Small-Size Plant Varieties For Small-Scale Gardens [Slideshow]
Garden spaces are getting smaller, whether for miniature gardens, scaled down landscapes or balconies and patios. Dwarf-sized and miniature plants, or those that keep a tight compact habit, make the most sense for these spaces. And there are plenty to choose from in both the ornamental and edibles categories. Here is a look at new dwarf and miniature plant varieties from breeders, as well as some past favorites.
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Acorus 'Pusillus Minimus' (Emerald Coast Growers)
Acorus gramineus ‘Pusillus Minimus Aureus,’ a miniature variegated sweet flag, reaches a height of just 4 inches. This tiny grass-like plant has eye-catching, bright gold leaf blades. Loves moist soil and tolerates full sun to shade. Hardy to Zone 4.
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Alocasia 'Low Rider' (AgriStarts)
An ultra-dwarf form of Alocasia portora, 'Low Rider' works well for mixed combos as a short thriller or as a stand alone specimen. It also has good cold hardiness.
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Brazelberries 'Blueberry Glaze' (Fall Creek Farm & Nursery)
With its small stature and incredibly glossy, dark green leaves, 'Blueberry Glaze' is reminiscent of a boxwood and can easily be sheared as such. The white with pink spring flowers contrast with the deep foliage color. Small, dark (almost black) berries appear mid-summer.
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Buxus 'Wee Willie' (Monrovia)
A versatile dwarf with neat and dense foliage,'Wee Willie' retains its emerald green color year round, even through the coldest winters. It makes an excellent topiary specimen or a maintenance free low hedge for lining walkways.
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Calibrachoa Calipetite Series (Sakata)
Calipetite calibrachoas are naturally compact and do not require any growth regulators or supplemental lighting. Calipetite grows into a dense ball of color, not like typical leggy calibrachoa. This series is ideal for shipping and has long lasting retail shelf appeal.
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Calla Pixie Pots (Golden State Bulb)
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Clematis 'Bijou' (Donahue's Greenhouse)
'Bijou' has small ruffled petals with points in pale violet/mauve with a slight pinkish bar. Pink-tipped anthers open to a lovely rosette shape. Flowers are 3- to 4-inches and bloom June to early August.
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Cleome 'Pequeña Rosalita' (Pleasant View Gardens)
'Pequeña Rosalita' is about 1/3 shorter than the rest of the Senorita cleome series from Proven Winners. This plant stands at 18- to 36-inches, which is much more versatile than the others. Its great branching habit and compact nature show off delicate pink blooms.
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Cyclamen Verano Series (Sakata)
From Schoneveld Breeding, Verano is a mini cyclamen series with a total crop time of 25 to 27 weeks and is recommended for use in packs and 2.5- to 4-inch containers. It is more tolerant of higher temperatures and is known for uniform flowering. -
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Miniature Garden In Box
Photo courtesy of Gulley Greenhouses.
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Dahlia 'Dalina Midi Malaysia' (Four Star Greenhouse)
'Dalina Midi Malaysia' is a Proven Selections variety with a compact habit. It stays low (about 10- to 12-inches), providing excellent borders in the landscape and tight fillers in a combination.
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Dianthus 'Little Maiden' (Jelitto)
Fragrant, pure white flowers on short stems adorn this compact perennial, which blooms in the summer. 'Little Maiden' is low growing with grass-like leaves that have a bluish hue. It is ideal for the rock gardens or containers and prefers full sun.
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Miniature Garden With Bench
Photo courtesy of Gulley Greenhouses.
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Freesia 'Tweety' (Flamingo Holland)
'Tweety' is a genetic short freesia that works well for patios, borders and indoor blooming.
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Hypoestes 'Splash Select Pink' (PanAmerican Seed)
'Splash Select Pink' is a low maintenance hypoestes that is great for use indoors. The pinks, whites and greens in this variety will add plenty of color to mini-landscapes. Plant it in partial sun.
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Juncus 'Twister' (PanAmerican Seed)
'Twister' is easy to grow and maintain in small containers for miniature gardens. It grows well in partial sun and thrives in wet conditions and can be used in bogs and pond gardening. Small, curly green leaves offer interesting and fun foliage.
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Monarda 'Pardon My Pink' (Walters Garden)
'Pardon My Pink' is a petite selection from Proven Winners for borders and containers. Reaching just a foot tall at maturity, this compact selection forms a bushy, well-branched clump of deep green, glossy foliage.
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Oxalis Charmed Series (Pleasant View Gardens)
Oxalis Charmed Series (Oxalis triangularis) has large striking leaves with deep color. It has a manageable habit (10- to 14-inches) with the occasional contrasting white flowers. The 'Charmed Wine' variety is slightly less vigorous making it perfect for small containers.
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Petunia 'Espresso Grande Peach' (Floranova)
'Espresso Grande Peach' is a dwarf grandiflora petunia with a compact and non-stretching plant habit that is easier to hold in greenhouse production. It will develop a vigorous, low-growing mound shape that is covered with flowers throughout the season.
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Pixie Grapes (Plug Connection)
Pixie grapes are great for patio containers with grapes the first year, and continual fruiting. They are easy to maintain both indoors and out. They have a sweet, tart flavor and are hardy to Zone 3 in the ground, protect if in a container.
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Miniature Garden With Picket Fence
Photo courtesy of Fairy Gardening Inc. (Jeff & Emily Sorenson).
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Sagina 'Aurea Scotch Moss' (Skagit Gardens)
This evergreen perennial has yellow moss-like foliage with small white flowers that appear in the spring. It is perfect for rock gardens and along walkways.
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Syringa 'Tiny Dancer' (Plants Nouveau)
This lilac has a compact form and good cold and heat tolerance. Even in Zone 8, violet-purple buds open into lavender flowers. Large panicles measure 4 to 5 inches, and the large florets make for full clusters.
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Poinsettia 'Viking Cinnamon' (Red Fox)
'Viking Cinnamon' poinsettia has short, broad, yellow-pink bracts that are held above dark-green leaves. It is a medium grower that works well for a variety of container sizes.
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Red Fox Poinsettia Dish Garden
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Miniature Garden With Cart
Photo courtesy of Gulley Greenhouses.
View all
Acorus 'Pusillus Minimus' (Emerald Coast Growers)
Alocasia 'Low Rider' (AgriStarts)
Brazelberries 'Blueberry Glaze' (Fall Creek Farm & Nursery)
Buxus 'Wee Willie' (Monrovia)
Calibrachoa Calipetite Series (Sakata)
Calla Pixie Pots (Golden State Bulb)
Clematis 'Bijou' (Donahue's Greenhouse)
Cleome 'Pequeña Rosalita' (Pleasant View Gardens)
Cyclamen Verano Series (Sakata)
Miniature Garden In Box
Dahlia 'Dalina Midi Malaysia' (Four Star Greenhouse)
Dianthus 'Little Maiden' (Jelitto)
Miniature Garden With Bench
Freesia 'Tweety' (Flamingo Holland)
Hypoestes 'Splash Select Pink' (PanAmerican Seed)
Juncus 'Twister' (PanAmerican Seed)
Monarda 'Pardon My Pink' (Walters Garden)
Oxalis Charmed Series (Pleasant View Gardens)
Petunia 'Espresso Grande Peach' (Floranova)
Pixie Grapes (Plug Connection)
Miniature Garden With Picket Fence
Sagina 'Aurea Scotch Moss' (Skagit Gardens)
Syringa 'Tiny Dancer' (Plants Nouveau)
Poinsettia 'Viking Cinnamon' (Red Fox)
Red Fox Poinsettia Dish Garden
Miniature Garden With Cart
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Janeen Wright is former Editor for Greenhouse Grower. . See all author stories here.