Cultivating a tropical garden oasis

The time spent gardening with his grandmother, Olive, when he was a child inspired Deronis Cooper to pick up a trowel again shortly after he bought his townhome 17 years ago. Not only has he found the work of planning, planting and watering the garden satisfying, but being surrounded by beautiful flowers and foliage is great stress relief from his job as a Chicago police officer. Watch our Talk & Tour video with Deronis above and keep reading to learn more about this impressive garden!

A garden for everyone to enjoy

You can’t miss Deronis’ garden when you’re walking or driving down the block. He designs the space so that the bright colors and bold foliage that you see in the photos burst over and around the privacy fence, giving him, his neighbors and passersby plenty of enjoyment. The exuberant plantings often draw people over for a closer look, and Deronis is happy to give an impromptu tour and share his garden tips. He even connects and encourages others through social media. Known as “Grandma's Gardener,” he has gained quite a following and was even featured on the local news. Be sure to folling him on Instagram @grandmas_gardener to see what he's planting in the garden this season.

Now let’s take a look at this amazing space and find out what Deronis did to create a tropical oasis in the heart of the Midwest.

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Impressive front yard foliage

The wrought iron fence along the front yard in the photo above provides a sneak peek into the garden. But a colorful wall of coleus (Coleus scutellarioides), sweet potato vines (Ipomoea batatas), palms (Chamaedorea spp.) and Red Abyssinian bananas (Ensete maurelli) give Deronis a bit of privacy. The screening works so well that last summer a friend walked by and didn’t offer his typical “Hey, how’s it going?” even though Deronis was sitting in his usual spot.

An urban garden packed with curb appeal

To find bargains that stretch his gardening budget, Deronis often shops Facebook Marketplace. That’s where he found five 5-foot-long and 2-foot-tall rectangular metal storage boxes that he upcycled into the planters that sit behind the wrought iron fence. He brought them home, spray-painted them black and drilled holes in the bottom with a metal drill bit for drainage.

When it’s time to plant these containers in spring, Deronis starts working inside the yard, then moves out to the sidewalk and reaches through the pickets to plant so there’s plenty of street-facing color too. The result is the luxurious growth you see above that stops so many passersby in their tracks.

Read the Full Feature in Our New Summer Issue – Buy Your Copy Here!

Impressive wine barrel containers anchor the corner of the lot

At the corner the wrought iron changes to a wooden privacy fence, and that transition is marked by the two 59-gallon barrels you see above. Though they’re hidden, you can’t miss the explosion of color they provide. Elephant ear (Colocasia spp. and hybrids), coleus and sweet potato vine are regular players, but Deronis likes to mix up the planting each year depending on what inspires him at the garden center. Last year’s combination also included purple fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum) and spider flower (Cleome hassleriana).

Large elephant ears and bananas keep the design proportional in this 35-inch-tall barrel (elephant ears regularly reach 7 feet tall in Deronis’ garden, and the biggest banana he grew was 14 feet.) While these two plants provide the height, a skirt of vigorous sweet potato vine balances them out. To keep plants growing strong, Deronis adds Osmocote^® slow-release fertilizer to the potting mix at planting and applies liquid plant food using the Miracle-Gro^® Garden Feeder hose attachment most every week.

Overwintering in place

At 115 pounds, the barrels are too awkward to move indoors over the winter, so he leaves them out, even though they’re unsealed oak. Because of year-round exposure, the last one required replacing after about eight years.

Keeping planters watered

Deronis says that keeping up with watering is his biggest challenge throughout the yard but especially for these barrels. On hot summer days he may drag the hose and watering wand over there two or three times a day to maintain its head-turning curb appeal.

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Layer plants for a lush tropical garden look

One of the first projects Deronis tackled when he started gardening was the 32-foot-long by 3-foot-deep raised bed that sits next to the townhome. It was initially filled with a mix of topsoil and peat moss for drainage. Now the bed gets topped off annually with a few bags of Miracle-Gro garden soil.

Mix foliage shapes for texture and interest all season

Since most of the plants in Deronis’ planting palette are foliage focused, he uses a variety of leaf sizes, shapes and colors to keep the interest high. Broad elephant ears (Colocasia spp. and hybrids), lacy palms and elongated bananas provide an engaging canopy for colorful coleus, palmate castor bean plant (Ricinus communis) and sweet potato vine.

A love for container gardens

Deronis was enamored by the amazing planters the city of Chicago sets up downtown every year so he decided to plant up a few of his own. One container led to another and another. Now all of the plants outside of the initial raised bed are growing in containers.

The pots come in a variety of shapes, sizes and materials. Many have bold colors to keep with the tropical theme and provide interest early in the season. Even in summer when plants are mature, you’ll catch a glimpse of a container.

Container tip: Easy color swap

If Deronis finds a container he likes but the color isn’t a good fit, he uses spray paint to get just the right shade that pops in his garden. Rust-Oleum^® is his favorite brand because it holds up to rain, snow and sunlight, there’s a large variety of colors to choose from and some have a dial on the nozzle so you can spray at different angles.

Create layers for interesting garden design

To make sure he can see and appreciate every specimen in the containers, Deronis uses the thriller, filler, spiller formula at planting time. In his designs, he used the tall elephant ear as the thriller that steps down to the midsized coleus filler and finally a skirt of sweet potato vine spills down to the ground.

You can see this layered effect from a distance in the photo above. Tall containers with thrillers are in back and shorter ones are up front. Filling every level with plant-packed containers is a great way to get that lush look so typical of tropical garden design.

Add plants with height for privacy

For extra screening and planting space, Deronis secured 36-inch-long by 9-inch-tall windowboxes along the top rail of the privacy fence. You can see the placement more clearly in the small “before” photo. They also help blend the tallest tropicals into the planting and further obscure the edge of the fence. When you can’t quite tell where the edge of the fence is, the yard feels larger too.

The windowboxes can be a challenge to keep watered, especially as summer heats up, but Deronis is out with the hose daily making sure they stay in tip-top shape.

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Create a secret tropical garden getaway

As a plant lover, Deronis savors all the variety he finds at the garden center and tries out new plants each year to see if they fit with his tropical mix. If it grows vigorously and can compete with all the other strong growing specimens he’s discovered over the years he’ll grow it again. But having a cohesive look for the yard is also important. To do that, he repeats a few reliable favorites. In addition, Deronis repeats different plants that have similar colors, such as the burgundy coleus with the red ti plant (Cordyline fruticosa) in the photo above, along with other warm-toned coleus varieties with the red-leaf hibiscus (Hibiscus acetosella) and dark foliaged sweet potato vines (Ipomoea batatas) in the photo below.

Create cohesion with repetition of color

Another key to cohesion is the black metal garden furniture. Deronis likes the durability of metal, and the dark color recedes into the background so the garden takes center stage.

More garden room

Expanding up the fire escape was a natural next step for Deronis. Windowboxes and hanging baskets packed with sweet potato vines, petunias (Petunia hybrid), coleus and other finds — you can see how well they cover the structures. The hanging baskets were a challenge at first, but he discovered a helpful solution in “Hanging basket help” below.

Go vertical!

By gardening up the fire escape, Deronis creates even more drama and incorporates the structure into the rest of the garden. An added bonus is that he can hide a lot of tools and materials on ground level behind the dense foliage.

Hanging basket help

To build on the drama that fills the yard below Deronis added windowboxes that straddle the railing on the fire escape. Those did a great job, but he wanted to fill in the gaps on the pickets. Railscapes^™ Plant Clip was the solution. The arms wrap around the basket and each end fits between the pickets so that tension keeps the basket in place and level.

Tropical garden plant care

Foliage plays a starring role in tropical garden design, and there are lots of tender perennials with gorgeous leaves to choose from. Deronis starts shopping for plants in spring when nighttime temperatures are staying around 50 degrees F. That way he doesn’t have to worry about covering plants to avoid frost damage.

He plants the big barrels on the corner first, then fills the large Crescent container in the middle of the yard. A couple of large purple pots by the front door are next, and then he moves on to the rest of the yard. It usually takes him three to four weeks to get the whole garden planted.

Easy-care plantings

Once all the planting is done, care is pretty simple — watering is the biggest job. Though the yard faces west, there’s a mature tree near the front of the yard, and the privacy fence provides some late afternoon shade.

Mixing in a slow-release plant food at planting time ensures the tropicals have plenty of nutrition without a lot of extra effort. Because most of the plants are foliage-focused, there’s no deadheading. Deronis doesn’t mind when a coleus blooms — he leaves it in place, and it becomes another colorful accent for the garden.

To end the season, Deronis gives away his tender plants to the community

By the end of October, short days and cooler temperatures are causing these tender perennials to slow down, so Deronis puts out an all-call on social media for everyone to come and take the plants. He doesn’t have room to overwinter them indoors. More importantly, he likes to encourage other gardeners to try new plants so they can bring some beauty to their own yard and neighborhood.

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Nimblewill (Muhlenbergia schreberi)

What this weed looks like

This fine-textured native perennial grass can grow up to 24 inches tall, but in turf areas the wiry stems are kept shorter because of mowing. However, you might not notice it in your lawn until cold weather arrives. Then the sprawling, densely branched mats of warm-season grass turn brown faster than most turfgrasses, as you can see in the photo above, and it remains brown until spring.

From midsummer into fall, narrow heads, or panicles, rise just above the leaves loaded with tiny flowers that form lots of seeds. Even if the plant is mowed, it will continue to produce seeds.

Where to find nimblewill

This weed hides best in lawns, but seeds also sprout in beds, borders and vegetable gardens. Tolerant of shade to full sun, moist to dry conditions, it’s happy almost anywhere.

How to get rid of nimblewill grass

You can easily pull or hoe it from beds and borders. In a lawn, rake over a cluster to gather stems before pulling or digging. Be sure you get all of the pieces or it will quickly regrow. Nonselective herbicides will kill it, but they also kill plants it has sprawled into. Selective herbicides, such as mesotrione, are effective in cool-season turfgrasses. Apply it in summer when the weed is actively growing. However, it’s best to contact a lawn professional to be sure it‘s safe to use on your turf.

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Nimblewill photo in summer by Emily Summerbell, CC BY 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Designer tips for stunning container gardens

Landscape designer Christina Salwitz, owner of The Personal Garden Coach, has been growing and designing colorful containers for her Seattle, Washington, clients for years. Her best advice for a head-turning design is to “think outside the pot” to come up with new and creative container designs. While the traditional thriller, filler and spiller recipe is a great way to get started, don’t let it limit your container creativity.

Though Christina is all about breaking the rules when it comes to trying new plant combinations, she does have a few tips to guide you along the way and lots of gorgeous containers for inspiration. Plus find two patio planter designs, complete with plant lists so you can recreate them in your own garden.

1. Experiment with different container plants

Be adventurous with your plant combinations. If you like a plant’s flower or foliage color, habit or leaf shape, give it a try — the results just might be amazing!

2. Create easy combos with the rule of 3

Christina uses three heights, three colors and three textures to guide her plantings. But this is just a guideline — feel free to ignore it when inspiration strikes.

3. Serendipity happens with garden design

Be open to plants not behaving the way you expect. Not every design turns out as planned, and that’s OK.

4. Choose double-duty container plants

Get the most out of your container plantings by buying plants that can do “double duty” in the garden. Whether it’s a young specimen tree that can be moved into the garden later or perennials that can be planted in the border in fall, these versatile plants add long-term value. Watch the video below to see Christina’s container tips in action.

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Bold patio planter ideas from a design pro

Plant a patio container that looks good from every angle

This container sits on a patio that greets friends and family to outdoor gatherings, so it needed 360-degree beauty. Because the New Zealand flax is planted off-center, the planting has a different look from every angle. Christina expected the celosia and crassula to grow upright habits. Instead, the stems were more relaxed but the combination still looked great.

The celosia’s vibrant blooms balance the sweeping vaselike foliage of the flax, creating a dynamic look that’s easy to see from anywhere in the yard.

Container plant list (number to plant)

A) New Zealand flaxPhormium ‘Black Adder’ (1)
B) Licorice vineHelichrysum petiolare ‘Limelight’ (2)
C) CelosiaCelosia argentea spicata ‘Intenz’ (5)
D) CrassulaCrassula capitella ‘Campfire’ (1)
E) Sweet potato vineIpomoea batatas ‘Sweet Caroline Red’ (1)

Container is 14 inches in diameter

Mix annuals and perennials for long-lasting patio planters

Getting plants in the right spot in the border makes a difference in how well they grow, and Christina has found that it makes a difference in containers, too. On the hottest, most exposed side of this pot she placed the sedum and annual geranium. The other side (with the coleus) gets a bit of shade from the border and the taller container behind. Campfire coleus can grow to 28 inches tall and may need a trim once or twice so it doesn’t overshadow its sun-loving neighbors.

Double-duty plant tip

If you live where winters get below freezing, transplant the sedum in the ground a few weeks before the last expected frost and overwinter the New Zealand flax and echeveria indoors until spring.

Container plant list

A) CordylineCordyline australis ‘Red Star’
B) ColeusPlectranthus scutellarioides Campfire
C) GeraniumPelargonium hybrid
D) EcheveriaEcheveria ‘Ruffles’
E) SedumSedum hybrid
F) Coral bellsHeuchera Forever^® Purple
Container is 14 inches in diameter

Container designs by Christina Salwitz, The Personal Garden Coach

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A smart mulching tip using old nursery pots

Like many gardeners, our reader Mary hangs on to nursery pots rather than tossing them in the landfill, confident they’ll be useful someday. While mulching a newly planted garden bed, she stumbled on a clever new use: turning those extra pots into protective covers that shield young plants and make mulching easier.

Use nursery pots as simple mulch rings

Mary simply inverts a nursery pot of the appropriate size over each new or emerging plant before mulching the garden bed. The upside-down pots act as protective covers, allowing her to spread mulch quickly and evenly without worrying about burying tender stems or damaging young growth. When you slip off the pots, the mulch falls almost perfectly in place, leaving it a couple of inches away from the plant crowns.

Mulching made easy

This trick is especially helpful in newly planted beds where small plants can easily disappear beneath a fresh layer of mulch. Once you’ve finished, just remove the pots and stack them up to reuse again next season. See the tip in action at our test garden in the video below.

Tip submitted by Mary Dickinson, IL

Try this easy mulching hack!

Submit Your Garden Tip

Did you know that we pay $50 for each tip we publish in Garden Gate magazine? Send us your smart ideas and photos using our online form. Please include your name, address and daytime phone number in case we have questions.

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Plant this perennial front-yard flower border for bold color every year

If you’re like me, you’re always thinking ahead, no matter what season it is right now. That’s one great thing about gardening: There’s always something new to look forward to!

All the plants in this sunny combo are perennials, so once you get them planted, they’ll show off for years. Maybe you already have some of these varieties and are looking for companion inspiration. Or maybe you’re starting from scratch. No matter how you arrange them, they’ll give you plenty of color and texture while you’re planning for the next season! 

Add energy to an entry garden with these colorful sun-perennials

To make pink and purple blooms pop in a planting, combine them with splashes of white and chartreuse like you see here. Yellow and purple are across from each other on the color wheel, so this combination creates a high-contrast, energetic look for a front entry or sunny pathway.

Plant care tips

The salvia, veronica, betony and geranium will often rebloom if you cut them back by one-third to one-half when the first flush of bloom is over. Even if they don’t rebloom, cutting them back will encourage the foliage to grow in a tidy mound instead of sprawling open at the center.

Lady’s mantle plants also benefit from deadheading after blooming to keep plants tidy and the foliage looking healthy. Lightly shearing back the spirea’s spent blooms will clean it up for summer; it may send out a few new blooms later in the season too.

Another plus to these plants is that all of them attract bees and butterflies. And most are deer resistant, so you shouldn’t find that your plants have been “pruned” by anyone but you!

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Front-yard flower border plant list

A) Spike speedwellVeronica ‘White Wands’
Perennial; white spikes of flowers from late spring through summer; full sun to part shade; 14 to 16 in. tall, 16 to 20 in. wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 4 to 8

B) Meadow cranesbillGeranium pratense ‘Boom Chocolatta’
Perennial; blue-purple flowers in early to midsummer; full sun to part shade; 24 to 26 in. tall, 28 to 30 in. wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 4 to 8

C) SpireaSpiraea japonica Double Play^® Pink
Shrub; pink flowers from late spring to midsummer; part to full sun; 2 to 3 ft. tall and wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 3 to 9

D) SalviaSalvia nemorosa ‘Violet Profusion’
Perennial; bright purple flowers in late spring and early summer; full sun; 14 to 16 in. tall, 16 to 20 in. wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 3 to 8

E) Lady’s mantleAlchemilla mollis
Perennial; chartreuse flowers in late spring to early summer; full sun to part shade; 10 to 18 in. tall, 18 to 30 in. wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 4 to 8

F) BetonyBetonica officinalis ‘Hummelo’ 
Perennial; rose-purple flowers in late spring to early summer; full sun to part shade; 18 to 24 in. tall and wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 4 to 8

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Spigelia Spigelia marilandica

Type: Perennial
Blooms: Tubular red flowers with yellow interiors bloom in early to midsummer
Light: Part to full shade
Soil: Prefers moist, rich soil; tolerates wet soil
Pests: None serious
Size: 12 to 24 in. tall, 12 to 18 in. wide
Hardiness: Cold hardy in USDA zones 5 to 9

Brighten shade gardens with this unique perennial

This is the plant for you if you’re looking for something unusual for your shade garden. Spigelia marilandica (you might also find this plant by the name of Carolina pink or Indian pink) is native to the southeastern United States and it’s starting to take off as a garden plant, and a striking one at that.

Enjoy gorgeous blooms and handsome foliage

At 12 to 24 inches tall, this perennial is perfect in the middle of the border. Red is an unusual color for shade perennials anyway, and these trumpet-shaped beauties with the yellow centers would draw attention anywhere. The bold-textured foliage remains clean and fresh through the growing season, so the clumps help add some structure to your garden even when plants aren’t blooming.

Attract more hummingbirds

Hummingbirds love Spigelia marilandica, and it blooms in early summer, just in time for the arrival of ruby-throated hummingbirds in many areas. Although the biggest flush of bloom is generally in June, nipping off the faded flowers can encourage sporadic reblooming through the end of summer. You can also cut it back by about a third after the first flush of blooms, which can lead to some later flowers.

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Spigelia care tips

In its native environment, you’ll find this perennial along streams and in wetlands. It prefers moist, rich soil, with plenty of organic matter, so work compost into the soil at planting time to enhance the growing conditions. This perennial prefers part shade; the more moisture it has, the more sun it can tolerate. It will do best if it has some shade during the middle of the day.

Although it’s hardy in zones 5 to 9, it can survive winters in zone 4 with a little extra protection from chopped leaves or mulch. It might even reseed if it’s happy in its location. The black seed pods that form when the flowers fade will actually fling seed several feet when they pop open.

You may find the species at your local garden center or online, but there are also a few more compact cultivars available such as: ‘Ragin’ Cajun’, ‘Little Redhead’ and ‘Apple Slices’. No matter which one you plant, you’re going to love this striking plant in your shade garden. 

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Attract pollinators with a shade garden combo

Bring a bolt of color to your garden with this combination. Spigelia (Spigelia marilandica) will bloom in early to midsummer, with a few blooms persisting until fall. If you’re looking for something unusual for your shade garden, this is the plant for you. Spigelia is native to the southeastern United States. It will do best if it has some shade during the middle of the day. Although it’s hardy in zones 5 to 9, it can survive winters in zone 4 with a little extra protection from chopped leaves or mulch.

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Site this colorful planting near a shady deck or patio

In mid- to late summer, you’ll get an additional blast of color as the lobelia hits its stride. And the chartreuse leaves of the hosta will add a glow all summer long, adding depth to this shady planting. Try this combination near the deck or patio to attract hummingbirds who will love all the trumpet-shaped blooms. It’s also a good idea to site these plants close to the house or water source, to make it easier to give them the consistent water they prefer.

Hummingbird shade garden plant list

A) Cardinal flowerLobelia x speciosa ‘Vulcan Red’
Perennial; bright red blooms on dark foliage in mid- to late summer; full sun to part shade; 24 to 32 in. tall, 10 to 14 in. wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 6 to 10

B) HostaHosta ‘Fire Island’ 
Perennial; burgundy red stems, lavender flowers in midsummer; part shade to full shade; 14 in. tall, 18 in. wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 3 to 8

C) SpigeliaSpigelia marilandica
Perennial; tubular red flowers with yellow interiors bloom in early to midsummer; part to full shade; 12 to 24 in. tall, 12 to 18 in. wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 5 to 9

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Both types of garden fertilizer contain nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, the nutrients all plants require. Plants can absorb these nutrients however they’re made available. Both types have their place:

• Packaged organic fertilizers will improve soil structure and give plants a steady feeding, which is what you’re looking for in a permanent planting, such as a perennial border.
• In a container or a bed of annuals, where you want fast growth, you might choose a faster-acting or time-release synthetic fertilizer.

Comparing organic fertilizer and synthetic fertilizer

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How to Buy Mulch, Compost and Topsoil by the Numbers

It’s always frustrating to come home from the garden center with what you think is plenty of mulch, only to find that your estimate fell far short. Save yourself extra trips when you use this simple calculation to determine how much mulch, soil or compost you need for any job. And we’ll help you figure out the best way to move it too.

Calculate how much material you need in cubic feet

Length × Width × Depth (measured in feet)
For example, a 36 × 6-foot bed with 3 inches (.25 feet) of mulch:
36 × 6 × .25 = 54 cubic feet

Need a lot? Consider buying in bulk

Cubic feet ÷ 27 = cubic yards
For example, 54 cubic feet ÷ 27 = 2 cubic yards

Download the printable guide!

How do bags and bulk garden materials compare?

*Know your vehicle’s load limits!

A cubic yard of topsoil can weigh 1,000 to 3,000 pounds, depending on how much clay or moisture is in the mix. A cubic yard of compost is usually 1,000 to 1,500 pounds and bark mulch, 400 to 700 pounds. Don’t forget to include your own weight and that of any passengers in your calculations!

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Create a backyard oasis

With a light color scheme, geometric lines and minimalist furniture, even a small backyard patio can become a functional and stylish outdoor oasis. This guide to small patio ideas is inspired by modern hardscape trends that enable homes with the tiniest garden spaces to be great all year round.

How can modern design make a small patio look bigger?

Geometric lines create a sense of direction and openness, while light or neutral colors make the area feel larger by reflecting sunlight. Built-in or modular furniture and a few well-placed, structured plants are better than bulky items and cluttered flowerbeds. Draw the eye upward with a vertical garden, stone walls or string lights to add dimension without taking up floor space.

Material choices are also important in small spaces for reasons beyond aesthetics. According to Mid-Atlantic outdoor masonry design experts, Newline Hardscapes, “Breton permeable pavers are a three-piece mixed bundle (all on one pallet), crafted with a natural, stone-cleft finish. Enlarged lugs on the units’ sidewalls create quarter-inch joints that drain water to the permeable base when filled with a properly-sized aggregate. This infiltration filters stormwater and recharges groundwater sources, creating a sustainable pavement option.” For small patios specifically, these pavers eliminate standing water issues, require less drainage infrastructure and can reduce long-term maintenance costs.

3 Modern design concepts for small backyard patios

Choose from a minimalist lounge, a stone bistro dining nook or a Zen meditation space, depending on your lifestyle and preferences. All offer compact outdoor living you’ll love. According to the National Association of Realtors, you can recoup 95 percent of the cost of a new patio, so even on a small budget, it’s worth the investment.

The aim is “creating an experience so perfect you’ll never want to go back inside,” which, as Newline Hardscapes says, “takes a whole new way of thinking about pavers and walls.”

Which pavers have the cleanest lines for a modern look?

Large-format pavers are the top choice for fewer joints and a clean, uninterrupted surface. Porcelain tiles offer a similar benefit, with rectified edges that allow minimal grout lines. To compare the costs of porcelain tiles versus large-format pavers for a small patio, think long-term value. Porcelain tiles are generally more expensive. Quality pavers have exceptional durability, which can mean lower maintenance costs over time.

Small-Patio FAQs

What are sustainable paving options for a small patio?
Consider concrete-based permeable pavers that can capture 70% to 80% of rainfall thanks to enlarged lugs that allow water to drain through.

Where can I find a contractor who specializes in modern hardscape design?
Ask neighbors for recommendations, and check out reviews on local contractor websites and independent sites.

What can I do with a long, narrow backyard?
Add a built-in bench along one wall, with narrow planters opposite. Use elongated pavers to give a visual distance effect and add climbing plants on a trellis to soften harsh walls.

Small space, big impact

With thoughtful design, your small patio space has great potential. Using modern principles for layout, materials and furniture can create a beautiful outdoor haven even on a small budget. Make intentional choices to create a space you love to use.

Article written by Eloise Badenhorst