Garden experts share tips to maximize small and late‑summer gardens

Horticulture specialists recommend several low‑maintenance ways to add density and visual interest to limited garden spaces. B&Q’s horticulture expert Mark Sage suggests using hanging planters—including self‑watering models from IKEA—to exploit vertical space, layer trailing and upright plants, and create a lush, overflowing look without expanding the garden footprint.

American Horticultural Society senior director Matt Mattus advises repositioning existing potted tropicals and annuals during late summer, moving them to prominent borders or decks to refresh the garden’s appearance. He also recommends adding fresh potted annuals to garden edges to brighten borders when existing blooms fade.