Complete Gardening
Having a small garden doesn’t mean you have to compromise on beauty and diversity. Short perennials can provide a lush, colorful landscape all year round.
These compact plants offer spectacular blooms, captivating textures, and intriguing scents, making them perfect for spaces with limited room.
Explore these 20 short perennials that are ready to transform your small garden with their big impact.
1. Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata)
A blanket of color in early spring, creeping phlox creates a vibrant carpet in hues of pink, purple, and white. This ground-hugging perennial is perfect for borders or rocky areas where it can cascade beautifully. Imagine a sea of blossoms that not only delights the eyes but also attracts pollinators eager to visit your garden. Its evergreen foliage ensures it remains a feature even when not in bloom. Perfect for those who appreciate a plant that offers both beauty and resilience, creeping phlox is a joy in compact spaces.
2. Viola (Viola spp.)
Violas bring a touch of cheerfulness with their petite, colorful blooms. These hardy little flowers are ideal for adding a splash of color to garden edges or decorative pots. Known for their striking patterns and variety, violas can brighten any space with little effort. They’re not just pretty; their resilience to cold weather makes them a favorite for gardeners wishing to extend the colorful season. Easy to care for, violas invite a playful charm and a classic elegance to any small garden setting.
3. Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis)
Lily of the Valley enchants with its delicate, fragrant bells that dangle like tiny jewels. Often found in shaded areas, this plant is a classic choice for those who love timeless elegance. The sweet scent of its flowers is unmistakable, offering a sensory experience that delights the senses. Its lush green foliage provides a beautiful backdrop, making it a versatile plant for various garden designs. With historical roots in folklore and tradition, it’s a perennial that continues to captivate and charm.
4. Blue Star Creeper (Isotoma fluviatilis)
Imagine a carpet of tiny blue stars spread across your garden floor. Blue star creeper offers just that, with its delicate flowers creating a celestial effect. This low-growing plant is ideal for filling gaps between stepping stones or creating a seamless green carpet. It’s not just about aesthetics; its tough nature makes it perfect for high traffic areas, maintaining beauty with minimal care. For gardeners seeking a ground cover that’s both practical and enchanting, blue star creeper delivers in spades.
5. Rock Cress (Aubrieta deltoidea)
Rock cress is a vibrant addition to any garden, known for its striking purple or pink blooms. This plant cascades over rocks and walls, creating a waterfall of color that attracts the eye. Hardy and adaptable, rock cress thrives in various conditions, making it a favorite for those who love effortless beauty. Its early spring flowers are a delight, offering a splash of vibrancy after a long winter. Perfect for rock gardens or slopes, rock cress is both a resilient and stunning choice.
6. Snow-in-Summer (Cerastium tomentosum)
Snow-in-Summer steals the spotlight with its silvery foliage and clusters of small, white flowers. This perennial creates a cool contrast in the garden, reminiscent of a fresh, snowy landscape under the summer sun. Ideal for sunny spots, it spreads quickly to form a thick mat, making it perfect for ground cover or edging. Its ability to thrive in poor soil conditions adds to its appeal, offering beauty without demanding care. For those seeking a textured, bright addition, Snow-in-Summer is a brilliant choice.
7. Dwarf Daylilies (Hemerocallis ‘Stella de Oro’)
Dwarf daylilies, especially the ‘Stella de Oro’ variety, bring sunshine to gardens with their golden blooms. These compact plants are a quintessential choice for those who enjoy long-lasting flowers with minimal fuss. Perfect for borders and small spaces, their tidy form and continuous blooms make them a gardener’s favorite. The vibrant yellow flowers not only brighten the landscape but also attract beneficial insects. With a history of hybridization for improved traits, dwarf daylilies continue to be a must-have in any small garden.
8. Moss Rose (Portulaca grandiflora)
The vibrant blooms of moss rose bring a tropical flair to the garden, with flowers that resemble tiny poppies. This sun-loving plant is ideal for those hot, dry spots where little else thrives. Its succulent-like leaves offer drought resistance, making it a low-maintenance choice for busy gardeners. Perfect for containers or rockeries, moss rose adds a burst of color with little care. With a palette that ranges from bold oranges to soft pastels, it’s a versatile plant that brings joy with every bloom.
9. Pinks (Dianthus spp.)
Dianthus, affectionately known as ‘pinks,’ offer a delightful fragrance and charming fringed flowers. These blooms are perfect for adding a touch of romance and tradition to any garden. Their spicy scent and classic form make them an excellent choice for borders or rock gardens. With a history rooted in cottage gardens, dianthus continues to enchant with its varied colors and hardy nature. Whether in shades of pink, red, or white, these flowers bring a nostalgic beauty that pairs well with modern and traditional designs alike.
10. Miniature Iris (Iris reticulata)
The miniature iris, known for its striking early spring blooms, offers a bold splash of color with minimal space. These compact plants are ideal for those who crave the elegance of irises without compromising on room. Their vibrant hues of purple and blue are a welcome sight after the winter months, attracting pollinators and admirers alike. Easy to grow and resilient, miniature irises are perfect for rock gardens or containers. Their delicate beauty and robust nature make them a delightful addition to any small space.
11. Sea Thrift (Armeria maritima)
Sea thrift, with its grassy tufts and pink globe-like blooms, brings a coastal charm to gardens everywhere. This resilient plant thrives in poor soil and salty conditions, making it a favorite for those near the coast. Its cheerful flowers stand tall above the foliage, creating a playful yet robust display. Perfect for rock gardens or borders, sea thrift’s airy nature adds movement and texture. Known for its durability and beauty, it’s a plant that captures the essence of seaside gardens with grace.
12. Ajuga (Ajuga reptans)
Ajuga, often called bugleweed, is a versatile ground cover known for its striking spikes of blue or purple flowers. This low-growing plant is perfect for adding color and texture to shaded areas where other plants struggle. Its vibrant foliage adds interest even when it’s not in bloom, ranging from deep green to dramatic purples. Ajuga spreads quickly, creating a lush carpet that suppresses weeds. Ideal for those who enjoy a vibrant, easy-care plant that thrives in less-than-ideal conditions.
13. Alpine Aster (Aster alpinus)
With a delicate appearance, alpine asters bring a splash of color and charm to rock gardens. These petite daisies offer a touch of wild beauty with their purple or lavender blooms. Ideal for those seeking a low-maintenance plant, alpine asters thrive in various conditions and continue to bloom even in less fertile soil. Their cheerful faces are a delight in the garden, and their resilience makes them a favorite for gardeners who love effortless color. A true testament to nature’s enduring beauty.
14. Heuchera (Heuchera spp.)
Heuchera, often celebrated for its stunning foliage, adds a splash of color to any garden. The leaves come in a wide range of hues, from vibrant greens to deep purples, providing a striking backdrop for its delicate bell-shaped flowers. Known for its adaptability, heuchera thrives in shaded areas where it adds depth and texture. It’s a plant that delivers both form and function, offering year-round interest. Perfect for borders or as ground cover, heuchera brings a sophisticated elegance to small gardens.
15. Sedum (Sedum spp. – low-growing types)
Sedums, particularly low-growing types, bring a unique texture and toughness to gardens. These succulents are perfect for drought-prone areas where water conservation is crucial. With their ability to store water and thrive in poor soils, sedums offer vibrant colors with minimal care. Their flowers, often in shades of pink, red, or yellow, add a splash of color that complements their lush, green leaves. Ideal for rockeries or as ground cover, sedums are both practical and beautiful, providing a resilient option for any small garden.
16. Candytuft (Iberis sempervirens)
Candytuft brings a pristine, snow-white bloom to the garden, creating a striking contrast with its dark green, evergreen foliage. Perfect for edging or rock gardens, this plant adds a clean, crisp look that is both timeless and elegant. Known for its ability to thrive in sunny spots, candytuft is a favorite for those who appreciate a low-maintenance plant with high visual impact. Its continuous blooms in spring make it an essential choice for gardeners looking to brighten their space with minimal effort.
17. Miniature Coreopsis (Coreopsis auriculata ‘Nana’)
Miniature coreopsis, with its sunny, daisy-like flowers, brings warmth and cheer to any garden. This compact plant is perfect for borders or containers, offering a splash of color that lasts throughout the growing season. Coreopsis ‘Nana’ is known for its hardiness and ability to thrive in various soil types, making it a versatile choice for gardeners. Its bright yellow blooms attract pollinators, adding life and movement to the garden. With a compact form and vibrant color, it’s a delightful choice for small spaces.
18. Speedwell (Veronica ‘Georgia Blue’)
Speedwell ‘Georgia Blue’ enchants with its small, vibrant blue flowers and lush green foliage. This hardy plant is perfect for those seeking a splash of color that persists even in cooler months. Its low-growing habit makes it ideal for ground cover or rock gardens, where it can spread and thrive. Known for its resilience and beauty, speedwell attracts pollinators, enhancing the garden’s ecosystem. Easy to care for and versatile, it’s a plant that brings a touch of elegance and color to small gardens.
19. Thyme (Thymus serpyllum)
Thyme, particularly the creeping variety, is a versatile herb that offers both beauty and utility in the garden. This aromatic plant is perfect for filling gaps or creating a fragrant carpet that delights the senses. Known for its tiny purple flowers, thyme adds color while also being a culinary favorite. Its ability to thrive in poor, rocky soils makes it a practical choice for gardeners looking for low-maintenance options. Whether used as ground cover or in herb gardens, thyme is a delightful addition.
20. Primrose (Primula vulgaris)
Primroses bring the first hint of spring with their bright, cheerful blooms. Available in a rainbow of colors, they are perfect for adding an early splash of vibrancy to shaded areas. Known for their ability to thrive in cooler conditions, primroses are a gardener’s delight in temperate climates. Their charming flowers and lush green leaves create a whimsical effect, making them ideal for borders or containers. For those who love a touch of classic beauty and early color, primroses are a perfect choice.