An example of a narrow space garden

Design and InstallationGarden Caregarden TriviaLighting and IrrigationPlant Health Care
Written By Peter Morris

We have had quite a few questions lately looking for ideas on gardening ideas and advice for long narrow spaces.

Not everyone has the luxury of a sprawling rooftop garden, but that does not exclude you from utilizing what outdoor space you have.

 

Sunlight

 

Be very aware of the direction of the light as that will dictate many things within your outdoor space.   That includes type of plants chosen, furniture materials, flooring and colors. 

 

A steel plate flooring looks amazing but will not work in every situation due to overheating - therefore making the space unusable at the hottest point in the day.

 

Compact and private - what's not to like

 

Railings

 

Softening railings with plant material is also a really good idea. But if you have an amazing view don't put anything in that will obstruct that view.  For a privacy hedge use evergreen plants to avoid losing the privacy in Winter.

 

A tall fluffy hedge keeps peering neighbors out.

 

Hardscape

 

Pots and planters in a narrow space need to be unobtrusive.  Same for furniture - you only have so much space.  Choose up right or structural plant material so that it does not encroach on your livable space.

 

All very upright and very private too !

 

Lighting

 

We cant stress enough how important lighting  is to your outdoor space.  It not only helps you see but it also gives it an element of romance at night time.

 

Featured up lights in the planters makes for a delightful night time space

 

 

Are you ready to transform that narrow outdoor spot into a lovely oasis ?

Call Plant Specialists TODAY !

Our Design Team can do wonders in the smallest of spaces!

Don't delay – the sooner the better !

 

GREENING NEW YORK FOR OVER 52 YEARS !

 

 

Article written by our Staff Horticulturist, Peter B Morris, BSc, MSc, MBA

All photographs used with permission from our own customers gardens !

 

 

 

 

 

Peter Morris

Peter was born and raised on a beautiful green island in the midst of a tropical rainforest. He was introduced into the world of plants at the age of six when his grandmother, an avid Spanish gardener herself, asked him to help her grow seeds for her pepper garden. He was hooked! By the time he was a teen, he had his own rose and orchid collection numbering in the hundreds. Botany was in his blood, and that is what he set out to study.

His passion brought him to NY in the late seventies to further his education. His tenacity allowed him to work full time at Plant Specialists while he completed a MS in Plant Biology. As a manager at the time he felt unsatisfied with his knowledge of business and business processes. Peter felt compelled to learn, so he then pursued and completed an MBA in Quality Management within a few short years.

Peter’s other passion is teaching. His natural ability is quickly consumed by our staff in all subjects in Botany, Horticulture, and Landscaping. He created an immense reference library of more than 3,500 plants providing an invaluable resource for our staff.

Peter’s breadth of knowledge and wisdom allows him to effectively diagnose the needs of plants. Sometimes just by walking into a garden he can create a prescription that fixes even the hardest issue. He is our Staff Botanist, Diagnostician, and all around Mentor. Recently, he has put his immense knowledge and skills into developing a new department that focuses on Plant Healthcare. As he puts it, “Magic through Science”. The PHC staff that surround him have avidly consumed his teachings. Substantially developing their own plant wisdom, many have taken on difficult plant health issues with spectacular results.

Plant Healthcare has been an instant success with customers! The proper treatment of insects and diseases including Organic methods has made pest control a necessity for every plant. Correcting hormonal imbalances caused by planting in containers or refurbishing soils leached of nutrients by irrigation systems are big challenges PHC has become quite comfortable addressing. The scientific approach to the complex demands of keeping plants healthy in our harsh city environment has made many a customer say WOW!

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