| Tricks
of the trade
What
do you do when faced with a small space? Horticultural editor Peter
de Waart dscusses the secrets of design success with landscape designer
Rick Eckersley.
When it comes to designing a small garden, you simply don't have the luxury of wasting any piece of it. "The first thing to do is to establish its purpose," says Rick Eckersley. "You need to determine whether the space is to be a usable amenity, or a visual one." An outdoor area that is to have a practical purpose requires a different approach from one that is only looked at and is never used. For example, the space may be intended solely as a means of coming to, and leaving, the house. Or if it is very small, it may be perfect for use as a "room" for alfresco living.It is important to consider the space carefully and to take time over its design. Try to include any elements that you may want in years to come. "As time goes by, people tend to keep adding things to the initial plan," says Rick. "But by doing this, you could end up with a junkyard effect."
Even though it may seem expensive initially, consulting a landscape
professional could save you money in the long run. "People get used
to the way their gardens look; they often find it hard to view a
space from a different perspective," he explains. This is where
a good designer can come to the rescue, offering solutions to long-standing
problems and making better use of the available space. To find a
designer, look through magazines showing gardens that appeal to
you, then contact the professionals listed. Or look around your
neighbourhood and ask for a referral. Take ideas and notes along
to your first consultation.
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