Urban Plantings for Local Gardens
In the heart of bustling cities, finding a tranquil oasis can be a challenge. However, with careful planning and the right choice of plants, small city gardens can become havens of peace and privacy.
The planting of Phlomis russeliana is a great start, its fabulous flowerheads adding a touch of magic to planting schemes and looking particularly enchanting when covered in frost. With pale-yellow, hooded flowers above heart-shaped leaves from late spring to early autumn, it's a perfect choice for small city gardens.
For a comprehensive solution, consider a combination of narrow evergreens, dense shrubs, and thorny or architectural plants. This layered approach provides privacy, noise reduction, and intruder deterrence. Tall, narrow evergreens like compact hollies, inkberry, or narrow conifers are ideal for tight strips and fence-line screening, as they provide height without taking excessive ground space. A mid-layer of shrubs, ideally with dense branching or prickly leaves, improves privacy and acts as a physical obstacle that deters intruders. A low, dense groundcover or spiny hedge reduces access at foot level and helps break/reflect sound near the ground.
Consider plants such as Narrow evergreen hollies or inkberry, columnar conifers or compact yews, dense, thorny shrubs like certain cotoneasters or berberis, small urban-adapted trees like Eastern Redbud, and thin, tall perennials for very narrow strips where shrubs' rootballs won't fit.
When it comes to planting and design, layer the tallest narrow screens at the back (or along the fence), medium shrubs in front, and low dense/spiny plants nearest paths or boundaries to both deter entry and reduce sound at human height. Choose evergreens for continuous screening and sound absorption. Narrow cultivars recommended for tight spaces are available, including certain hollies and elderberry cultivars.
Remember to consider plant toxicity and maintenance. Some effective screeners, like elderberry, can be toxic to pets, and thorny deterrent species require pruning and care. Combine planting with hardscape (fences, walls) and lighting for increased deterrence.
Exact species and cultivars depend on your climate zone, sun/shade, soil, and local rules. Local nurseries or landscapers can match narrow cultivars to your site.
The list includes Wood spurge (Euphorbia amygdaloides var. robbiae), Brunnera macrophylla 'Jack Frost', and Sarcococca confusa, among others. City gardens tend to be smaller than the average plot, but with the right choices, they can become thriving havens.
References: [1] RHS (2021) Choosing the right plants for privacy. Retrieved from https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=427 [2] Horticulture Week (2021) Small gardens: designing for privacy. Retrieved from https://www.hortweek.com/design/article/1688806/small-gardens-designing-privacy [3] The Spruce (2021) Privacy plants for small gardens. Retrieved from https://www.thespruce.com/privacy-plants-for-small-gardens-1421374 [5] Gardens Illustrated (2021) Small-space gardening: creating privacy. Retrieved from https://www.gardensillustrated.com/content/small-space-gardening-creating-privacy/
- By selecting plants such as Phlomis russeliana and other appropriate species like narrow evergreen hollies, inkberry, columnar conifers, or compact yews, home-and-garden enthusiasts can transform their small city gardens into a lifestyle haven, providing not only visual appeal but also privacy, noise reduction, and intruder deterrence.
- To maximize the benefits of a small city garden, consider layering the garden with tall, narrow evergreens, medium shrubs, and low, dense groundcovers or spiny hedges, tailoring the choice of plants to the specific climate zone, sun/shade, soil, and local rules for a thriving, private oasis in the heart of the city.
