narrow space, need ideas

17 years ago

Between the end of my concrete porch and my garage that pokes out beyond the house, I have a narrow space. About 4 feet wide, about 5 ft deep. So, this space is defined by the garage wall, the porch, the house, and, in front, the sidewalk to the front door.

When I moved in, I planted a Tinkerbelle lilac grafted onto some kind of tall rootstock, in that space. I loved the scent and the shape. However, I also have the only front yard access to the hose in that same spot. As the shrub grew wider and wider, I had a hard time getting to the hose bib. So, had it cut down last year. Now what do I do?

I need a narrow something to enliven the spot. This is south facing, and protected from our west winds.

Right now, it is filled with vinca, which is taking over, and I want to get rid of it.

I thought of a bunch of lilies. Or maybe a Clematis to grow up the small garage wall

I did put an extension hose on the hose bib and hung the hose on the porch post, but I still have to get to the faucet to turn the water on and off.

Front yard,---needs to look good. Any ideas for me? thanks, Pondy

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Comments (13)

tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
17 years ago
With that kind of a protected cove, you probably have a micro-climate of at least zone 6. I'd look into one of the many smaller lace-leafed japanese maples (acer palmatum dissectum). I'm sure there are a few that are small enough for that space.

tj
aka_margo
17 years ago
I would highly recommend some kind of clematis against the garage. Just remember to shade the bottom and roots of the plants.

A japanse maple would be very cool also. I have a Little Miss Kim Lilac that is a minature lilac. Have had it for 3 years and it has stayed very petite. I know Jung's had them in their bare root room last year.

If you are looking for more shrub ideas, there are a ton on new Weigela on the market this year. Depending on the color of your house they now have a minature of wine and roses. It is either called Fine Wine or Midnight Wine, not sure which.
Jen
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Serenae, thanks so much for the extra info. It is very helpful especially since the metal fence, cement patio and full sun will be hot, hot, hot! The cement patio and fence foundation may also suck quite a bit of moisture away from the plants. 6" of space with cement on both sides may cause for perennials to be rootbound at some point unless their roots can travel down depending on how far down you plan to dig out and ammend soil. I didn't ask how long the planting area is. If it is very long I do think some height here and there throughout will help balance the space. If you have all short plants it may look out of proportion for the length and height of the fence/planting area. My other thought is that you may want to order from some good, quality mail order companies that ship smaller perennial plants so their roots can really grow and find their way into the space and you won't be trying to jam large nursery plants into a small space. Bluestone Perennials or High Country Gardens (HCG has a lot of plants for hot, dry climates/gardens) come to mind. Or another option, and I don't know if you start seeds, is to stick with annuals that will really fill in and bloom all summer and well into the fall for you. There are many annuals out there that like hot/dry. I'm almost thinking of your area like a window box if that makes sense. Just because it's so narrow and where will the roots go with cement on both sides? That may be cost prohibitive to have to do each year though. If the choice is perennials, I do like Flora's idea of getting grasses into the border. Hope that helps a bit. It sounds like a challenging space, but I think that makes gardening fun!
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Thanks for the responses folks...I do need to learn to think outside the box. Delta Breeze - I'm planning to put a tall hutch to the right of the front door, and my writing desk/hutch to the left of it. I do like the idea of the bookcase to the right of the window. I'm going to move it though, center the table and see how that idea works. I think the right side chair will be too cramped. I'm beginning to think the table being off-center from the window might be okay. Les917 - I had thought by doing the lopsided curtain/swag I could make an illusion that the table was centered over the imaginary window! The table would stay where it is now, it would just look like there was more window to the left. I love all the ideas you offered, and I do hope to swag the light once the furniture placement is set. Rob333 Thanks for the link. I can't wait to try it. This isn't really a dining room; it's just a breakfast/tea area so I can take advantage of the one bright, sunny window during our long, S.A.D., North Dakota winters. There will be a small eat-at island in the kitchen and the "real" dining room will be set up out on the four-seasons sunporch...eventually! GardenWebber (Love the name!) I think you're right about the table being too close to the wall. Here's a poor drawing I have of the room. It shows the dimensions. It's rather narrow and cramped. The room is just under 12' wide, about 24' long. The opening between the L/R and kitchen is just over 8' wide. The wall with the short bookcase is about 40" wide. The area between the front door and the corner of the south wall is 30" wide.
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The wall is 3 feet high. Right now it just has some type of green succulent growing on it and some hens and chicks that have happily survived through prior owners neglect but they don't bring much color. I definitely like the idea of having some things spill over the wall. I was trying to find a shrub/tree to start to work from ( a direction like yardaark mentioned) and that would also give me an idea of a color scheme. I had wanted a weeping type of shrub so I could under-plant and still have an airy look but everything I found so far was too wide. I don't want to experiment too much because I have too much to do in the yard over the next couple of years. They house didn't come with much other than some overgrown privets (ugh). I'll have to visit some other nurseries in the area so see what they might be offering.
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pondwelr
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks for responding tj and Jen. Didnt think about the fact that its protected because I am not one of the adventursome ones who like to push the zone. I'll have to get out to some local nurseries and see what they have that is "mini-sized". pondy
heartsease
17 years ago
Maybe a columnar Pink Spires crabapple?
tufameister
17 years ago
How about a Rhamnus Frangula Fine Line shrub. I have one and just love it - very unique.

http://www.songsparrow.com/2007new/plantdetails.cfm?ID=605&type=Woody%20Plants&pagetype=plantdetails

Shipping is expensive, but well worth it I think.
tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
17 years ago
tufameister- Rhamnus Frangula is in the buckthorn family and quite invasive.

tj

Here is a link that might be useful: UCONN Horticulture
janetpetiole
17 years ago
Most buckthorns are extremely invasive but the Fine Line buckthorn produces few seeds which haven't been found to be viable.

It's a pretty plant and is becoming widely available.
http://www.springmeadownursery.com/fine_line.htm
tufameister
17 years ago
I've had mine for about 5 years now and haven't had even one seedling produced. It really adds a nice texture to the garden with it's feather/fern-like leaves. Mine is about 5 feet high and 3 feet wide. They do well in sun or part shade.
pondwelr
Original Author
17 years ago
tufameister, I guess I wont consider the Rhamnus frangula, after reading about it on UCONN. I do understand liking certain type of leaf forms. My space dimensions are very limited tho, and I need a small shrub, very narrow, or just some stately perennials. And I think I will go with perennials.
Thanks for the input. Pondy
tufameister
17 years ago
Be sure to let us know what you planted! Might give the rest of us some ideas for a smaller space.
cherylann128_yahoo_com
17 years ago
I, too, am looking for a tall, narrow shrub to plant as a privacy hedge between my patio and neighbors yard. I don't want something that's going to be too dense and would even prefer not to have a straight line of one plant but I don't know a thing about gardening and have no idea what to use. I thought I could do a row of crape myrtle, which thrives at the Jersey shore but am worried it will grow too wide...I really can't go wider than 4'. Any help or ideas would be very much appreciated!
cheri127
17 years ago
bump
pondwelr
Original Author
17 years ago
Boy, and I think I have problems. Cheri127 needs a privacy hedge less than 4 ft. Yowza! I would consider off-set and angled tall privacy fences. Grow lovely vines up them so that they look great from your side. (the patio)
///// This is what I mean, only more angled, of course.

How I wish I could solve my problem with structrual elements.

Good luck to you Cheri from Pondy

narrow space, need ideas

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tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱

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