Inspirational small gardens; a tiny taster 

Mention the National Garden Scheme and many will think of the beautiful, large country gardens that it opens for charity. But there is so much more in the Scheme’s garden portfolio including allotments, hospice gardens, community gardens, schools and an abundance of inspirational small gardens. Some open in their own right, others as part of a larger group but, however you view them, they all provide a staggering array of planting and design ideas that visitors can take home and replicate in their own outdoor spaces.

“The value of gardens and outdoor space took on a new importance during the pandemic lockdowns,” says National Garden Scheme Chief Executive, George Plumptre. “With many people enjoying their gardens and getting to grips with gardening for the first time – be it in a pot on a balcony or planning their first garden makeover – we’ve seen an explosion of interest for inspiring small gardens. Luckily, the National Garden Scheme has plenty to offer, with gardens all over the country – some just a few square metres in size – offering a host of ideas and demonstrating the skill with which people manage their small spaces.”

Here is a tiny taster of the smaller gardens on offer to visitors through the National Garden Scheme this year.*

Group and city gems

The truly gorgeous gem of a garden at Briar Cottage opens as part of the Warton Gardens group in Lancashire. This tiny enclosed back garden is packed with design features: an herbaceous border, vegetable beds, natural limestone with a sinkhole, trained fruit trees, alpine interest and a collection of Japanese maples. Who knew you could fit so much in! Explore the garden here 

In Merseyside 11 Blundell Avenue opens as part of the Blundell Gardens group, it has a small formal front garden with circular gazebo and central urn surrounded by mature shrubs. Walk through the side gate and find a quirky rear garden full of surprises, a folly, arbour, unusual plants, a raised fern border and assorted flowering plants. Discover more here  

Pigeon Cottage in Oxfordshire opens as part of the Broughton Poggs & Filkins Gardens group and is, at its name suggests, tiny. Despite its size the garden is an unexpected oasis of great atmosphere at the end of an insignificant path. There’s a lawn with steppingstones, densely packed borders and billowing roses. Explore it here. 

Many smaller gardens occur in cities and the Railway Cottages in Alexandra Palace, Greater London are a fabulous row of historical cottages with a variety of mainly front gardens. From the tranquil, country style garden at 2 Dorset Road to the potager style cottage garden with raised beds overflowing with vegetables and flowers at number 24a, if you want small city garden inspiration these, along with the gardens at Spitalfields and the series of seven floating barge gardens at Tower Bridge are must sees. 

Standing alone

Mione, in Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, is a beautiful garden with a wide variety of established plants, many rare and unusual. There’s a pergola with climbing roses and clematis and a gorgeous wildlife pond with many newts, insects and frogs. Numerous containers with a diverse range of planting and several seating areas, each with a different atmosphere and a stunning borrowed view make this garden feel bigger than it is. Find out more here 

1 Southview, Devizes, Wiltshire is a clever small-town garden with surprises and intrigue at every turn.  Densely planted with both pots near the house and large borders further up, it houses a collection of beautiful and often unusual plants, shrubs and trees many with striking foliage. ‘Truly inspirational’ is often heard from visitors. Discover more  

Other inspiring small gardens include:

152a Victoria Rise, London  More info

Cupani Garden, Seaford, East Sussex (lead image: Leigh Clapp) More info

42 Falconer Road, Herts there’s a virtual visit here: 42 Falconer Road; a garden of delights – National Garden Scheme (ngs.org.uk)  

12 Longmans Close, Watford, a tiny tropical garden  More info

9 Tannsfield Drive, Hemel Hempstead More info

28 Fishpool St, St Albans More info

Pont Trecynny, Fishguard  More info  

Penybont, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion  More info 

Corntown Gardens,Vale of Glamorgan  More info  

9 Willowbrook Gardens, Swansea  More info

Casa Lago, Whalley, Lancashire More info 

72 Ludlow Drive, Lancashire  More info 

The Homestead, Cheshire  More info 

18 Highfield Road, Macclesfield, Cheshire  More info 

100 Colne Road, London More Info

This is just a tiny taster of the smaller gardens in the National Garden Scheme’s rich garden portfolio – you can visit more of them virtually too. Several small gardens provided virtual garden visits during the 2020 lockdown, why not explore the collection here:  Virtual Garden Visits – Small or Surburban Gardens – National Garden Scheme (ngs.org.uk)   

PHOTOS:

Lead image: Cupani, East Sussex – Leigh Clapp.  Spitalfields – Julie Skelton. The Homestead – Joe Wainwright. 24a Dorset Road – Jacqui Hurst. Woodlands and 24 Bede Crescent – Susie White.