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Although big and showy flowers like hydrangeas and sunflowers are popular, small flowers can add plenty of charm and color to your garden. They can be planted creatively with larger flowers and foliage, and can also be grown in containers and tight spaces, making them perfect for urban plots or balconies. In this article, we will explore the top varieties of small flowers that you can grow in your garden.
Keep in mind that some flowers, although small in size, can grow in clusters or large groups on taller, bigger plants.
In This Article
1. Crocus
Crocuses are small, cup-shaped flowers that bloom in early spring in shades of purple, yellow, or white. They are easy to grow and create captivating clusters of color throughout lawns and beneath trees. Crocuses have triangular petals surrounding a bright orange-yellow center. These small flowers grow directly from the ground on short stems and only reach a height of 5-10cm (2-4 inches).
| Botanical name | Crocus |
| Hardiness zones | 3-8 |
| Plant type | Perennial bulb |
| Color varieties | Purple, white, yellow, pink |
| Max-height | 15cm |
| Difficulty in growing | Easy |
| Planting time | Fall |
| Bloom time | Spring |
| Light | Full sun |
| Soil | Well-draining, gritty |
2. Brown-Eyed Susan
Meet brown-eyed susan, the perfect addition to your garden! This adorable flower requires very little maintenance. Its abundant golden daisy-like blooms last all summer into fall, attracting lots of friendly pollinators. Although the stems grow tall, the flowers themselves are quite small. Once established, brown-eyed susan can easily adapt to different climates and soil types. Plus, its later seed heads make a tasty treat for many birds.
| Botanical name | Rudbeckia triloba |
| Hardiness zones | 3-10 |
| Plant type | Biennial |
| Color varieties | Yellow, golden, orange |
| Max-height | 1.5m |
| Difficulty in growing | Moderate |
| Planting time | Spring |
| Bloom time | Summer, fall |
| Light | Full sun |
| Soil | Well-draining, loamy |
3. Lantana
Known for its vibrant clusters of color, lantana proves you don’t need large blooms to make a big statement. Again, it is one of those plants that can grow very tall, but have lots of small blooms in large clusters. The small florets bloom continuously from spring through fall in most zones. Lantana flowers have a lovely, sweet citrus scent that also attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.
| Botanical name | Lantana camara |
| Hardiness zones | 7-12 |
| Plant type | Perennial shrub |
| Color varieties | Yellow, orange, pink, red, purple, white, golden |
| Max-height | 2m |
| Difficulty in growing | Moderate |
| Planting time | Spring |
| Bloom time | Spring, summer, fall |
| Light | Full sun |
| Soil | Well-draining, fertile |
4. Forget-me-not
Each individual flower may be small, but forget-me-not produces an abundance of blooms. The flower only reaches a height of 15-20cm (6-8 inches), making it perfect for borders, containers, and rock gardens. As a hardy wildflower, forget-me-not adapts readily to most conditions including partial shade. The plant spreads gently by self-seeding for natural floral carpets year after year. Beyond their beauty, the edible blossoms attract lots of bees as well.
| Botanical name | Myosotis |
| Hardiness zones | 3-8 |
| Plant type | Perennial, annual |
| Color varieties | Blue, pink, white, purple |
| Max-height | 30cm |
| Difficulty in growing | Moderate |
| Planting time | Spring, fall |
| Bloom time | Spring, summer |
| Light | Partial sun |
| Soil | Well-draining, rich |
5. Sea Thrift
Sea thrift is a small, evergreen perennial plant that is native to the coastal areas of Europe and North America. Each delicate round bloom measures less than 3cm across (1 inch), with varieties bearing pink or white flowers. The plant is commonly found growing on cliffs, dunes, and rocky shores, where it forms dense mats of grass-like foliage. The flowers bloom for weeks throughout spring and summer with hundreds of lovely small flowers.
| Botanical name | Armeria maritima |
| Hardiness zones | 4-9 |
| Plant type | Perennial |
| Color varieties | Pink, white, violet |
| Max-height | 30cm |
| Difficulty in growing | Moderate |
| Planting time | Spring, early fall |
| Bloom time | Spring, summer |
| Light | Full sun |
| Soil | Well-draining, dry, sandy |
6. Lily of the Valley
Lily of the valley is a charming flower that grows in shady gardens. It features graceful white bell-shaped blooms that reach just 15-30cm tall. These small flowers have a subtle fragrance that lasts for weeks. However, it’s important to note that all parts of the plant are highly toxic if ingested. Therefore, it’s advisable to garden with care and avoid areas frequented by unsupervised children and pets. On the plus side, the poisonous nature of the plant means that it thrives without being disturbed by deer and other wildlife.
| Botanical name | Convallaria majalis |
| Hardiness zones | 2-8 |
| Plant type | Perennial |
| Color varieties | White, pink |
| Max-height | 30cm |
| Difficulty in growing | Moderate |
| Planting time | Spring, fall |
| Bloom time | Spring |
| Light | Partial sun |
| Soil | Well-draining, moist |
7. Lilac
Lilac shrubs are know for producing a plethora of sweetly fragnant, purple blossoms during spring. Each flower head is made up of hundreds of tiny, four-petaled florets. Once established, lilacs require minimal care and can thrive for decades. This resiliance and longetivity allows the seasonal floral display to be enjoyed year after year.
| Botanical name | Syringa vulgaris |
| Hardiness zones | 3-9 |
| Plant type | Perennial shrub/tree |
| Color varieties | Lilac, purple, pink, white, blue, magenta |
| Max-height | 7m |
| Difficulty in growing | Easy |
| Planting time | Spring, fall |
| Bloom time | Spring, early summer |
| Light | Full sun |
| Soil | Well-draining, loamy, fertile |
8. Creeping Phlox
This gorgeous plant is a fantastic choice for many reasons. Not only does it produce an abundance of delicate blooms in a variety of vibrant hues, but it also has a creeping habit that makes it perfect for filling in gaps between rocks or cascading over walls. Creeping phlox is easy to care for, and it is a hardy perennial that will come back every year.
| Botanical name | Phlox stolonifera |
| Hardiness zones | 3-9 |
| Plant type | Perennial |
| Color varieties | Lavender, pink, white, purple, blue, red |
| Max-height | 20cm |
| Difficulty in growing | Moderate |
| Planting time | Spring |
| Bloom time | Spring, summer, early fall |
| Light | Partial sun |
| Soil | Well-draining, loamy, rich |
9. Virginia Bluebells
These stunning flowers showcase delicate blue and pink blooms and are easy to grow and maintain. Virginia bluebells are a low-maintenance choice for gardeners, thriving in various soil types and light conditions. This wildflower emerges from winter dormancy in March and produces lots of bell-shaped blossoms for weeks. Each flower measures just under 3cm (1 inch) and attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies, making it a valuable addition to any pollinator garden.
| Botanical name | Mertensia virginica |
| Hardiness zones | 3-9 |
| Plant type | Perennial |
| Color varieties | Blue, pink, purple, white |
| Max-height | 60cm |
| Difficulty in growing | Moderate |
| Planting time | Spring, fall |
| Bloom time | Spring |
| Light | Partial sun |
| Soil | Well-draining, moist, rich |
10. Baby’s Breath
This delicate flower adds a touch of elegance and charm to any garden or floral arrangement. Its tall, wiry stems are covered in clusters of small flowers that resemble clouds. Baby’s breath blooms from early summer well into fall, showing excellent heat and drought tolerance. If you decide to plant it in your garden, baby’s breath will self-sow for years, bringing joy to your yard season after season.
| Botanical name | Gypsophila paniculata |
| Hardiness zones | 3-9 |
| Plant type | Perennial, annual |
| Color varieties | White, pink |
| Max-height | 1m |
| Difficulty in growing | Easy |
| Planting time | Spring, fall |
| Bloom time | Summer |
| Light | Full sun |
| Soil | Well-draining, sandy |
Where to Buy Baby’s Breath
11. Nemesia
Nemesia also known as lionface, reaches around 30-35cm tall (14 inches), making it well-suited for containers, window boxes, and rock gardens with limited space. From spring until frost, nemesia becomes covered in blooms. Each flower is less than 3cm wide and comes in many different colors like purple, yellow, orange, white, and more! Some feature bicolor petals too. The nectar-rich blossoms attract plenty of pollinators, especially hummingbirds and butterflies.
| Botanical name | Nemesia |
| Hardiness zones | 2-10 |
| Plant type | Short-lived perennial |
| Color varieties | Yellow, orange, pink, red, blue, purple, white, bicolor |
| Max-height | 40cm |
| Difficulty in growing | Moderate |
| Planting time | Spring |
| Bloom time | Spring, summer, fall |
| Light | Full sun |
| Soil | Well-draining, rich |
12. Shasta Daisy
With its classic white petals and bright yellow centers, the shasta daisy remains a popular plant suiting small spaces. The blossoms bloom continuously in great quantities all summer. Each miniature daisy flower features a golden eye encircled by 10-20 white rays with notched tips. The blooms stand out brightly against deep green foliage.
| Botanical name | Leucanthemum × superbum |
| Hardiness zones | 4-9 |
| Plant type | Perennial |
| Color varieties | White |
| Max-height | 1.2m |
| Difficulty in growing | Moderate |
| Planting time | Spring, summer |
| Bloom time | Spring, summer, fall |
| Light | Full sun |
| Soil | Well-draining, fertile |
Where to Buy Shasta Daisy
13. Pansy
These cool weather-loving annuals produce abundant flowers in a diverse range of solid and bicolor options. The small flowers measure around 5cm wide and their short height makes them perfect for growing in containers and flower beds. Pansies are known for their hardiness and ability to thrive in cooler temperatures, making them a great choice for those who want to add beauty to their garden in early spring or late fall.
| Botanical name | Viola tricolor var. hortensis |
| Hardiness zones | 3-8 |
| Plant type | Short-lived perennial, annual |
| Color varieties | Yellow, purple, orange, red, white, blue, pink, gold, bicolor |
| Max-height | 20cm |
| Difficulty in growing | Moderate |
| Planting time | Spring, early fall |
| Bloom time | Spring, summer, fall |
| Light | Full sun |
| Soil | Well-draining, rich, moist |
14. Fairy Foxglove
Fairy foxglove is an excellent choice for rock gardens, containers, and other confined areas because of its compact blooms. Hundreds of tiny flowers bloom successively over several weeks in late spring, attracting many pollinators. It is effortless to maintain and can grow in any environment, even in the cracks between walls.
| Botanical name | Erinus alpinus |
| Hardiness zones | 3-9 |
| Plant type | Perennial |
| Color varieties | Pink, purple, white |
| Max-height | 15cm |
| Difficulty in growing | Moderate |
| Planting time | Spring, summer, fall |
| Bloom time | Spring, summer |
| Light | Full/partial sun |
| Soil | Well-draining, sandy, loamy |
15. Aster
These perennial flowers are a classic choice as they bloom profusely in late summer through fall when many other plants wither away. The blooms are daisy-like, measuring about 3cm wide (1 inch), and the plants can grow up to a meter tall, depending on the variety. Asters come in a wide range of beautiful shades and are known for attracting pollinators such as bees and butterflies.
| Botanical name | Aster |
| Hardiness zones | 3-8 |
| Plant type | Perennial |
| Color varieties | Pink, purple, white, violet, indigo, red |
| Max-height | 15cm |
| Difficulty in growing | Moderate |
| Planting time | Spring |
| Bloom time | Summer, fall |
| Light | Full sun |
| Soil | Well-draining, fertile |
Where to Buy Aster
16. Rock Cress
Rock cress is a beautiful plant that can add a delicate touch to stone walls and garden beds with its masses of small flowers. Its spreading habit also makes it a great ground cover, which can fill in gaps along pathways or rock gardens. These plants usually only grow up to 10-20cm tall (8 inches) and come in shades such as pink, purple, and white.
| Botanical name | Arabis |
| Hardiness zones | 4-9 |
| Plant type | Perennial |
| Color varieties | White, pink, purple |
| Max-height | 30cm |
| Difficulty in growing | Easy |
| Planting time | Spring, fall |
| Bloom time | Spring, summer |
| Light | Full sun |
| Soil | Well-draining |
17. Coreopsis (tickseed)
With its bright, cheerful colors, coreopsis will attract lots of pollinators to your garden. These small flowers grow on tall thin stems, some varieties are shorter while others can reach a height of more than a meter. Coreopsis are quite easy to grow and will bloom for weeks from spring to fall!
| Botanical name | Coreopsis |
| Hardiness zones | 3-9 |
| Plant type | Perennial, annual |
| Color varieties | Yellow, orange, golden, pink, bicolor |
| Max-height | 1m |
| Difficulty in growing | Moderate |
| Planting time | Spring, summer |
| Bloom time | Summer, fall |
| Light | Full sun |
| Soil | Well-draining, sandy, loamy |
Where to Buy Coreopsis
18. Grape Hyacinth
Grape hyacinths bloom during early spring, displaying small fragrant flowers. The blooms grow on short stems and are packed together in clusters that look like grapes. These plants create a beautiful contrast against green foliage with their vibrant hues of blue, purple, and white, making them perfect for adding a pop of color to any garden bed or container.
| Botanical name | Muscari |
| Hardiness zones | 3-9 |
| Plant type | Perennial bulb |
| Color varieties | Blue, purple, white, violet, pinnk |
| Max-height | 30cm |
| Difficulty in growing | Moderate |
| Planting time | Fall |
| Bloom time | Spring |
| Light | Full sun |
| Soil | Well-draining, moist |
19. Primrose
These exquisite flowers are available in a variety of radiant shades that make them a sight to behold in any outdoor space. Not only are primrose easy to grow, but they also blossom in early spring, adding a pop of color to your garden when other flowers have yet to emerge. This plant produces striking clusters of five-petaled blooms that measure approximately 3-5cm wide. Primrose’s sweet fragrance will lend a delightful aroma to your garden.
| Botanical name | Primula |
| Hardiness zones | 3-8 |
| Plant type | Perennial |
| Color varieties | White, yellow, pink, purple, red, blue, orange, bicolor |
| Max-height | 30cm |
| Difficulty in growing | Moderate |
| Planting time | Spring, fall |
| Bloom time | Spring, summer |
| Light | Partial sun |
| Soil | Well-draining, moist, loamy |
20. Lobelia
Lobelia is a plant that produces beautiful blossoms from summer until frost. These small flowers come in a variety of lovely colors such as sapphire blue, crimson, and some bicolors too. With minimal care, this delightful flower thrives in containers, rock gardens, edging, and small spaces. Moreover, lobelia’s nectar attracts both hummingbirds and butterflies.
| Botanical name | Lobelia |
| Hardiness zones | 2-10 |
| Plant type | Perennial, annual |
| Color varieties | Blue, white, purple, lilac, red, bicolor |
| Max-height | 40cm |
| Difficulty in growing | Moderate |
| Planting time | Spring |
| Bloom time | Summer, fall |
| Light | Partial/full sun |
| Soil | Well-draining, moist, fertile, rich |
21. Snowdrops
Snowdrops are one of the first flowers to emerge in late winter or early spring. They have small white, bell-shaped flowers with green markings on the inner petals. Snowdrops are often planted in woodland gardens, under trees, or in rock gardens and are known for their ability to thrive in cold, snowy conditions.
| Botanical name | Galanthus |
| Hardiness zones | 2-9 |
| Plant type | Perennial bulb |
| Color varieties | White |
| Max-height | 15cm |
| Difficulty in growing | Moderate |
| Planting time | Spring, fall |
| Bloom time | Winter, spring |
| Light | Partial sun |
| Soil | Well-draining, moist, loose |
Looking for tall flowers to pair with your small flowers? Here is a list of 15 Tall Flowers to plant in your garden!
