Saturday, April 18, 2015

Garden Ideas for Small Yard



A friend of mine contacted me for assistance in creating a garden in her small yard. She lives in a townhouse and her backyard is very small and not private. If she put up a privacy fence then all she would need would be two panels on the sides and I thought she might feel closed in so I suggested that she invest in a lovely grass garden instead and create a private garden in her small yard.

The ornamental grass garden would add privacy and movement to her landscape plus the flower plumes are pretty. A grass garden is pretty summer through winter and is easy to care for too.

Along with the grass garden, I suggested planting some low growing daylilies and garden decorations; birdbath, outdoor bench, wind chimes and window box planted with colorful coleus plants.

Here is the digital set that I created for my friend. This set was used to show my friend how a few ornamental grasses can transform her yard and create a comfortable resting area where she could read a book or sip a cup of herbal tea.




When it comes to creating an ornamental grass garden I always choose tall grasses and then taper downward, ending with low growing border grass.

I recommend buying ornamental grasses at greenwoodnursery.com. This online nursery has a good selection of grass. My favorites are;


  1. Karley Rose Grass; Features dark green foliage pretty rose color flower plume
  2. white or pink pampas grass for showy flower plumes
  3. Add contrast to the ornamental grass garden with Red Rooster Carex grass.
  4. Accent the grass garden with low growing Elijah blue fescue grass with blue foliage or Lirope/ lilyturf with its dark green leaves and purple flowers in the fall. Both are low growing in a mound and will make the grass garden look eye appealing.

4 comments:

Sandy Segur said...

I love your idea for her small backyard. If I end up getting the house I want, I may have to get some suggestions from you. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. As I love the ideas you share.

Sandy Segur said...

I love your idea for her small backyard. If I end up getting the house I want, I may have to get some suggestions from you. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. As I love the ideas you share.

Sheila Brown said...

Wonderful ideas for a small backyard garden! Most of my garden area is shade but I may to have to find a sunny area to use some different grasses. I bet your friend was very happy with your ideas!

S Golis said...

Sandy Segur you cannot go wrong when you grow a grass garden. Once established they are so easy to maintain, drought resistant plus the winter interest is very nice. Grasses add movement to your yard and watching this is relaxing. I prune my grasses in early spring..In April they start to grow again.