Landscapes in Small Spaces
Ar. Swati Kiran
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“To see a world in a grain of sand and heaven in wild flower Hold infinity in the palms of your hand and eternity in an hour”; so said English poet William Blake. Gardens inspire writers to prose and singers to croon, awed by the beauty of nature. It is thus natural that most people want homes surrounded by trees, lawns and flowering plants. However, with the fast-paced growth of cities and diminishing open spaces, gardens have become a wishful thought. Independent bungalows are converted to apartment complexes that need open areas for circulation, parking, generators, security and other services. Yet, the love for nature drives most community living projects to develop and nurture any available green spaces into little oases of tranquillity for those who care. The city of Bangalore is an example of an urban centre transforming itself from a garden city to a concrete jungle. Even in the dreariness of such unbridled growth we can reclaim our relationship with nature by creating landscapes in the smaller spaces that we live in today.
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The areas that can be cultivated are the ground level common areas in apartment complexes or residential enclaves and gated communities, open cut-outs and pathways in the circulation space and terrace gardens. On a smaller scale the indoors spaces of homes and balconies can be beautified with greenery. The landscaping or the art and craft of gardening involve the use of plants to enhance an existing built environment. It works as a living décor aspect that changes day-to-day and with the seasons to give the viewer an aesthetic visual as well as much joy. The beauty of the plants is enhanced in turn by using interesting containers, interesting add-ons like trellises, unique settings and proper placement.
At Ground Level
Landscaping within the compound is possible with appropriate zoning while planning the apartment or community spaces/enclaves. Since individual gardens per home are not possible, using the common areas is the viable option to ensure visual succour to users of the space. The elements in this space would be decorative trees like swaying palms, Gulmohar, Michelia champaca or the ubiquitous coconut, shade-giving Silver Oaks, Rain Trees or even Eucalyptus, shrubs, flowering plants like zinnias, salvias, dahlia, roses, petunias and lawns. Juxtaposing the varieties is an art that a landscape designer hones to perfection to ensure an ambience that is visually appealing, easy to maintain by a community and provides privacy, security as well as a sanctuary in the open.
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The paved pathways that lead to separate blocks and the various amenities provide ample opportunities for greening. Grass in the gaps between pavers forms a tactile framing to the blocks and an interesting contrast. If wide enough, these paths can be lined with shrubs as well as flowering plants like poinsettia, oleander and chrysanthemum at two levels. Box window planters overlooking this area will have a dual effect of being a delight to the home owners as well as the viewer walking along the path outside.
Along the way, the circulation pattern may traverse an open cut out or courtyard which acts as a pause space as well as an area for activities. The edges of these can also be highlighted with plants. This could be even a creeper climbing the vertical dimension of this area thus incorporating a living wall into the external décor.
The path can also skirt small water bodies like a fountain or an artificial pond that can be a haven for water plants like lilies. Even the poolside can look bare without the green touch and this can be in the form of planters or a large shady tree alongside. The caveat here is that debris from the plants should not fall into the water as it then becomes a nuisance to keep the pool clean. When possible, the landscaper may create artificial levels and aspects to enhance the plants. A theme can be followed. The final colour scheme that will flower and flourish should be kept in mind while planning so that a contrast or complementary effect to the built spaces can be achieved.
Garden accessories are like ornaments and can consist of outdoor furniture, birdbaths, seating patio; pottery and sculpture. Using the plants themselves as decoration is an aspect of landscaping called Topiary. This involves pruning and cutting shrubs and plants to a desired shape or grown around a frame that could be abstract, geometric or organic. This aspect of gardening requires care and patience and is best done by an expert.
In the Home
Going by the intriguing name of ‘fairy’ gardens’ these miniature creations are perfect for small spaces. It consists of small plants of various types put together in an attractive manner along with mini topiary, furniture, fountains and objects like toadstools or figurines. The combination of textures and colours of the plants and flowers provides an interesting interlude in a balcony or even indoors. The greenery can even follow a theme and could be entirely of Bonsai, cacti or other succulent plant varieties.
Even an apartment can boast of a kitchen garden. Herbs like coriander, mint, curry leaves, green chillies and salad greens can be planted in boxes and anchored firmly to hang on the inside of the kitchen utility or balcony wall. Apart from being refreshing to view, they can also be used in cooking. The savviergardener can be adventurous and try an odd tomato or brinjal plant too!
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If space is at a premium a Terrarium is the way to go. This is a mini indoor garden in a glass container. They require minimal maintenance and are ideal as desktop décor, along ledges, atop a pedestal or in a niche or corner of a home. The plants are usually of the small variety that is shade-loving and easy to grow. The containers are of transparent glass and should have a lid and their unique form will give an added character. From jam jars and vases to aquariums; the terrarium will blossom in all these glass options. With some creativity plants can also be grown in deep plates, decorated with pebbles and ornaments and used as a table centrepiece.
The balcony is a great area for added a touch of green to the home. For those living on higher floors of an apartment building visual access to the gardens at the ground level are limited. To overcome this disadvantage a mini garden can provide the visual stimulation required while looking out from within the four walls of a room. An interesting alternative to potted plants is a vertical garden. Usually the plants used are creepers, bougainvillea or ficus that will grow on a trellis or framework. However racks of small pots can be stacked with an adequate watering and drainage system and provide lovely cascading greenery and colourful flowers along the wall.
On the Terrace
Apartment complexes offer a large rooftop area ideal for gardening. If planned in advance special care can be taken to ensure that adequate water proofing and drainage is provided at the roof slab level. Structural strength should also be considered as the weight of soil and plants will add to the load. Once these aspects are taken care of, lawns, trees and plants- Banana, Guava, and Papayaare idealfor a green getaway. Interesting seating, some covered patios and pathways to walk between the Geraniumor Hibiscus rosa-sinensis plants will add to the ambience. Interesting ceramic or earthen planters also add to the look as do small fountains, birdbaths, wind chimes and aquariums with colourful fish will add zest. A small green house to cultivate delicate plants may also be a unique addition to the terrace as will a rockery in one corner of the space. Strategically placed stone, wood or ceramic sculpture makes the garden come alive as these aspects create a lot of visual interest. Industrious communities even use the roof tops to grow organic vegetables and medicinal plants that provide healthy pesticide- free produce and good returns on the investments.
Aesthetic lighting options will convert all garden areas into a dreamy space at night when the cool breezes and stars in the night sky will vie for attention along with the shadowy shapes of the surrounding plants. In the words of Thomas Moore, “From plants that wake when others sleep, from timid jasmine buds that keep their odour to themselves all day, but when the sunlight dies away let the delicious secret out to every breeze that roams about.”
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