Designer style for tiny spaces
Gardeners World|September 2022
Small-space solutions aren't the first things that spring to mind when you think of the world's grandest flower show, but Chelsea 2022 was packed with ideas for tiny plots. We scoured the show for the best, finding clever ideas for containers, seating, water, homegrown crops and more.
Designer style for tiny spaces

Here are our favourites, all proving that high-end design can have a place in any garden - even if space and budget are in short supply. Many of the ideas were spotted in the gardens of first-time Chelsea designers, showing that the rising stars of tomorrow are in tune with the everyday challenges of today. So, read on and soak up the latest designer inspo that could transform your small space.

Bite-sized design

Chelsea was packed with creatively planted containers, all showing that it's possible to plant the perfect pot for any style of garden.

1 Got shade?

No problem. Here weathered stone troughs are filled with ferns of all shapes, along with hostas and brunnera, to perk up any gloomy corner. The climbing star jasmine adds fragrance too.

2 Create a complete garden in pots - roses, peonies, grasses and even small trees (such as acers) can all be grown in containers, then rearranged or changed with ease.

3 Brighten balcony railings with a vibrant planter filled with flowers in a contrasting hue. Combining tall plants with trailers gives maximum colour and impact.

4 Upcycle a galvanised tub to make a rustic container pond. Planted with a selection of compact marginals, it's just the thing to attract wildlife into a small space.

Fresh from the pot

You can feast on delicious homegrown harvests no matter how compact your plot - these space-saving ideas caught our eye...

This story is from the September 2022 edition of Gardeners World.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the September 2022 edition of Gardeners World.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM GARDENERS WORLDView All
A new plot for tasty crops
BBC Gardeners World

A new plot for tasty crops

Taking on a new allotment needn't be hard work. By simply following a few easy tips you can have bumper crops in no time, just like Alessandro Vitale

time-read
7 mins  |
July 2024
We love July
BBC Gardeners World

We love July

July is an island floating between the joy of June and the slightly fatigued month of August. It's a grown-up month: the year has shrugged off its adolescent exuberances, the weather is (hopefully) warm enough for ice cream to be one of your five a day, the sea should be swimmable without (too much) danger of hypothermia and thoughts will be of holiday shenanigans and family barbecues. School's out this month, the next tranche of glorious summer colour is washing across our borders and it's my birthday. Lots of reasons to give three rousing cheers for July!

time-read
3 mins  |
July 2024
YOUR PRUNING MONTH
BBC Gardeners World

YOUR PRUNING MONTH

Now, at the height of summer, Frances Tophill shows how to boost your plants' health and productivity with a timely cut

time-read
3 mins  |
July 2024
Hassle-free harvests
BBC Gardeners World

Hassle-free harvests

Flowers are out in abundance this month and for Jack Wallington, many of these blooms make delicious, low-effort pickings

time-read
4 mins  |
July 2024
Bite-sized bounties
BBC Gardeners World

Bite-sized bounties

Glorious doorstep harvests can easily turn into gluts, so let Rukmini Iyer's recipes help you savour every last bit

time-read
3 mins  |
July 2024
Upcycled outdoor living
BBC Gardeners World

Upcycled outdoor living

Create unique and stylish garden features for minimal cost using reclaimed materials and simple DIY skills. Helen Riches shares four step-by-step projects and more inspiring eco tips

time-read
6 mins  |
July 2024
Secrets of a COLOURFUL GARDEN
BBC Gardeners World

Secrets of a COLOURFUL GARDEN

Buildings and landscapes can play a vital role in supercharging your space, as Nick Bailey demonstrates

time-read
4 mins  |
July 2024
Greening up a city balcony
BBC Gardeners World

Greening up a city balcony

Looking for sustainable, small-space gardening ideas? Take inspiration from Oliver Hymans' transformed balcony garden in north-east London - now a lush, green haven for humans and wildlife

time-read
3 mins  |
July 2024
The dry and mighty garden
BBC Gardeners World

The dry and mighty garden

As we adapt our gardens to a more volatile climate, Alan Titchmarsh reveals how to create a drought-tolerant plot and picks his top plant performers

time-read
6 mins  |
July 2024
Nature knows best
BBC Gardeners World

Nature knows best

Carol Klein explains how to choose plants for specific growing conditions, based on what has naturally adapted to thrive there

time-read
5 mins  |
July 2024