7 Small Flower Garden Ideas to Bring Big Color to a Compact Area

small garden plan designs
Photo:

BHG / Joules Garcia

Add big color to your compact landscape with our collection of small flower garden ideas, including sloping landscapes, shady spots and a plan perfect for new gardeners.

01 of 07

Lush Woodland Small Garden

Lush Woodland Garden Plan

Fill a little 5-by-6-foot corner of your yard with color from this cheery small flower garden idea. It features ferns that look good from spring to fall and a spring show from bleeding heart and foamflower.

02 of 07

Brilliant Shade Small Garden

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Why not add a splash of color to a 6-by-7-foot shady spot in your yard? This small flower garden idea is perfect for it. The show starts in spring with bleeding heart and continues into summer with bold red astilbe. A perennial geranium blooms throughout the summer and adds seasonal red foliage in fall.

03 of 07

Rose Small Garden

Easy Rose Garden Plan

Grow your own roses! You'll love this small (5-by-11-foot) rose garden with six different varieties (including extra-tough 'Knock Out') surrounded by a ring of no-fuss lady's mantle.

04 of 07

Bird and Butterfly Small Garden

Bird and Butterfly Garden Plan

Attract scores of butterflies and hummingbirds to your yard with this simple 6-by-10-foot small flower garden idea. Fragrant butterfly bush and phlox provide sweet scents for you and treats for your winged garden guests.

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Slope Small Garden

Drought Slope Garden Plan

Make a statement on a difficult-to-maintain hill with this practically carefree, drought-tolerant 8-by-9-foot small flower garden idea. Colorful sedums look great with thyme and New Zealand flax and take care of themselves.

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Perennial Small Garden

Corner of Perennials

If colorful blooms are your thing, this small flower garden plan is for you. Seven high-performance perennials will give you plenty of blossoms all summer and into fall. Tuck the 9-by-9-foot garden into a corner or plop it in the middle of the lawn—these plants will put on a show.

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Beginner Small Garden

Privacy Garden

This 14-by-6-foot small flower garden plan features easy-to-grow, reliable plants that require minimal care. There will be something happening in the garden throughout the growing season. In spring, Siberian iris starts the parade. Summer is anchored by coneflower's cheerful flowers. Pink sedum completes the show in the fall.

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