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The Less Is More Garden: Big Ideas for Designing Your Small Yard
“Big ideas for your small garden.” —Garden Design When it comes to gardens, bigger isn’t always better, and The Less Is More Garden shows you how to take advantage of every square foot of space. Designer Susan Morrison offers savvy tips to match your landscape to your lifestyle, draws on years of experience to recommend smart plants with seasonal interest, and suggests hardscape materials to personalize your space. Inspiring photographs highlight a variety of inspiring small-space designs from around the country. With The Less Is More Garden, you’ll see how limited space can mean unlimited opportunities for gorgeous garden design.
381 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 7, 2018
96 people are currently reading
154 people want to read
About the author
Susan Morrison
38 books40 followersSusan Morrison is a landscape designer, master gardener and writer in the San Francisco Bay Area. Her designs have been featured in various publications, including the San Francisco Chronicle, Horticulture and Fine Gardening Magazine, where she also contributes articles on design and plant selection.
An early convert to the value of social media, she connects with gardeners from all over the world via Twitter and Facebook, and is a founding member of the Lawn Reform Coalition and the Garden Designer's Roundtable. In addition to writing for traditional media, Susan blogs about her life as a landscape designer and shares her challenges and successes as a home gardener at Blue Planet Garden Blog.
An early convert to the value of social media, she connects with gardeners from all over the world via Twitter and Facebook, and is a founding member of the Lawn Reform Coalition and the Garden Designer's Roundtable. In addition to writing for traditional media, Susan blogs about her life as a landscape designer and shares her challenges and successes as a home gardener at Blue Planet Garden Blog.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
February 12, 2018
As the title suggests, this book is focused on making the most of a small backyard space. It's divided into eight sections and covers a good amount of information. Here is a breakdown of each chapter:
Chapter 1 -- intent (what will you be doing in the garden? when will you be outside? who will be with you?)
Chapter 2 -- design
Chapter 3 -- guidelines for specific elements (like patios, decks, pathways, stairs, etc.)
Chapter 4 -- how to make the most of a small space (through vertical gardening, diagonal gardening, lawn alternatives, focal points, etc.)
Chapter 5 -- how to engage the senses
Chapter 6 -- hardscape elements
Chapter 7 -- low maintenance plants
Chapter 8 -- how to give your garden a sense of space that connects it to whatever region you're in
If you've read a lot of gardening books, much of this info will probably be familiar to you. But author Susan Morrison has a knack for delivering advice in a positive, creative, and engaging way. I found myself excited to change up certain elements of my garden and outdoor living space.
I was especially surprised to realize that I haven't been utilizing our backyard in a way that lines up with our lifestyle. For example (and this is so embarrassingly obvious, but oh well), I watch my kids play outside basically all summer. I love to sit in the sun and relax, but our backyard chairs are uncomfortable and smushed in the corner. Why do I do that to myself? You better believe that, come spring, I'm going to move our comfy chairs out to help make our yard more functional and cozy.
I've also decided I'm going to plant something fragrant by our backyard window, so the scent will waft through the backyard and even into our living room, the most used room of our house.
Little details like that make a difference---sometimes even a really big difference. I loved the quote from Steve Aitken (editor for Fine Gardening magazine) in the preface:
When confronted with something that isn't turning out the way we'd hoped, our impulse is to add something. [And when that doesn't work,] we add something else. What we wind up with is something so full of competing flavors, colors, tchotchkes, or plants that we can't even tell what the problem is anymore.
It's true. We don't need more stuff. We just need clarified and focused intent. An honest look at our own needs coupled with a simple but clear plan can help turn a dysfunctional space (whether sparse and cold or chaotic and overgrown) into a comforting oasis. I love that.
ARC provided through Net Galley...but then I bought the book anyway.
See more of my reviews at www.BugBugBooks.com!
Chapter 1 -- intent (what will you be doing in the garden? when will you be outside? who will be with you?)
Chapter 2 -- design
Chapter 3 -- guidelines for specific elements (like patios, decks, pathways, stairs, etc.)
Chapter 4 -- how to make the most of a small space (through vertical gardening, diagonal gardening, lawn alternatives, focal points, etc.)
Chapter 5 -- how to engage the senses
Chapter 6 -- hardscape elements
Chapter 7 -- low maintenance plants
Chapter 8 -- how to give your garden a sense of space that connects it to whatever region you're in
If you've read a lot of gardening books, much of this info will probably be familiar to you. But author Susan Morrison has a knack for delivering advice in a positive, creative, and engaging way. I found myself excited to change up certain elements of my garden and outdoor living space.
I was especially surprised to realize that I haven't been utilizing our backyard in a way that lines up with our lifestyle. For example (and this is so embarrassingly obvious, but oh well), I watch my kids play outside basically all summer. I love to sit in the sun and relax, but our backyard chairs are uncomfortable and smushed in the corner. Why do I do that to myself? You better believe that, come spring, I'm going to move our comfy chairs out to help make our yard more functional and cozy.
I've also decided I'm going to plant something fragrant by our backyard window, so the scent will waft through the backyard and even into our living room, the most used room of our house.
Little details like that make a difference---sometimes even a really big difference. I loved the quote from Steve Aitken (editor for Fine Gardening magazine) in the preface:
When confronted with something that isn't turning out the way we'd hoped, our impulse is to add something. [And when that doesn't work,] we add something else. What we wind up with is something so full of competing flavors, colors, tchotchkes, or plants that we can't even tell what the problem is anymore.
It's true. We don't need more stuff. We just need clarified and focused intent. An honest look at our own needs coupled with a simple but clear plan can help turn a dysfunctional space (whether sparse and cold or chaotic and overgrown) into a comforting oasis. I love that.
ARC provided through Net Galley...but then I bought the book anyway.
See more of my reviews at www.BugBugBooks.com!
January 16, 2018
I requested an advanced review copy of this book because my home sits plunk in the middle of a small lot with tiny front and back yards and I was looking for ideas. Boy, did I get ideas!
This book has an incredible amount of information to take in. Ms. Morrison provides lots of design theory (and the whys behind it) as well as sample designs. She speaks to the many uses for all types of plants, containers, paving materials, etc. to provide outdoor living space that you and your family/friends will truly enjoy. I loved the many pictures, the design and planting information, the charts and diagrams, and the advice for working in small sections. This is a great book to have around for reference and/or for inspiration.
I voluntarily read an advanced review copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley and I offer my honest opinion in response.
This book has an incredible amount of information to take in. Ms. Morrison provides lots of design theory (and the whys behind it) as well as sample designs. She speaks to the many uses for all types of plants, containers, paving materials, etc. to provide outdoor living space that you and your family/friends will truly enjoy. I loved the many pictures, the design and planting information, the charts and diagrams, and the advice for working in small sections. This is a great book to have around for reference and/or for inspiration.
I voluntarily read an advanced review copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley and I offer my honest opinion in response.
September 27, 2017
Excellent Resource! An excellent resource to gardeners like me, with smaller yards. While other books concentrate on grandiose plans for large, expansive yards, Morrison explains how "less is more" for the more common, urban sized yard. She offers practical advice to design the smaller areas, without "busting the budget". I will be using this book extensively for a long time! Wonderful photographs and ideas!
July 27, 2022
3 stars
This book wasn't all I had hoped, but I did learn a few new things. I found the first chapter to be the most invaluable, and the reason I bought this book. I had somehow never considered what I wanted to do in my garden, only what I wanted my garden to do. This idea was very eye opening. There were one or two other tidbits I found helpful.
All in all I think some people will love this book. It does have great photo's. More advanced gardeners might find the info repetitive of other sources.
This book wasn't all I had hoped, but I did learn a few new things. I found the first chapter to be the most invaluable, and the reason I bought this book. I had somehow never considered what I wanted to do in my garden, only what I wanted my garden to do. This idea was very eye opening. There were one or two other tidbits I found helpful.
All in all I think some people will love this book. It does have great photo's. More advanced gardeners might find the info repetitive of other sources.
July 17, 2020
Picked up on a whim to see if I could learn something. There is good knowledge but you have to work hard to find it. Not the gardening book for me.
November 20, 2017
I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The goal of this book is to help the homeowner design beautiful gardens for smaller spaces. Whether you're in a townhome or a freestanding home with a small yard, Morrison offers ideas for how to develop rich-looking, inviting garden spaces. The idea of carefully assessing the scale of what you can do in your space, by selecting plants, accessories/features, and especially furniture that fit the space but doesn't make the user feel, as Morrison puts it, like an adult squeezing into elementary school furniture. Morrison skillfully addresses the error of thinking that one large patio surrounded by a bit of lawn will feel larger than a number of smaller well-designed nooks or regions in your yard. She also examines planning for your year-round climate and its importance with regard to actual outdoor use. Climate should be what determines the features you elect to use in your garden. For example, do you really need a firepit in South Florida? The same space might be better served with a quiet water feature, like an urn fountain.
There's much to be learned from Morrison's suggestions. This is a useful book that helps the gardener understand the vital importance of scale in design.
The goal of this book is to help the homeowner design beautiful gardens for smaller spaces. Whether you're in a townhome or a freestanding home with a small yard, Morrison offers ideas for how to develop rich-looking, inviting garden spaces. The idea of carefully assessing the scale of what you can do in your space, by selecting plants, accessories/features, and especially furniture that fit the space but doesn't make the user feel, as Morrison puts it, like an adult squeezing into elementary school furniture. Morrison skillfully addresses the error of thinking that one large patio surrounded by a bit of lawn will feel larger than a number of smaller well-designed nooks or regions in your yard. She also examines planning for your year-round climate and its importance with regard to actual outdoor use. Climate should be what determines the features you elect to use in your garden. For example, do you really need a firepit in South Florida? The same space might be better served with a quiet water feature, like an urn fountain.
There's much to be learned from Morrison's suggestions. This is a useful book that helps the gardener understand the vital importance of scale in design.
July 6, 2018
I really liked this book but down graded my rating because of the book's subtitle, "Big Ideas For Designing Your Small Yard." There really aren't any small city lots photographed for this book, most are small to medium sized suburban lots. Other than that this book is great for anyone buying a new home and looking to create a new garden. Susan Morrison does a great job asking the "right" questions to insure your garden is designed for your family. There are a few areas she skipped over or completely neglected like children, play sets, pools, pets, trash cans, potting areas...in other words she focused on the pretty stuff. Morrison gardens in California so while she tried to address colder regions she did not do it very well. While she provides some plant lists they are very limited. The book had a great mix of written text and photographs.
August 28, 2017
The book says it’s the less is more guide to garden design, but it doesn’t look like it. All the gardens pictured are beautiful and full. The author goes through lots of things on how you too can do this at home. The things she wants you to consider are the usual, such as location and season, but also who will be using it and who will be with you, when you use it. It’s not a definitive guide, but it is a well done and gorgeous book.
December 7, 2017
The Less Is More Garden lives up to its name of Big Ideas for Designing Your Small Yard. Susan Morrison gives the homeowner with a small yard plenty of ideas, along with questions to ponder as they consider their landscaping. Besides the tips, and ideas, there are the important aspects of focusing on the people, pets and activities in which the area will be used as well as maintenance involved. These are extremely helpful in gardening planning besides the usual region or climate of where the home garden is located.
The photographs certainly drew the eye to the lovely possibilities there are suggested. However, the charts and templates were even more helpful. This is not a definitive how-to but more of guide that ask practical questions, gives possible solutions and allows the gardener to put their own personal stamp on the area around their home. While the entire focus is on small areas which is great, those with larger yard space would also benefit from considering much that is in this book. My home is located in a rural area on several acres, but I still found the tips, suggestions, ideas and thoughts to ponder valuable.
The publisher through Net Galley provided a copy.
The photographs certainly drew the eye to the lovely possibilities there are suggested. However, the charts and templates were even more helpful. This is not a definitive how-to but more of guide that ask practical questions, gives possible solutions and allows the gardener to put their own personal stamp on the area around their home. While the entire focus is on small areas which is great, those with larger yard space would also benefit from considering much that is in this book. My home is located in a rural area on several acres, but I still found the tips, suggestions, ideas and thoughts to ponder valuable.
The publisher through Net Galley provided a copy.
September 27, 2018
The reason I wanted to read this book is that I have a small yard, and designed/landscaped it a few years ago. I wanted to read this book to see what I had done well and what I can still do or improve upon. I found myself agreeing with the author throughout the book, as she suggested many ideas and strategies, several of which I had implemented. Great advice, a variety of solutions including theories and various climates, a very generous assortment of beautiful color photos (both landscape and hardscape), and a commonsense writing style which encourages both beginning and experienced designers/gardeners. What kicks this book up a few notches above many similar gardening/landscaping books is Morrison's emphasis on the concept of your garden having a sense of place. This is an inspiring book that offers an amazing amount of ideas and encouragement, whether you have just a deck or patio, or a small front or backyard you want to turn into a personal retreat.
September 26, 2018
I appreciated Morrison's encouragement to make my garden a place where I want to be. In other words my soccer/baseball field backyard can be so much more, but still remain the sports field my kids love. And no fireplace! It's too darn hot for South Texas and takes up prescious space. My half-hidden, triangular flower bed can appear bigger with a properly placed mirror. Walls and fences can be assets--think living walls or living wall art. The book was filled with tons of plant suggestions with pictures and descriptions. What I found most helpful is that Morrison is a California landscape designer, who has a tiny backyard! I find California gardens more comparable to Texas gardens than Midwest, New England, or across the pond gardens. I look forward to my backyard becoming the most popular room in my house, too.
Read
December 10, 2020Nice photos ( well, it's nature, hard to mess up). Most advice seemed rather generic- I skimmed toward the end. Includes apt discussion of seasonality, determining how space will be used, navigating the space, using vertical space, etc. One idea here: A large rectangle of lawn can make a space feel smaller. Quote: "If your backyard is only average sized, you might think transforming it into a series of separate spaces will make it feel smaller, but in fact, the opposite is true. A layout based on one large patio surrounded by lawn and garden lacks interest, which stops they eye(and the feet) from moving through and exploring the space. The result is a backyard that feels cramped and inadequate."
July 24, 2017
This book is full of useful ideas, hints and tips for designing your garden and making the most of the space available. It is full of handy diagrams and charts as well as beautiful photos of real life examples. The author focuses a lot more on what people want from their garden than on how to make it look a certain way or fit a particular style.
My only issue with the book though is that none of the gardens in the photographs are actually small. Some of them are massive!
[Free ARC from Net Galley]
My only issue with the book though is that none of the gardens in the photographs are actually small. Some of them are massive!
[Free ARC from Net Galley]
August 17, 2017
This garden book shows many different and unique ideas for using your front and backyard space to fit your needs. It asks questions such as, what are you doing to do in the yard, how often do you cook outside, need a play area, pet friendly, entertaining guests, and more. These make you really look at how you want to use your space. Includes garden plans and plant suggestions for all the settings. Pictures are beautiful and engaging. Lots of practical and easy to put into place ideas to make your garden work for you, not you working in it all the time.
June 7, 2018
This is a Timber Press book so it's quality all the way: sturdy cover, quality paper, LOTS of gorgeous pictures to give you ideas and inspiration. I confess I didn't actually read it. I've read a lot of gardening books and they say mostly the same thing. So I skimmed the writing and mostly looked at the pictures to get ideas I could implement in my garden. There were a handful which I liked enough to consider.
This book is definitely a good resource for people with a small space for gardens.
This book is definitely a good resource for people with a small space for gardens.
August 15, 2020
The design work in the book is thorough, good photography, some plant lists and garden plans. However, the author's idea of a "small yard" is a small-medium garden you'd find in the suburbs in America. Not that small, certainly not much help if you live in a city or have a genuinely small garden. The styling is one-note and a bit dated to my eye. Almost a non-style, like gardens for people that don't care about plants or gardening or design. Someone else described it as California centric, and if that's what you're looking for then this might be a useful book to you.
March 3, 2018
Actual rating 2.5. I was hoping for ideas for a small yard and was disappointed. The diagrams and examples she had were for yards that are huge in comparison to a small city yard. I would have to knock down several neighbor's houses to get a yard that big!
Because of this big discrepancy, it was not working (for me, at least) to try and adapt her advice to our small yard. The pictures were beautiful, though.
Because of this big discrepancy, it was not working (for me, at least) to try and adapt her advice to our small yard. The pictures were beautiful, though.
April 25, 2021
I really enjoyed reading this book. It has a lot of great ideas and practical advice. I borrowed several books from the library on backyard landscaping and this is the first of them that I’ve read. I don’t have a plan for my backyard yet but this book gave me a really good foundation for how to start. The photographs are beautiful.
October 4, 2017
Susan Morrison provides the reader with various gardens and you can pick and choose what works best for your garden. She provides questions and solutions for unique gardening dilemmas you may come across.
Received an advance copy through Net Galley.
Received an advance copy through Net Galley.
January 17, 2021
Practical advice
I enjoyed the practical advice in this book that was considerate of lifestyle first, and feels reasonable to accomplish. This is a must read for anyone working on their yard.
I enjoyed the practical advice in this book that was considerate of lifestyle first, and feels reasonable to accomplish. This is a must read for anyone working on their yard.
April 12, 2021
Lots of pretty pictures and a handful of useful tips! Like most landscaping books, it's not super practical in terms of cost and maintenance, and some of the "small" yards seemed pretty big to me, but overall it was a fun book to flip through.
Read
April 22, 2021Plant and hardscape sections were completely useless for me because they assumed I have a) money and b) a warm climate. She also recommends planting barberry at one point--yikes! I did like a lot of her advice about shaping beds and plant selection, though.
May 6, 2021
I'm sure there are many people who would appreciate the modern aesthetics and Western (US) focus of this book, but as an old-fashioned cottage gardener in New England, this book wasn't quite right for me.
September 16, 2022
4.5 stars.
Excellent resource book for Landscape Designers. It might be a leap Home Gardeners to understand some concepts in the book, but had valuable design concept ideas that I know I will be using for my future design work.
Excellent resource book for Landscape Designers. It might be a leap Home Gardeners to understand some concepts in the book, but had valuable design concept ideas that I know I will be using for my future design work.
April 24, 2018
Got to page 140. Liked it so far overall; some good general tips and ideas.
July 3, 2018
Great ideas for my own yard.
December 3, 2018
Lots of great info and ideas for small gardens.
August 19, 2020
A very American book, some good insights.
September 15, 2020
Thoughtful book about the basics of garden and patio design written in a great voice. I read every word of the whole book, which is not necessarily the norm with books in this genre.
February 15, 2021
Helpful! Will reference again
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews