Friday, March 20, 2015

More Ideas for the Narrow Space Between Suburban Homes

Private garden, Mississauga ON

Happy first day of spring! In today's post, I have ten ideas for that long, awkward space 
between suburban homes.

Private garden, Mississauga ON

1. Create with a striking entrance to entice friendly visitors. A pretty gate also creates a bit of a mystery by blocking the view to the back garden.

Private garden, Toronto, ON

2. Add decorative details to your gate like a door bell, a welcome sign or a wrought 
iron wall decoration.


3. Keep it neat and choose low maintenance plants. Who wants to try to manoeuvre a lawn mower in the tight area at the side of a house?

The box hedge lining this path probably needs no more than a trim once or twice a year.


4. Choose plants that will look good throughout the seasons.


The small scale conifer and hostas (assuming you can keep the slugs at bay) in this example are going to look great from spring into fall. The two also mix to create a lovely texture story.

Private garden, Toronto, ON

5. Create a path that is both attractive and comfortable to walk on. This even walkway will make it easy to roll bikes, wheelbarrows and recycling bins in and out of the backyard.

Private garden, Burlington, ON

This is one of my all time favourite pathways. I love the mix of flat stones and large pebbles.


Private garden, Mississauga ON

In this example, reddish colored pine mulch contrasts nicely with the grey bricks.

Private garden, Toronto, ON

6. Make sure the view in the distance is attractive. 

Who wouldn't want to enter this back garden just to get a closer look at that pink Beauty Bush?

Private garden, Mississauga ON

Here the view is to a less glamourous utility shed, but it everything is still tidy and presentable.

7. There is usually walls or fencing between suburban homes. 

Attach a trellis and take advantage of this vertical space to grow something beautiful. If you are lucky enough to have sun, try a honeysuckle, clematis or a climbing rose.

Private garden, Mississauga ON

Private Garden, Brampton, ON

Private Garden, Brampton, ON

If you have a shady wall and lots of room, a Climbing Hydrangea like the 
one seen above might be nice.

Private Garden, Brampton, ON

8. Even a chain link fence can be dressed up with hanging baskets.

Private garden, Mississauga ON

In this instance, the path accommodates differing elevations and an 
entrance at the side of the house.

Private garden, Mississauga ON

9. The area at the between houses is usually quite shady, so select plants that will thrive in shade or part shade. 

In this garden hostas, ferns, Bleeding Heart, Periwinkle have all been incorporated. 


Aren't the textural leaves of this hosta amazing?


10. Hang a decorative ornament to embellish a plain Jane fence. This faux window also brings the flowers up to eye level where you can appreciate them best.


Have a wonderful weekend!

18 comments:

  1. Oh gosh! All your examples look so inviting and I would like to take a peek beyond all those gates. The sap is rising and all the old excitement with gardening kicks off again, so it is lovely to have a bit of inspiration along the way!

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  2. Such beautiful spaces, they just beckon you to come on in. They are all so green and lush! Too hot and dry for that here I'm afraid. I love those types of gardens!! Thanks for all the super ideas

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  3. You always share such wonderful ideas...thank you!

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  4. You officially knocked me out with this one....holy cow are those gardens amazing! The story of my life...living in the burbs and super close to my neighbors. You have inspired me to take it up a notch with these gorgeous gardens! And how sweet is that bell!! Beautiful Jennifer! Nicole xoxo

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  5. Jennifer these examples are absolutely stunning !! ... the first several pictures hide houses so well you would have no idea they are there with so much foliage .. just gorgeous and screams no buildings allowed ? haha
    I am working with a narrow space between my home and my neighbor's .. slowly but surely !
    I want to make it look like the entrance to a secret garden : )
    Gorgeous pictures girl !
    Joy : )

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  6. Beautiful photos!!! Great ideas as well.

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  7. What lovely photo's again. I particularly the hosta - the texture on the leaves are amazing, like a work of art somehow.

    All the best Jan

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  8. Great post on what is always a difficult space for homeowners. Thanks for identifying that Beautybush in the background! I just purchased one of these and it was great to see a photo of one and how it's used in someone else's garden.

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  9. We don't live in the suburbs, so I don't have a space like this, but I almost wish I did to try to copy some of these great ideas! My favorites are the ones with a gate leading to the side yard; they make me want to take a peek at what is inside.

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  10. Beautiful gardens! If anyone has a similar space that she or he does not know what to do with, you have certainly provided them with all the suggestions they need!

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  11. I no longer have the small space issue but I still need to create an entry to my property which will draw people in. Lots to think about.

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  12. I just love small spaces, they fascinate me. The way gardens have been designed here is amazing. They are all beautiful and I loved all your tips and suggestions.xxx

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  13. The space between my neighbor and I is only 8 feet wide. I stuffed a row of limbed up Prague viburnums in the space to disguise how narrow it is. It works but it's not as creative as the examples above. Their air conditioning units are right across from the viburnums. Ugh! But that's life. I love how well designed the spaces in these pics are.

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  14. What a great idea for a post. The examples you show are stunning. Having a small garden I am afraid this part of our garden is like a junk area,

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  15. Lovely photos. Several things here to think about when designing garden space. I always enjoy seeing how gardeners use space and combine plants.

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  16. Oh my these are quite stunning plants and entrances...I have been meaning to make a few changes to one side of my garden and there are some great ideas here.

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  17. Hi, Jennifer!
    Good ideas, love these narrow paths, they are so cozy. And all plants look perfect in such places.

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