Small but soothing

Homeowners want to transform a limited backyard into a lush retreat

A garden design focused on tranquility can be the perfect antidote as infill development creates smaller yards and increases the intensity of Portland's urban terrain.

"Small can be beautiful," says Ron Hampel, who shares a charming 1905 Southeast Portland home with his wife, Clare Midson, and their son, Andreas, 2. The couple envision creating a cool, contemplative refuge in the 16-by-28-foot backyard -- an area just under 450 square feet.

Small spaces are inherently intimate, providing a more direct experience with the garden than a more expansive space might allow. The quality of the small garden is less about the framed view from a fixed vantage point and more about being part of the space.

At its best, a small garden envelops you and hugs you close. But this requires creating a plan and then sticking to it because of the need for efficient use of space.

Taking the first steps toward the "lush, green oasis" of their visions, Hampel and Midson removed a graying cedar deck that once took up a good slice of the space. The lack of shade trees to the south made the deck unbearably hot in summer, and they liked the idea of a shade garden.

They put in a wood fence and an arbor gate and prepared the ground for planting and paving. The now-blank canvas is ready to be transformed into a garden with a patio to be used for small gatherings and outdoor dining.

"This is the kind of backyard many urban dwellers have," says Hampel. "It is small, enclosed and is the only land we have of our own."

GOALS

Create a lush, shady retreat that brims with green and encourages lingering.

The couple want to minimize hardscape elements, using soft edges, soothing textures and time-worn materials.

In addition, they would like a "cool and contemplative" space, implying that the garden should be a refuge from the hot sun as well as the bustle of life.

DESIGN SOLUTIONS

Yard map: The yard is a flat, empty rectangle that needs to be broken up according to its key uses -- such as patio, entryway and garden beds -- and how you will get to them. At the same time, it's important to think about such factors as size, sun vs. shade, degree of privacy and style.

Patio: To give a more intimate feeling, situate the patio as far as possible from the street and sidewalk; for convenience, put it close to the back door. By making the patio a step lower than the rest of the yard, it becomes further delineated as a "room" and feels more private.

Allow at least a foot between the patio and the fence to make room for plants that will edge the sunken patio and spill over its ledge. In general, patios should be at least 6 feet wide on all sides.

Path: The most interesting paths meander and obscure their destination from direct view but still provide an efficient route from place to place. A curving path is the perfect balance because it suggests a continuum of space and opens up room for a planting bed alongside the deck.

Trees: Trees delineate the spaces and provide structure in the garden. Two small trees, for example, placed on both sides of the path near the patio visually signify a transition into the private area of the garden. Small trees or shrubs around the patio give an added feeling of enclosure. A tall but narrow specimen at the south end provides the desired shade.

Plants: Generally speaking, the eye and mind prefer things to be presented in small, manageable units. In the garden this means planting in multiples -- typically three or five -- with a limited number of choice species. Plant collectors may scoff at the idea of sticking to a limited palette, but a quiet, restful planting scheme requires simplicity and repetition.

To add to the soothing effect, let plants with soft, feathery textures and rich greens and blues dominate the scene at ground level.

Plants for small gardens

Shade tree: A white-barked Himalayan birch (Betula utilis var. jaquemontii), with a mature size of about 45 feet tall and only 20 feet wide, would be tall enough to provide light shade over the garden but wouldn't grow too wide for the space. Birches are also fast growers, which means the full-sun yard will be a shady retreat in no time.

Small trees or multi-stemmed shrubs: Many shrubs can be limbed-up for a treelike effect. In the 8-10 foot range, try seven-son flower (Heptacodium miconioides), lily-flowered or star magnolia (Magnolia liliiflora, Magnolia stellata), fringe tree (Chionanthus virginicus), silk-tassel bush (Garrya elliptica 'James Roof') or vine maple (Acer circinatum).

Vines and perennials: The options are limitless. Maximize the planting area with trellises and arbors to support vines such as climbing hydrangea for shade or passionflower for sun. Ferns, meadow rues, corydalis or bleeding hearts add to the soothing effect at ground level.

Lisa Russo

Source : OregonLive