“A book is like a garden carried in the pocket.”

—Chinese proverb

Pocket gardens take up little space but can make a big impact in your yard. If you have a small area to work with or simply want to create a cozy nook for escaping with a good book, consider incorporating a pocket garden for reading into your landscaping. These quaint spaces will give you stories to explore every time you step foot outside.

What Is a Pocket Garden?

Pocket gardens are perfect for small spaces. They feature patches of plants in tight areas. They might be a necessity if you feel like you live on a postage stamp and need to break up the space. Or, if you have a larger yard, you can opt for smaller spaces to create a cozy atmosphere and a variety of themes throughout your yard.

Also called literary or Shakespeare gardens, the nooks they create are perfect spots for reading.

Make a Plan

The first step in creating a pocket garden is to create a plan. A crucial piece of information for the plan is who will be using it. Will it just be for you to sneak away from the world? Or does your whole family need to fit in the nook? The garden can be adapted either way. The more people to fit, the bigger the space needs to be.

Deciding where in your yard to locate the garden is another crucial factor in planning. You might keep it away from your patio or other outdoor living space so that those areas don’t feel crowded. If you’d like to maintain open space for kids to play, your pocket garden for reading probably shouldn’t be right in the middle of the yard. 

Consider sun exposure in various areas because that determines what type of plants will work best. For example, most succulents need a decent amount of sunlight, but ferns can handle shady spots. Choose areas that could use some sprucing up with more color or texture. Areas of the yard that you already find relaxing are good places to start. Consider other existing features like steps or pathways, too. Putting plants in between rocky steps is a unique touch, and pocket gardens that appear at the end of a meandering path are a whimsical addition to any yard. 

Create a Theme

A common practice with pocket gardens is establishing a theme. If you have more than one pocket garden, you can incorporate multiple themes into your yard. A few possible themes include edible gardens, butterfly gardens, moon gardens, tropical gardens and native gardens. The plants and decor you choose will help make the space fit the theme. You can also design the space based on your favorite book or author. Does the main character spend her afternoons pondering life while pruning roses? Does the chef at the protagonist’s local diner use home-grown garnishings?

For help with planning a pocket garden, consider partnering with a landscape designer for guidance. 

All the Fixings

The plants you and your designer choose to incorporate should require little maintenance and not pose a threat of invading. They should act as foils for one another, contrasting in color and height so each selection stands out. Succulents are a great choice for your garden because they can grow in tight spaces; they also don’t require much watering. The design should take plants’ blooming seasons into account so the garden has life all year long. One rule of thumb for design is to aim for 80 percent flowers and 20 percent grasses. 

Since you will use this garden for reading, you will want it to be a quiet space. Consider adding a barrier around your garden with hedges, trellises or tall planters. Soft surfaces will absorb sound, so plant lots of flowers with textured surfaces. If the sound of trickling water is calming to you, consider adding a water feature. This will add peace to the space and distract you from the distant noise of traffic or neighbors. 

Don’t forget to incorporate lighting so that you can read any time of the day. Outdoor string lights are a fun feature if you have a wall, fence or tree to hang them from. Landscape lights can be incorporated along the ground to illuminate plants and the space you are relaxing in. You can also have a small table and reading lamp, if the size allows.

Having comfortable seating is crucial for a space meant to bring relaxation. Rustic options such as twig furniture or a retro glider are popular. Or you can add a simple outdoor chair or bench. Leopold benches have a minimalist design that won’t detract from the colorful blooms around you. Swings are a fun option, as well. Don’t forget the cushions to keep you comfortable. 

Your Landscape’s Next Chapter

Pocket gardens are a great feature if you want to take your love for reading outside. For help bringing the Bard to your yard, please contact us online or call (513) 791-2820.