15 Genius Ways to Garden Anywhere
On a driveway, atop a doghouse, up a wall--here's how to garden in small and unusual spaces.
Garden in a driveway
Landscape architect Jeni Webber replaced this Palo Alto home's solid driveway with two strips of concrete, leaving space for a tiny garden in the middle.
In a posthole
This mini park in downtown Portland (planted in a spot meant for a lamppost) proves that there is no space too small for a garden.
Between pavers
Randi Herman wanted to plant something unique between the pavers in her Berkeley backyard; instead of using predictable groundcovers she went for a mix of lettuces and beets.
On the patio
Having fresh greens at your fingertips is one of the best parts of the growing season. And with a raised planter on the back patio, you can have a continual supply of salad greens nearly year-round.
You can make one using a ready-made redwood window box from the nursery.
Atop a doghouse
Even Fido deserves a living roof.
You can buy this stylish doghouse from prefab firm Modern Cabana. The roof is ready to plant.
More on great drought-tolerant plants ideal for roofs.
In a tray
Irish moss and Scotch moss combine with lady's slipper orchids (Paphiopedilum) to form the illusion of a garden.
A copper tray catches drips from terra-cotta pots with soft earth-tone glazes.
Copper tray: 14 inches square; $26 from Smith & Hawken (800/981-9888). Terra-cotta pots: $16 - $50 from Bluestone Main (707/765-2024).
On a birdfeeder
This easy-to-assemble birdeeder is the perfect place to plant a miniature green roof. Groundcovers like moss, ivy, thyme, and small sedums will flourish in the shallow depth of the feeders' roof.
In a chair
This plant stand was once a chair.
The project is easy to complete: Simply remove the seat, find a pot that fits, and paint the frame a bright, fun color.
More on turning garage-sale finds into garden art
In glass
Plant a tiny cactus or bromeliad in a glass vase and you have an instant sculpture. The only additional materials you need are some polished stones and a small container.
In a mini beach
If you yearn for the beach but live miles inland, you can re-create the look easily in a pot.
You'll need a low, wide pot, potting soil, 3 small, slow-growing plants, sand, and a few small beachy items (like driftwood).
Behind a bench
Homeowner and artist Michael Shemchuck created this look on a small patio by growing a young espaliered fig against a dark exterior wall.
The bench is really a metal-framed daybed.
On rocky ground
Jeff Moore, owner of Solana Succulents nursery, created this scene at the Quail Botanical Gardens in Encinitas, California.
To get an underwater feel, he stacked lava rocks and planted succulents that mimic marine plants and creatures.
Create your own succulent-heavy, underwater-themed garden
In an ornament
This tiny terrarium would make a great gift. The 5-inch globe contains its own little garden, which your special someone can marvel over (while thinking of you) every day.
Plants are included. $25; floragrubbgardens.com.
On a coffee table
While not your typical houseplants, a trio of potted miniature water plants look unbelievably lush displayed on a coffee table.
In a parking lot
Like a lot of good chefs, Mark Williams grows his own herbs for his kitchen.
He liked having a fresh herb supply on hand so much he asked the company for permission to take over an unused parking lot to install a full-fledged garden.
Everything is in old bourbon barrels.
Find out what plants might work well in your small space, based on your climate zone. And if you don't know which region you're in, look up your climate zone here.