The many faces of the small garden: see which lovely face suits your space Some gardeners, when faced with a small garden space, bemoan their lack of space. These gardeners don't know how to make the most of the least. If you're frustrated with a tiny garden, here are several ways you can change this glass-half-empty picture into a spectacular display.

Let's say your small garden consists of a few steps, with a landing leading to your front door. Up to now, you've considered it an entry way, at best. If you browse through some of the garden magazines, or do a Google image search on 'entry way garden', you'll see there are literally thousands of ways to turn that entry way into a head-turning garden oasis. If your problem is a very small backyard, all you need do is decide what plants and flowers you love best and which will thrive in the available exposure. Whether your small garden is in shade or sun, there are gorgeous plants suited to this mini environment.

Rock gardens are perfect candidates for the small garden space. These look lovely, planted with native wildflowers. With careful planning, this garden can provide at least three seasons of interest. Look online for the many fabulous possibilities. If you love fresh flowers for your home, why not plant a cutting garden of your favorites. Cutting gardens take little space and you'll have all the fresh flowers you want. Bulb gardens in pots are a highly adaptable solution to the small garden space. There are bulbs which grow in every season, so you can have a rotating display of these lovelies. Again, take a look online at some of the bulb nurseries offerings. Bulb plants are some of the most beautifully and intricately patterned of all flowers. Some bulbs may also be forced, indoors for a thrilling mid-winter display. Potted bulbs have an additional advantage in being a movable visual feast.

If you have virtually no garden space, but do have a deck, patio or balcony, you're still in business. Pots, deck planters and hanging displays can make a formerly boring spot into a bountiful area of color and coziness. Depending on the exposure, any of these locations can accommodate miniature fruit trees as well. Trees can also be trellised for the ultimate space saver in your small garden. No matter how small your garden spot is, there is undoubtedly a way to create a beautiful landscape.

Now, let's take a look at the glass-half-full side of the picture. With a large garden, many's the time when the gardener is forced to neglect this or that garden task, due to other priorities. The small garden is, by definition, low-maintenance. You don't need complicated watering systems and timers and you surely won't break your back weeding! You may find your little garden so satisfying, you'll no longer yearn for acres of land.