Sustainable design
for small landscapes
MASTER GARDENER PROGRAM
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“… A small plot of ground well ordered,
turns to greater advantage than a large one
neglected …”
- Leonard Meager
The New Art of Gardening, 1697
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Designing small spaces
may feel less
overwhelming
… but more restrictive.
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SUSTAINABLE DESIGN
 Designing for plant health and longevity;
 Creating “outdoor rooms”;
 Important in design regardless of size or
cost.
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FIVE CONSIDERATIONS OF
SUSTAINABLE DESIGN
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1. FUNCTIONAL
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2. MAINTAINABLE
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3. ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND
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4. COST EFFECTIVE
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5. VISUALLY PLEASING
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SITE ANALYSIS: CLIENT INTERVIEW & SURVEY
 Client interview
– Activities in the landscape
– Timeline for installation
– Budget – install and maintenance
 Site survey
– Site inventory
– Specific, honest evaluation of site features;
measurements
 Landscape Design Questionnaire, Site
Evaluation Form
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DESIGN PRINCIPLES
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DESIGN PRINCIPLE 1: UNITY
A feeling of “oneness”
Mix & match plants based on texture, form
Repetition of hardscapes and plants
All aspects should complement one another, not
compete for attention;
 The entire design comes together to form one
landscape.
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DESIGN PRINCIPLE 1: UNITY
 The entire design:
– Comes together to form
one landscape;
– All aspects should
complement one another,
not compete for attention;
– Repetition of materials
builds unity.
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DESIGN PRINCIPLE 2: SIMPLICITY
 Large masses and groups
 Fewer individual species /
cultivars
 Backgrounds, backdrops
 Color pallets
 1-3 focal points in a small space
 More important in commercial
design than residential
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DESIGN PRINCIPLE 3: VARIETY
 Variety in plants: type,
form, texture, seasonal
interest;
 Variety in hardscapes:
color, texture
 Variety in location:
areas viewed up close,
entry gardens, decks,
walkways, etc.
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VARIETY VS. COLLECTION
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DESIGN PRINCIPLE 4: BALANCE
Formal vs. informal, symmetrical vs. asymmetrical
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DESIGN PRINCIPLE 5: EMPHASIS
Integrate focal points,
accent, and specimen
plants in the
landscape
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DESIGN PRINCIPLE 6: SEQUENCE
The repetition of textures,
colors, form and materials
to transition the viewer
through the landscape.
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DESIGN PRINCIPLE 7: SCALE
The relative size of one part of a
landscape to another and to human
beings using plants and hard features of
various sizes.
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PLANT SELECTION
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SELECT PLANTS FOR SUSTAINABILITY
 Right plant, right place, right purpose
 Select plants based on their elements of
design (characteristics)
– Plant type
– Size
– Form
– Texture
– Seasonal interest
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PLANT SELECTION: PLANT TYPE
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PLANT SELECTION: SELECT PLANTS BASED
ON MATURE SIZE
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PLANT SELECTION: FORM
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PLANT SELECTION: FORM: GO VERTICAL
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TRELLISING & ESPALIER
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PLANT SELECTION: TEXTURE, MIX & MATCH
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PLANT SELECTION: SEASONAL INTEREST
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COLOR
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COLOR
 Warm: Focal point, draws
attention
 Cool: Calm, relaxing, larger
 Neutral: Transitions, softens,
expands
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DESIGN TIPS FOR SMALL LANDSCAPES
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1. DESIGN ELEMENTS TO SERVE MORE
THAN ONE PURPOSE
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2. INTERPLANT ORNAMENTALS
WITH EDIBLES
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3. CONSIDER VIEWS
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4. USE TALL PLANTS AS BACKDROPS
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5. DESIGN TURF AREAS FOR MAINTENANCE
 Mowing – avoid tight radii
 Light & moisture requirements
 Repeated traffic, equipment
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6. AVOID DIVIDING THE PROPERTY
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7. DE-EMPHASIZE NARROW AREAS
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8. LOCATE DETAILS & VARIETY CLOSE-UP
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RESOURCES
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Sustainable Urban Landscape Information Series (SULIS):
http://www.sustalnd.umn.edu
Gardening Information http://www.extension.umn.edu/gardeninfo
Rice, Graham, The Ultimate Book of Small Gardens
Messervy, Julie Moir and Susanka, Susan, Outside the Not So Big House
Beaulieu, David, “Color Theory in Landscape Design”,
http://landscaping.about.com/od/flowersherbsgroundcover1/a/flower_photos
.htm
Luss, Gunda, “Color Techniques for Landscape Design”
http://www.sustland.umn.edu/design/colortechniques.html
Boulden, Steve, “Big Help for Small Gardens”, http://www.the-landscapedesign-site.com/smallgardens.html
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Discover more at
extension.umn.edu
Created by Julie Weisenhorn, University of Minnesota Extension, Department of Horticultural Science
© 2011 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.
The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities
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