Create an adults zone

Create a sleek chill-out zone that includes a generously cushioned sofa and chair. Filippo also recommends a fire-bowl from Solus Decor, which is fuelled by a reservoir of bio-ethanol. “It doesn’t generate a lot of heat but it is very atmospheric, and since the whole unit is portable, it allows total flexibility, which can be really useful if you are entertaining,” says Filippo.

Planting in smaller gardens

In smaller gardens, Filippo’s advice is to concentrate planting into just one or two significant areas. “You get so much more impact from one really generous ornamental bed than you could ever achieve by dotting the same number of plants through skinny strips around the whole garden.”

Multi-stemmed trees are ideal for smaller gardens. Filippo recommends Amelanchier x lamarckii and strawberry trees (Arbutus unedo), which are tolerant of a range of conditions. Here’s our feature on colour and layers in a small garden. 

Lighting for small gardens

Garden lighting can be roughly divided into two types – the atmospheric and the utilitarian. In both cases, it’s best to keep it as soft and subtle as the situation will allow. Filippo suggests lighting up several significant trees and spreading subtle pools of light along the path.

Screened off areas

“Veiling one part of the garden is really effective in a small space,” says Filippo. He suggests screening off the garden office, studio or shed from the main garden by a mix of airy perennials, such as Cephalaria gigantea, Erigeron karvinskianus and Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Hameln’ and domes of Pittosporum tenuifolium ‘Tom Thumb’.

Lay a garden path

To help soften the garden, Filippo recommends putting in a winding path of Vande Moortel clay pavers, laid on a permeable sand base. “Laying them to curve through the most densely planted area helps create a valuable sense of journeying through the garden, on route to the playhouse or studio office, rather than just rushing from A to B.”

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