If you've ever looked at a garden maintenance quote and thought, "Surely there's a smarter way to do this," you're not alone. The good news is that there usually is.

If you live in Barking Riverside, you already know the charm of a smaller garden: a bit of privacy, a patch of green, maybe a terrace, courtyard, balcony edge, or compact lawn that has to work hard all year.

Transforming a plain patio into a serene, secluded oasis may seem like a daunting challenge, but the secret could be as simple as incorporating tall-potted plants.