Tricky-Shaped Landscaping Tips

Many homeowners struggle with landscapes that may be oddly shaped or have a tricky layout. Features such as narrow spots, sloped areas, and irregular plots can make garden design more difficult, but this does not mean it has to hinder your efforts.

Although your garden may be tricky-shaped, it does not have to be unattractive. There are some clever ways you can make the most out of any landscape shape, and as leading landscapers, we are here to share how.

Green Acorn is a leading landscaping and garden design service in the North West. We offer a comprehensive range of services to bring out the best in any garden, including tricky-shaped landscapes.

In this blog post, we are sharing our best landscaping tips for tricky-shaped gardens to help you get inspired and create an outdoor space you can be proud of.

The First Step: Understanding Your Space

Before we can offer any tricky-shaped landscaping tips, we first need to address how this project should begin. You cannot begin to implement garden design techniques and features without understanding the landscape first.

This is why all of our garden design projects begin with a site assessment, where we will inspect the garden to determine its shape, condition and climate. These factors are then used to inform any future decisions.

When designing a tricky-shaped landscape, you first need to work out what kind of shape we are dealing with and what can be done with these conditions.

Take some time ahead of implementing tricky-shaped landscaping tips to determine what your issues are, for example, limited space, uneven ground or odd angles.

During your assessment, you also want to pay attention to sun patterns in your garden, as this will influence what kind of plants can thrive here. Pay attention to and note the best areas in your garden for natural light, as well as areas of concern which may be dark and therefore unsuitable for certain flowers or shrubs.

During this assessment, you also want to inspect the soil condition. Soil sensors can be used to help with this, as these will deliver readings of the moisture and nutrient levels in your soil to give you a more accurate understanding. Drainage also needs to be inspected, especially in sloped or angled gardens.

Plant choice and landscaping decisions will vary based on the condition of your soil, and whether this can be improved.

Tricky-Shaped Landscaping Tips To Suit All Gardens

Once you have assessed the condition and climate, you should have a better understanding of how tricky-shaped your landscape is. This can then help you determine how to make the most out of the space and the design tips that will be best suited to the space.

Consider the shape of your garden to find the best tricky-shaped landscaping tips.

Long And Narrow Gardens

If you have a long and narrow garden, your main concern will be taking advantage of the space available. It is easy for long gardens to become cluttered and misused because it feels as though there is not enough space to manage. However, with the following tricky-shaped landscaping tips, you can take advantage of your landscape:

• Zoning: Use different surfaces to break up the garden into separate zones, each of which can be used for a new purpose. For example, a paved patio area, separated from the lawn, and a flower bed at the top end of the garden.
• Curved Pathways: Use a bespoke, innovative shape of pathways to create a better sense of flow throughout the garden.
• Vertical Planting: Save valuable ground space without missing out on greenery and colour by planting vertically. Use existing structures, such as fences, retaining walls or pergolas, to train climbing plants and draw the eyes upwards.

Sloped Or Uneven Landscapes

A sloped garden can be difficult to design because of the various soil conditions that may be present. Uneven gardens can deal with varying lighting levels, meaning there cannot be a uniform appearance of the space as a whole.

However, by understanding the needs of your landscape it is possible to create a beautiful space with tricky-shaped landscaping tips like:

• Tiered Levels: Whether through raised planters or retaining walls, consider making the uneven ground a feature in your tricky-shaped landscape by creating a tiered display. Complement the space with plants of varying heights, such as shrubs and ornamental grasses.
• Stepped Pathways: Steps can improve accessibility to uneven areas within your garden, as well as become a focal point. Stone steps can be a beautiful addition to your patio area, creating a sense of separation while making use of your uneven surface.
• Decking: Create an even surface on even the most sloped foundations with bespoke decking. Adorn with outdoor sofas or a dining set to enjoy more time outdoors.

Irregularly Angled Gardens

An angled garden can be the perfect opportunity to create something innovative and bespoke. This does not necessarily have to hold you back but will require you to think outside the box when it comes to garden design.

If your entire garden is at an odd angle or you have specific zones which feel impossible to manage, consider these tricky-shaped landscaping tips:

• Embrace Asymetry: If you can’t beat it, join it! When dealing with a tricky-shaped garden like this, sometimes the best thing to do is embrace it by using organic shapes, instead of forcing straight lines.
• Curved Layouts: Curved layouts of paving, patios or planting areas allow you to work with the shape of your garden. This can also help to soften any sharp angles or harsh lines that may be present in your landscape for a more welcoming appeal.
• Strategic Planting: Plant flowers, tall shrubs or ornamental grasses strategically in difficult corners or to disguise the awkward shape of your garden and allow for a better design flow.

Small Gardens Or Courtyards

Being limited on space does not mean you have to be limited on design features, as some clever tricky-shaped landscaping tips can help make the most out of what you do have. It is possible to create a cohesive, attractive garden even in the smallest spaces through the following:

• Planting For Microclimates: Small gardens often have a microclimate of all their own, which means a unique condition to any other outdoor space. This can be used to plant a variety of species in your small space, such as drought-resistant plants for sunny spots or shade-loving flowers for enclosed areas
• Mix Heights: To give the illusion of more space in your small garden, plant for height. Use a variation of flowers, plants and shrubs to create a tiered display which will draw the eyes up and create the illusion that there is more space.
• Light-Coloured Hardscaping: Choosing light shades of hardscaping, such as porcelain patios or natural stone pathways, will make your small garden appear larger by opening up the space and attracting more light.

Creating An Attractive Landscape, No Matter The Shape

Taking the time to understand the limitations of your outdoor space can make it easier to design a new one. In many cases, such as small or uneven gardens, the best way to create a stunning space is to work with the limitations of the landscape.

Many of these tricky-shaped landscaping tips encourage you to work with the angles, layout and conditions of your garden, instead of fighting against them. This can help you create a bespoke garden that thrives in the unique conditions of your location.

With our experience and skills, Green Acorn Landscape Design can help you make the most of your outdoor space – no matter the shape. We have worked with clients across the North West,
allowing us to get experience in all forms of landscape management.

We will create a bespoke garden design that complements the needs of your landscape and your lifestyle. Whether you are dealing with a small, narrow or uneven landscape, we can help.

Contact Us Today

To get started on your garden makeover or to learn more about our services, please contact the team today.