Compact Plants That Maximise a Small Garden

Small gardens don’t have to mean sacrificing your creativity! With clever plant choices, even the tiniest outdoor spaces can burst with vibrant colours and textures. The secret lies in choosing plant varieties that make a significant impact without taking up too much floor space. Whether you’re working with a small balcony or limited green space on your patio, these small garden plant ideas will help you make the most of your landscape. 

Dwarf Varieties With Major Impact 

Sometimes the best solution is just to choose plants that are smaller than others. Dwarf varieties are often an excellent choice for gardeners who want a classic garden design without the large shrubbery. Here are a few of the best compact plants for small gardens to get you started: 

• Bloodgood Japanese Maple—This dwarf tree doesn’t get too tall but will still make an impact in your space. Its deep red foliage is gorgeous all year long.
• Dwarf Burning Bush—Just a couple of metres tall, this compact shrub offers stunning autumnal colours. Like the Japanese maple, the red hues create a focal point without crowding out other plants.
• Miniature Hostas—Some varieties don’t grow beyond a few centimetres tall, but they still add that lush, textural appeal that makes hostas so popular. Use them in containers or as ground cover.
• Dwarf Lavender—Add some lavender blooms to your garden to keep your space smelling fresh. Lavender also requires minimal water, making it an ideal low-maintenance plant for small gardens. 

Use Wall Space With Vertical Growing Solutions

If you’ve run out of floor space but still want to add to your garden, consider vertical gardening techniques. Choose climber plants that grow up walls and free up floor space for seating and other features. Some of our favourite climbing plants for tiny gardens include: 

• Climbing roses
• Clematis
• Climbing hydrangea
• Sweet peas 

Utilise Containers to Add Variety 

As you plan out your small garden space, make room for plants in containers. Vegetable plants, bright-coloured flowers, and ornamental grasses can all pack a punch within stylish containers with good drainage. Nearly any kind of plant works well in containers, but here are some of our recommendations: 

• Boxwood Spirals—Boxwood adds visual interest to any garden without requiring any permanent planting space. You can move your chic tree around as needed.
• Dwarf Conifers—These tiny trees provide structure to your space all year-round. Conifers grow slowly, so you won’t have to worry about your tree outgrowing the garden.
• Cherry Tomatoes—Add a delicious treat to your garden with an edible plant or two! Cherry tomatoes work perfectly in small containers. 

Bring Your Garden Ideas to Life 

Regardless of space constraints, you still have plenty of room for creative freedom in a small garden. If you don’t know how to get started, feel free to reach out to North Hill Gardens. Our team helps clients throughout Scotland design their ideal garden, no matter the floor area. We proudly serve Edinburgh and Glasgow with exceptional garden design, landscaping, and more.