Succession and structure

Succession & Structure

Good structure in the planting, and a succession of flowering periods through the year, ensures there is year-round interest even in the smallest garden.

This garden is full of colour throughout the year, but the colour schemes go through a succession:

1. tulips in spring
2. wildflowers and oxeye daisies in late spring to early summer
3. roses in summer
4. dahlias in late summer to autumn.

Planting structure is key to holding everything together. Trees and shrubs are essential for structure, especially in winter. I've used:

• trees e.g. fruit, olives
• evergreen shrubs e.g. rosemary, Pittosporum.

Trees for Interest and Harvest

Trees with multiple seasons of interest (e.g. pretty leaves plus blossom) are ideal for small gardens.

• Fruit trees are great for this – blossom, fruit and sometimes colourful autumn leaves.
• I've used an edible hedge that's productive as well as beautiful – hazel, pear, rosehips etc.

Thorny Plants Have Additional Uses

Plants with more than one use are great for small gardens, but these uses may not be obvious.

• E.g. I've used prickly Rosa rugosa as a barrier to screen off somewhere where I don't want people to go. Prickly plants are great for deterring people.

Plant Directory

Corylus avellana

Hazel

Hardy deciduous large shrub or small tree

Betulaceae

Dahlia species and cultivars

Dahlias

Tender or half-hardy perennials, often grown as half-hardy annuals

Asteraceae

Leucanthemum vulgare

Oxeye daisy

Hardy herbaceous perennial

Asteraceae

Olea europaea

Olive

Half-hardy or hardy evergreen tree

Oleaceae

Pittosporum species and cultivars

Tawhiwhi

Half-hardy or hardy evergreen shrubs

Pittosporaceae

Pyrus communis

Pear

Hardy deciduous tree

Rosaceae

Rosa rugosa cultivars

Japanese rose

Hardy deciduous shrub

Rosaceae

Rosa species, hybrids and cultivars

Roses

Hardy deciduous or semi-evergreen shrubs or scrambling climbers

Rosaceae

Salvia rosmarinus

Rosemary

Hardy evergreen shrub

Lamiaceae

Tulipa species and cultivars

Tulips

Bulbous hardy perennials

Liliaceae