Gardening in the UK can sometimes feel like a constant battle against the elements, but when your garden is also on the small side, that battle can feel even more intense. I’ve spent years wrestling with plants that simply refused to cooperate with my tiny patches of land, learned some hard lessons along the way, and had some pretty great successes too. It’s those successes I’m eager to share with you here.
I’ve lived in flats as a student with just a window box and in terraces with little more than a square metre of garden to play with, so I know the struggle of making a small space feel vibrant and lush. But here’s the good news: with the right plants, your small garden can become a green oasis, filled with color, texture, and even the odd piece of homegrown fruit. Trust me, there’s a way to make even the smallest of gardens feel full of life, and I’m going to walk you through my top plant picks, how to care for them, and how to make them thrive in your little patch of UK soil.
1. Dwarf English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia ‘Hidcote’)
Lavender is one of those plants that immediately conjures up images of sunny, lazy afternoons in a garden. And the great thing is, you don’t need a lot of space to enjoy it. The dwarf variety ‘Hidcote’ is particularly well-suited to small gardens, as it remains compact while still delivering that quintessential lavender fragrance and beautiful, deep purple flowers.
Planting Tips:
Lavender absolutely loves the sun, so make sure to plant it in a spot that gets plenty of light. One of my biggest mistakes in the early days of gardening was sticking a lavender plant in a shady corner, and it was predictably miserable! Lavender also prefers well-drained soil, so if your garden leans towards the heavy clay side (as many UK gardens do), you’ll need to work in some grit or sand to improve drainage. Raised beds or pots are great options for lavender too, as they allow for better control over the soil conditions.
Another tip: don’t overwater your lavender. It’s a Mediterranean plant, so it’s used to dry conditions. Too much water can lead to root rot, and trust me, a lavender with rotting roots is a sad sight. Keep an eye on it, but don’t fuss too much—lavender likes to be left alone to soak up the sun.
Companion Plants:
Lavender works beautifully alongside other drought-tolerant plants like heathers, thyme, and sedums. These plants all thrive in similar conditions, and their varied textures and colors can create a lovely, low-maintenance display. Personally, I love mixing lavender with heathers for year-round interest, as heathers can take over when lavender is past its best in late summer.
2. Hostas (Hosta spp.)
Hostas are my go-to plants for shady spots, and they’ve become one of my favourites for small gardens. Their large, striking leaves instantly add a lush, tropical vibe to any space, and because they come in a variety of sizes, you can always find one that fits. I’ve used hostas in tight corners, in pots, and even as ground cover beneath larger shrubs, and they never disappoint.
Planting Tips:
Hostas love shade and moist, well-drained soil. They’re the kind of plant that seems to thrive on neglect—just stick them in a shady spot and water them when you remember. However, they do need protection from slugs and snails, which love to munch on their tender leaves. I’ve tried all sorts of slug deterrents over the years, from copper tape to beer traps, but I’ve found that a good layer of sharp gravel around the base of the plant usually does the trick.
If you’re planting hostas in pots, which is a great option for small gardens, make sure the pots are big enough to accommodate their roots. I’ve had more than one hosta get root-bound because I was overly optimistic about how much space it needed.
Companion Plants:
Hostas pair wonderfully with ferns and astilbes. The combination of hostas’ bold, broad leaves with the delicate, lacy fronds of ferns creates a beautiful contrast, while astilbes add a pop of color with their feathery plumes. This trio is perfect for shady, damp spots where many other plants might struggle.
3. Japanese Anemones (Anemone x hybrida)
Japanese anemones are one of those plants that just keep giving. I first discovered them when I was trying to brighten up a particularly shady, north-facing garden, and they quickly became one of my favourites. Their tall, elegant stems and soft pink or white flowers appear in late summer and early autumn, just when you think the garden might be winding down.
Planting Tips:
These anemones are happiest in partial shade with moist, well-drained soil, though I’ve found that they’re pretty adaptable once they’re established. The only downside is that they can take a year or two to really get going, so you need to be patient. But trust me, the wait is worth it. Once they’re settled, they’re incredibly low-maintenance and will come back year after year without much intervention.
One bit of advice: Japanese anemones can spread, so if you’re working with a very small garden, keep an eye on them and be prepared to do a bit of thinning out if they start to take over. I’ve had to reign mine in a few times, but it’s a small price to pay for the beautiful late-season blooms they provide.
Companion Plants:
Japanese anemones pair beautifully with hydrangeas and fuchsias, both of which enjoy similar growing conditions. The large, showy blooms of hydrangeas and the bright, dangling flowers of fuchsias provide the perfect counterpoint to the delicate anemone flowers, creating a stunning late-summer display.
4. Compact Hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Little Lime’)
Hydrangeas are often thought of as big, blousy plants that need a lot of space, but there are some compact varieties, like ‘Little Lime’, that are perfect for small gardens. I’ve used them in everything from narrow courtyards to tiny front gardens, and they never fail to make an impact.
Planting Tips:
Hydrangeas prefer a bit of shade, especially in the hot afternoon sun, and they love moist, well-drained soil. If your garden gets a bit of dappled light or only has a few hours of direct sun each day, hydrangeas will be happy there. In fact, too much sun can scorch their leaves and make their blooms fade more quickly, so a little protection from the harshest rays is ideal.
One of the things I love about hydrangeas is their ability to change color depending on the soil pH. Acidic soil will give you blue flowers, while alkaline soil will turn them pink. It’s like a fun little science experiment right in your garden! If you want to play around with the color, you can adjust the pH by adding aluminum sulfate for blue flowers or lime for pink ones.
Companion Plants:
Pair hydrangeas with japanese anemones and heucheras for a sophisticated, multi-layered display. The tall anemone flowers rising above the dense hydrangea blooms create a lovely contrast, while the colorful foliage of heucheras adds year-round interest.
5. Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens)
Boxwood is a staple in formal garden design, but it’s also incredibly useful in small spaces. Its compact, evergreen form adds structure and definition to a garden, and it’s perfect for creating neat borders or low hedges. I’ve used it in modern and traditional designs alike, and it always lends a sense of order and elegance.
Planting Tips:
Boxwood is incredibly versatile and can grow in full sun or partial shade. It prefers well-drained soil, but it’s tolerant of a range of conditions, which makes it a great choice for small gardens. Whether you’re planting it directly in the ground or using it in containers, boxwood requires little more than regular trimming to keep it looking tidy.
One thing to watch out for is box blight, a fungal disease that can cause the leaves to turn brown and fall off. To help prevent this, make sure your plants are well-spaced to allow for good air circulation, and avoid overhead watering, which can spread the fungus.
Companion Plants:
Boxwood pairs beautifully with lavender and alliums. The formal, structured shape of boxwood contrasts wonderfully with the looser, more informal blooms of lavender and alliums, creating a balance between order and whimsy in your garden. I particularly love using this combination along paths or around seating areas to create a sense of calm and tranquility.
6. Dwarf Apple Trees (Malus domestica)
You might think that fruit trees are only for larger gardens or orchards, but dwarf apple trees are perfectly suited to small UK gardens. I’ve had a dwarf apple tree in a corner of my tiny garden for years, and it’s always a joy to watch it bloom in spring and produce crisp, delicious apples in autumn. Plus, there’s something really satisfying about growing your own fruit, even if it’s just a few apples each year.
Planting Tips:
Dwarf apple trees need full sun to thrive, so plant them in the brightest spot in your garden. They also prefer well-drained soil, and if you’re growing them in pots (which is a great option for small gardens), make sure the container is large enough to accommodate their roots. Regular watering is essential, especially in the first few years, as is an annual feed with a balanced fertilizer.
One thing to note: most apple trees need a pollination partner, so make sure you either have two different varieties that flower at the same time or plant a self-fertile variety if space is really limited. If you’ve got very limited space, consider a columnar apple tree—these grow vertically and take up minimal horizontal space.
Companion Plants:
Pair your dwarf apple tree with nasturtiums, marigolds, and borage. These companion plants help to attract pollinators, repel pests, and improve the health of your apple tree. Plus, they add a splash of color around the base of the tree, creating a lovely, cottage-garden effect.
7. Clematis (Clematis ‘Nelly Moser’)
Clematis is one of those plants that makes the most of vertical space, which is a godsend in a small garden. I once had a client who had a tiny, uninspiring garden surrounded by tall fences. We planted a few clematis plants along the fence line, and within a couple of seasons, they had a wall of flowers that made the space feel completely transformed.
‘Nelly Moser’ is a particularly stunning variety, with large, pale pink flowers that have a striking purple stripe down the center of each petal. It’s a vigorous grower but stays relatively compact, making it perfect for smaller spaces.
Planting Tips:
Clematis likes to have its roots cool and its flowers in the sun, so plant it where the base of the plant will be shaded by other plants or a layer of mulch, while the top can climb towards the light. Clematis thrives in well-drained soil and benefits from a regular feed in the growing season to encourage abundant flowering.
If you’re tight on ground space, clematis can also be grown in pots, provided you give it something to climb on, like a trellis or an obelisk. This way, you can add height and interest to your garden without using up valuable floor space.
Companion Plants:
Pair clematis with roses or honeysuckle for a romantic, cottage garden feel. These climbers all work beautifully together to cover vertical surfaces, and their combination of colors and fragrances will make your garden feel like a lush, floral retreat, even if it’s just a few square metres.
8. Heucheras (Heuchera spp.)
Heucheras are a fantastic choice for adding color and texture to a small garden. Their vibrant foliage comes in a wide range of shades, from lime green to deep burgundy, and their compact size makes them perfect for filling in gaps or creating colorful borders. I’ve used heucheras in countless garden designs to add a pop of color that lasts year-round, without taking up too much space.
Planting Tips:
Heucheras thrive in partial shade and well-drained soil. They’re pretty low-maintenance once established, but they do appreciate regular watering, especially in dry spells. I’ve found that they do best when planted in groups, where their varied leaf colors can create a real impact.
If you’re planting heucheras in pots, make sure the containers have good drainage and don’t let the soil dry out completely. Heucheras are also relatively pest-free, although vine weevils can sometimes be a problem. Keep an eye out for signs of damage and treat promptly if needed.
Companion Plants:
Heucheras pair beautifully with hostas and ferns. The combination of heucheras’ colorful, ruffled leaves with the bold, smooth leaves of hostas and the delicate fronds of ferns creates a stunning, textural display that works especially well in shady, small gardens.
9. Fuchsias (Fuchsia magellanica)
Fuchsias are another plant that can add a splash of color to a small garden, especially if you’ve got more shade than sun. Their bright, dangling flowers look like tiny ballerinas, and they bloom profusely throughout the summer and into autumn. I’ve used fuchsias in borders, pots, and even hanging baskets, and they never fail to bring a smile to my face.
Planting Tips:
Fuchsias prefer a cool, shaded spot and need moist, well-drained soil to thrive. They do well in pots, hanging baskets, or borders, so they’re incredibly versatile for small spaces. Just be sure to keep them watered—fuchsias don’t like to dry out, especially during the hot summer months.
If you want to encourage more blooms, deadhead the spent flowers regularly. Fuchsias are also relatively hardy, but in colder areas of the UK, it’s worth protecting them with a layer of mulch in winter to help them survive any harsh frosts.
Companion Plants:
Pair fuchsias with begonias and coleus. These shade-loving plants create a vibrant, colorful display that will brighten up even the darkest corners of your garden. The combination of fuchsias’ dangling flowers, begonias’ bold blooms, and coleus’ striking foliage creates a lively, tropical feel.
Tips from My Trials and Errors
- Small Space Tip #1: Use vertical space whenever possible. I’ve found that adding a few trellises, shelves, or hanging baskets can drastically increase the amount of planting space in a small garden. It’s amazing how much you can fit in when you start thinking vertically!
- Small Space Tip #2: Pots are your best friend. Don’t underestimate the power of a well-placed pot or two (or ten). Pots allow you to move plants around easily, experiment with different combinations, and provide excellent drainage. Just be mindful of the size of your pots—larger pots can dry out less quickly than small ones, so they’re a bit less fussy to care for.
- Random Gardening Story: I once spent an entire season trying to coax a wisteria to grow up a trellis in a small courtyard. I’d imagined it covering the whole back wall of the house with cascading purple flowers, but it stubbornly refused to grow more than a few inches. It wasn’t until the following year, when I moved it to a sunnier spot, that it finally took off. Moral of the story: plants have their own preferences, and sometimes, you just have to listen to them (even when they’re being difficult!).
- Water Wisely: In a small garden, especially if you’ve got a lot of pots, it’s easy to overwater or underwater plants. I’ve learned to use a moisture meter to check the soil before reaching for the watering can—it’s saved many a plant from drowning (or dehydration).
- Mulching Magic: Mulching can be a game-changer in a small garden. Not only does it help retain moisture and suppress weeds, but it also gives your garden a tidy, finished look. I mulch all my beds with compost or bark chips in spring, and it makes such a difference to the overall health of the plants.
Final Thoughts
Creating a beautiful, thriving garden in a small space is not only possible, but it can also be incredibly rewarding. By choosing the right plants for your space, paying attention to their specific needs, and experimenting with companion planting, you can transform even the tiniest patch of land into a lush, vibrant oasis.
Remember, gardening is as much about trial and error as it is about careful planning. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different plants and combinations, and don’t get discouraged if things don’t work out perfectly the first time around. With patience and a bit of creativity, your small garden can become a sanctuary that brings you joy year-round. If you need further inspiration, check out this article from Gardeners World to give you tips and tricks for your small space: 30 Small Garden Design Ideas | BBC Gardeners World Magazine
Now grab your trowel, pick out a few of these plants, and get started. Your small garden might just surprise you with how much life it can hold!
