Sky's the limit for your outdoor spaces

Good landscape design is all about perspective, and this winter, things are looking up—literally.

If you’ve been discouraged by your yard’s pint-sized footprint, consider vertical gardening, a practical way to personalize even the smallest space. Vertical gardening grows plants upwards on walls or trellises, bringing new dimension to your outdoor space and allowing those with less room on the ground to still spruce up their yards.

Create a statement piece at the entrance of your yard with an arbor, which can be customized to fit any space. Use hooks, twine or wires to add roses, wisteria or ivy for a pop of color.

Tomatoes are a great choice for novice gardeners. Start with dwarf varieties ideal for containers; add stakes or cages, tuck the pot away in a corner and watch them thrive. Cherry and grape tomatoes do well in hanging baskets, which can be hung from freestanding hooks or overhangs.

For experienced green thumbs, plant herbs, succulents or winter blooms like jasmine in a stacked or tiered planter. Lean it against a wall or the side of your house to maximize space.

With vertical gardening, one simple plant is an easy first step to creating the yard of your dreams — no matter its size.