Small gardens present a unique challenge: how to create a focal point that doesn’t take up too much space.
Luckily, there are plenty of creative solutions for adding interest and personality to a small garden.
From using unusual materials to creating vertical gardens, these ideas will help you make the most of your limited space.
12 Dazzling Small Garden Focal Point Ideas For Your Garden
A pot with a beautiful plant or flowers to add life and color to a small garden
In this case, you can set up such focal points as, a blue and white ceramic pot filled with pink impatiens, a weathered stone urn with trailing ivy, a metal bucket filled with annuals or herbs, an old wheelbarrow filled with colorful flowers, and a rustic wooden barrel overflowing with annuals.
A gazing ball surrounded by pebbles or stones
This is a classic garden focal point, and it’s also very easy to create.
You can buy glass or metal balls in a variety of colors, or even make your own. Simply set the ball on a stand or in the center of a group of pebbles or stones.
Set up a metal archway covered in climbing roses
A small archway covered in climbing roses makes a beautiful and romantic focal point.
You can buy metal arches at most garden stores, or make your own out of rebar or pipe. They can have multiple designs like a curved arch, an A-frame, or a simple arch.
A birdbath surrounded by flowers
Birdbaths make lovely focal points, and they’re also a great way to attract wildlife to your garden.
Look for a birdbath made of metal, stone, or ceramic. Then, surround it with colorful annuals or perennials. Some flowers that birds love include: Sunflower (Helianthus spp.), Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus), Coneflower (Echinacea spp.), Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), Aster (Symphotrichum spp.), Daisy (Bellis perennis), Marigold (Tagetes SPP.), Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis), Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia), and Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina).
Create a vertical garden with climbing plants
If you have a blank wall or fence, turn it into a vertical garden!
All you need is a few pots of trailing plants or vines such as Climbing Hydrangea (Hydrangea anomala ssp. petiolaris), Clematis (Clematis spp.), Chocolate Vine (Akebia quinata), Purple Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata), Hardy Kiwi Vine (Actinidia arguta or Actinidia kolomikta), Trumpet Vine (Campsis radicans), Star Jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides), Climbing Roses (Rosa spp.), Mandevilla (Mandevilla spp.), Moonflower (Ipomoea alba), Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spp.), Cape Honeysuckle (Tecoma capensis), Black-Eyed Susan Vine (Thunbergia alata), Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica), Cup and Saucer Vine (Cobaea scandens), Snail Vine (Cochliasanthus caracalla), Bleeding Heart Vine (Clerodendrum thomsoniae), Corkscrew Vine (Vigna caracalla), Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea batatas), and Snapdragon Vine (Maurandya scandens).
Train the plants to grow up the wall using wire, trellis, or other support.
A bubbling fountain
Fountains add the sound of water to your garden, which can be very calming.
They come in a wide range of sizes, so you can find one that fits your space. They also have multiple designs like tiered fountains, wall fountains, and tabletop fountains.
A tiered fountain looks like a classic water fountain with multiple levels of cascading water. On the other hand, wall fountains take up very little space. Similarly, tabletop fountains are small and can be placed on any flat surface like a patio table or garden bench.
A bench or chair surrounded by flowers
Turn an old bench or chair into a beautiful garden focal point by surrounding it with flowers.
Choose a bench or chair that’s comfortable to sit in, then plant colorful annuals or perennials around it. Look for interesting chair designs like a heart-shaped back, an antique chair, or a metal bistro chair.
A sculpture or piece of art
Sculptures and other pieces of art make great focal points.
They can be made from a variety of materials like metal, stone, glass, or even recycled materials. When choosing a sculpture or piece of art, make sure it’s the right size for your space.
You can also DIY your own sculpture using found objects from nature like sticks, stones, or shells. Or, you can buy a ready-made sculpture from a garden center or online.
Some interesting sculptures to set up include: metal windmill, bird feeder, sundial, gazing ball, stone animals or figures, and totem poles.
Potted trees
Potted trees make unique garden focal points.
They can be placed on a patio, deck, or balcony. Look for dwarf fruit trees like Cherry Guava, Lychees, Jaboticaba Fruit, Mulberry, Medlar, Apples, Quince, Loquats, Mango, Citrus Trees, Cherries, Apricots, Avocado, Pomegranates, Plums, Persimmons, Pears, Peaches, Pawpaw, and Figs.
To set up a potted tree properly, make sure the pot has drainage holes and use a quality potting mix. Water regularly and fertilize monthly during the growing season.
A colorful garden shed
A garden shed can be a great focal point, especially if it’s painted a bright color.
You can use it to store gardening tools, potting soil, and other supplies. Or, you can turn it into a cozy garden retreat by adding a few comfortable chairs and some shelves for books.
A birdfeeder for a charming focal point
Birds are a garden’s best friend. They help pollinate plants and control pests.
So, it’s only fitting to have a birdfeeder as a focal point in your garden. Not only will it attract birds, but it will also give you something pretty to look at.
When choosing a birdfeeder, make sure it’s the right size for your space and the type of birds you want to attract. Some popular birdfeeders include: tube feeders, hopper feeders, window feeders, and platform feeders.
The birds you might want in your garden include Bluebirds, Chickadees, Wrens, Nuthatches, Purple Martins, Woodpeckers, Tanagers, Owls, Hummingbirds, Goldfinches, Hawks, and Helmeted Guineafowl.
Stone pavers laid in a pattern for an attractive garden path or patio
Stone pavers are a beautiful and durable way to create a garden path or patio.
They come in a variety of colors, sizes, and shapes. And, they can be laid in a variety of patterns. Some popular patterns include: herringbone, basket weave, running bond, and diagonal.
When choosing stone pavers, make sure you have the proper tools to install them.
