If you have a small garden, balcony or courtyard, you might think compact plants are the best way to make the most of it. But oversized plants could actually make your outdoor space feel bigger.
Experts at British Garden Centres say that miniature pots and dwarf shrubs can leave a compact garden looking flat and less interesting – while larger plants add height, texture and impact.
It’s tempting to fill small borders with little plants or squeeze as many pots as possible onto a balcony. But planting only small flowers and shrubs can make your space feel even smaller. Instead, choosing a few larger plants could help your garden feel more layered and make better use of the space you have. Bold, tall plants and expansive greenery draw the eye upwards and outwards, creating the illusion of a larger garden.
To try this small-space gardening trick, take a look at the experts’ top eight plant picks:
- Amelanchier lamarckii
- Fatsia japonica
- Tetrapanax
- Clematis montana
- Container fig trees
- Olive trees
- Italian cypress
- Bay trees
Continue reading to discover exactly how these plants can elevate your small plot.
Amelanchier lamarckii
With delicate white spring flowers and a tall, airy shape, Amelanchier lamarckii can add height and interest to a small garden without making it feel crowded. British Garden Centres says this ornamental tree grows well in a large patio container, with fresh summer leaves and fiery autumn colour. Its open canopy can also provides natural overhead screening for privacy.
Fatsia japonica
Also known as Japanese aralia, Fatsia japonica is an evergreen shrub with large, glossy leaves that bring a tropical feel to a small garden. Its broad foliage creates a striking, jungle-like canopy that softens hard boundaries and turns a compact outdoor space into a statement feature.
Tetrapanax
Commonly known as the rice paper plant, the experts share that this 'bold plant delivers massive architectural leaves and a distinct sculptural quality, that instantly transforms a simple pot into an exotic centrepiece'.
Clematis montana
For keen gardeners who can't go without a bit of colour in their outdoor spaces, clematis montana's pink flowers are likely to be appealing. And, its fast-growing nature will also help to add interest and a feeling of space to a small outdoor plot, as it'll quickly climb up any outdoor walls or dull fences.
Container fig trees
A potted fig tree is a fantastic option for a small garden in more ways than one. Not only will it provide fruit, but placing this plant in a pot will also leave your space resplendent with blooms, too.
'Restricting a fig's root run inside a sturdy pot actually forces it to produce more fruit rather than excess wood, allowing it to form a wonderfully gnarled, Mediterranean-style canopy over a seating area or up against a whitewashed wall for impact,' the experts at British Garden Centres explain.
Olive trees
Potted trees can add height and visual interest to a compact outdoor space. British Garden Centres says mature olive trees bring a 'timeless Mediterranean elegance' with their twisted trunks and narrow, silvery leaves, without casting heavy shade. They’re also drought-tolerant, which can be useful during hot, dry spells.
Italian cypress and bay trees
Italian cypress and bay trees can add height and structure to a small garden. Try planting them in tight corners or along borders for a dramatic effect, the experts suggest. 'Columnar conifers like the Italian cypress deliver strict, dramatic vertical punctuation for tight corners, while lollipop-trained standard bay trees introduce formal structure and classic patio elegance,' they say.
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