When it comes to garden design, many people focus on the horizontal plane, forgetting that the vertical space around them offers untapped potential. Whether you have a small urban garden or a sprawling backyard, utilizing vertical spaces can transform your outdoor area in ways you might not have imagined. In fact most gardens that I design include some form of vertical greening.
Image: Garden Design by SMG, Photo Credit by Josephine Ball
Why Go Vertical?
1. Maximize Space: In smaller gardens, vertical planting allows you to make the most of limited square footage. By growing upwards, you can fit more greenery into your space, turning even the tiniest corner into a lush oasis.
2. Create Enclosure and Immersion: Vertical elements help to enclose a space, making it feel more intimate and immersive. Walls of greenery can create a cozy, secluded environment where you can escape the outside world.
3. Enhance Privacy and Screening: Vertical planting is a natural solution for privacy. Whether you're screening out neighbours or simply softening the look of a fence, plants grown vertically can provide a beautiful and effective barrier.
4. Add Beauty and Texture: Vertical gardens introduce layers of texture and color at eye level, making your garden more dynamic. Espaliered trees, living walls, and climbing plants add a stunning visual appeal that flat surfaces just can’t achieve.
5. Increase Greenery: Even in larger gardens, vertical planting can increase the amount of greenery. It’s an ideal way to soften hardscapes, like walls and fences, and create a more natural, inviting environment.
6. Increasing Habitat and Biodiversity: The more elements, layers and types of foliage that are incorporated into your garden, the greater contribution you can make to create a haven not only for people but for all living creatures.
Image: Garden Design by SMG, Photo Credit by Josephine Ball
How to Use Vertical Spaces in Your Garden
1. Self-Clinging Plants on Walls or Fences: Plants like ivy or climbing hydrangea can cling to surfaces, covering them with lush foliage. This is a simple and effective way to green up a plain wall or fence.
2. Climbing Plants on Trellises: Install a trellis over posts or use reo mesh to support climbing plants. This method is perfect for adding height and interest to your garden. Consider using ornamental varieties like wonga wonga vine, or go edible with passionfruit or grapes.
3. Espaliering: This technique involves training trees or shrubs to grow flat against a structure, like a wall or fence, using wires. Espaliered fruit trees or citrus not only save space but also make harvesting easier.
4. Vertical Architectural Wires: Attach vertical wires to a wall or post and guide twining plants, such as Madagascar jasmine, to climb up. This creates a sleek, modern look that’s both functional and stylish.
5. Vertical Gardens with Pots: For a more structured approach, install a vertical garden system that includes pots and an integrated watering system. This is ideal for herbs or small flowering plants, adding greenery to otherwise unused vertical surfaces.
6. Hedging for Boundaries and Dividers: Hedging plants along a boundary or to divide different garden areas create natural screens. Choose from a variety of native and exotic species to suit your design and climate.
Image: Garden Design by SMG, Photo Credit by Josephine Ball
Plant Choices for Vertical Spaces
When selecting plants for vertical gardening, consider their growth habits and the space available. Here are some of my favorites:
Chinese Star Jasmine: Perfect for ornamental screening, its fragrant flowers add beauty and scent to any garden.
Snake Vine or Wonga Wonga Vine: This native climber is great on a trellis, offering a stunning display of flowers.
Passionfruit or Grapes: For an edible screen, these vigorous climbers provide both privacy and delicious fruit.
Espaliered Fruit Trees or Citrus: These are ideal for small spaces, allowing you to enjoy fresh fruit without sacrificing garden space.
Madagascar Jasmine: This twining plant is perfect for vertical wires, adding an exotic touch with its fragrant white flowers.
Herbs in Pots: Create a living wall with hanging pots filled with herbs like thyme, rosemary, or mint, providing fresh flavors right at your fingertips.
Conclusion
By incorporating vertical elements into your garden, you can create a space that feels larger, more private, and filled with beauty. Whether you're working with a compact courtyard or an expansive yard, vertical gardening offers endless possibilities to enhance your outdoor living experience. So look up, and start thinking about how you can make the most of your garden's vertical spaces!
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