For a huge chunk of the country, especially younger homeowners, the average garden runs to about twelve square metres. That's roughly the size of a large bathroom. The team at British Garden Centres has put together some straightforward advice for anyone looking to get more out of a small plot this summer.

- Pots are your best friend. One of the most flexible things you can do in a garden of any size, and they are portable and changeable! Terracotta (holds up well) and fibreclay (similar but weighs less) are the best choices.

- The thriller, spiller, filler trick. It sounds formulaic, but the results rarely look it, as the combination of heights and textures does most of the work for you! Plant something tall and dramatic in the middle (the thriller), something that trails over the edges (the spiller), and something bushy that fills the gaps (the filler)

- The only way is up. Living walls have become genuinely practical in recent years too. It is low maintenance and looks great year-round! Jasmine, honeysuckle, clematis, and roses are the classic climbers, all reliable, all fragrant. A trellis or two is usually all you need to get them started.

- Make it sensory. Scents, sounds and textures make a big difference! Plants like lavender, rosemary, thyme, and jasmine all work well in containers and kick in properly on a warm evening, no matter the size. Grasses and bamboo add sound, adding calmness to your garden. Lamb's ear and moss are worth including just for the texture.

- Grow your own. Kitchen gardens used to feel like they needed space, but they don't! Tomatoes, salad leaves, dwarf beans, cucumbers, radishes, and most herbs are perfectly happy in pots on a sunny balcony, and there's something genuinely satisfying about cooking with things you've grown yourself.

- Somewhere to sit. A lot of small gardens end up as display-only spaces that nobody actually uses! A single chair or a small bistro set makes an outdoor space feel like a room rather than a feature. If storage is tight, folding or stackable furniture is well worth considering.