There’s nothing quite like having a lush, mature garden in your backyard, but achieving that can often feel like a daunting and expensive task. However, with the right strategies and a bit of creativity, you can make your garden look fuller and more mature without breaking the bank. In this article, we’ll share eight tips that’ll help you achieve that dreamy, mature garden look you’ve been longing for, without requiring you to spend countless hours or dollars on the process. Whether you’re a gardening novice or a seasoned pro, these tips will help you create a beautiful and vibrant backyard oasis.
Gardening is not an immediate process, especially when compared to interior design where a fresh coat of paint can bring your vision to life almost instantly. However, waiting for your garden to mature can leave it feeling lacklustre and empty in the meantime. Luckily, there are several landscaping ideas that can make your garden look fuller in the short term without breaking the bank.
Megumi Aihara, founding partner and principal of architecture and landscape design studio SAW, suggests budget-friendly gardening installations that include the use of different hardscape materials, plant sizes, and working in different phases. She notes that a garden is always a work in progress.
To create a fuller garden in the short term, choose fast-growing plants. Landscape designer Patricia Benner recommends Sycamore and Chinese Elm trees as fast growers that can quickly develop a significant presence. However, be mindful of their size and space requirements. Some fast-growing trees can grow large enough to overwhelm small gardens and may require extra maintenance and pruning.
Planting trees, shrubs, and other plants closer together can add immediate visual weight to your garden. While this can create an instantaneous ‘wow’ factor, this option may require more maintenance in the long run to avoid overcrowding as plants grow.
Investing in a few select trees is also a good idea. They can be used as a focal point in the garden and can elevate the entire outdoor space regardless of what the rest of the garden looks like. Mike Lucas, co-founder of Lucas & Lucas, suggests investing in native olive trees that can add interest and character to your garden. He explains that at $5-7k, the maturity of the trees is hard to find elsewhere, and their success rates are usually 95%+ when transplanting.
If there is no room for a tree, a tableau with some large focal points can create necessary grounding for an outdoor room.
‘Filler’ plants, such as Hebe or ornamental grasses, can help fill out your garden with lush greenery for relatively low cost. Ground cover plants like creeping thyme or sweet woodruff can also be used to cover bald patches of uncovered soil without overcrowding your garden.
Adding height to your garden can be accomplished with fast-growing trailing plants that can climb pergolas or trellises. Climbing plants like honeysuckle can create a layered look, providing your garden with immediate foliage at height.
In conclusion, gardening requires patience as plants take time to mature. While there are several landscape ideas that can make your garden look fuller in the short term, be sure to consider the long game. Starting with smaller plants and spacing them with time in mind allows for gradual evolution of your garden and can reduce the risk of costly mistakes. Ultimately, a garden is a work in progress, and any short-term solutions should be considered part of the overarching plan.
