gardens and tiny knot gardens. No space seems too small for someone to lovingly train up some ivy, tuck in a windowbox or create a garden scene.

With all the historic houses sitting shoulder to shoulder in the streets off the Battery, many of the houses have entranceways from narrow alleys between the houses. These are the perfect places to create a courtyard-type garden to set the tone as you enter the home. Some have soil for garden beds on either side of cobblestone paths. Other residents whose fate is a hard surface alleyway create miniature gardens by massing dozens of pots together for a garden effect.

Windowboxes abound in bright flowery bursts of color to wide ranges of variegated green. Driveways are bordered by small hedges and walls of ivy. Enterprising residents even plant and train up the ubiquitous Confederate jasmine onto street sign poles.

Even without soil a small garden can
be created using grouped container
plants.

I have to admit that the more I walked through the carefully tended historic area, the more envious I was of these residents' manageable garden spaces. My sprawling acreage in the country often leaves me exhausted just thinking about my "to do" list for the weekend. These gardens are small enough for even the time-stressed home owner to maintain without breaking too much of a sweat or needing much in the way of gardening expertise.

This garden consists of about 12
inches of soil between the sidewalk
and the facade of the house.

If you haven't yet started your garden--or even if you still have some small, untouched places--perhaps it's time to consider one of these garden jewels.

As you begin planning, consider the light and soil resources available. Many small places are shadowed by walls, trees or other obstacles that block out light. No worries though. There are many shade-loving plants that can be employed to fill out the garden.

Since a courtyard or alleyway garden can be observed at one time, it is important to select a more narrow range of plants and colors so that the eye isn't overwhelmed. Mondo grass, dwarf boxwood, ferns, begonias, impatiens, English ivy and Confederate jasmine are popular Charleston choices and can handle the shade.

A small garden will also require a firm hand at maintenance. Poorly performing plants or those that don't thrive must be removed immediately so that it doesn't spoil the overall effect. Containers will need to be watered daily--or even twice daily if you live in the searing heat--since they dry out quickly.

You will also need to show discipline when introducing garden art since too many objects d'art can make your tiny space resemble a junk shop rather than a courtyard garden.

With some ingenuity and a few carefully chosen plants, you can create a small jewel of a garden like one of these. You don't need a lot of space because (you know I'm going to say it) size doesn't matter!

Leave a comment and say "hey!" You can visit Robin's garden at Bumblebee or email her at GardeningExaminer@gmail.com.