Empty spaces in a landscape can throw off the whole look and feel of an outdoor space. Most shrubs and perennials need several inches — if not feet — of elbow room to grow properly. That can leave you with lots of little gaps scattered across your garden beds that, without the right approach, will just go to waste.

Though we tend to think bigger is better in the garden, there’s definitely a time and place for itty bitty plants and their small flowers. One of the best uses for more petite specimens is to fill those very gaps!

From annuals to perennials, this article will introduce you to my favorite small flowers for containers, gardens, and beyond.

Types of Small Flowers

Size and appearance aren’t the only qualifications for good plant selection. I strongly recommend paying attention to different life cycles, as one is very likely to fit your garden needs better than the others.

Annuals

Many, many small flowers are most commonly grown as annuals. Annuals live for a single growing season, either because of their biology or because they can’t survive cool temperatures. 

I like using annual plants for small projects because they’re affordable and very easy to replace. You can change up the details of your landscape every year without worrying about waste.

Tender and Herbaceous Perennials

As you go through the list below, you’ll notice lots of low growing perennials labelled either as tender or herbaceous. Tender perennials are perennial — meaning they naturally live for several years — but can only survive in very warm climates. In the vast majority of home gardens, tender perennials will behave as annuals.

Herbaceous perennials, on the other hand, are perennials that die back to the ground each winter. The root systems can survive for several years but all of the above-ground growth must re-sprout from scratch (normally in the spring).

Shrubs

Most true shrubs grow to be several feet tall and wide but you might come across a few in your lifetime that are quite small. Shrubs are either deciduous (lose their leaves annually) or evergreen (retain their leaves year-round) and have woody stems.

Perennial shrubs are a great option for a garden bed that you want to ‘set and forget’ for several years. You won’t need to worry about replanting the same space over and over as you would with annuals or tender perennials.

20 Small Flowering Annuals and Perennials

It’s easy to get tunnel vision for one type of plant, but varying the sizes and shapes within your garden can give it a much more professional touch. While big shrubs and perennials carry a lot of the weight in any given design, small flowers are essential to fill the resulting gaps!

This list is far from exhaustive, but it will give you a good idea of the best small flowers available and how to utilize them in the garden. I also highly encourage you to mix and match the plants below (assuming they have similar requirements).

1) Pansy

Viola × wittrockiana

• Type: Annual or tender perennial
• Average Height: 4-8 in.
• Light Requirements: Full sun

I’m very easily charmed by a well-placed pansy, especially in locations where you wouldn’t necessarily expect one. You can fill surprisingly small gaps in your garden with these colorful violet relatives as long as they have access to adequate sunlight.

Pansies range in color and size, with most measuring only a few inches tall. Because of their size, they tend to have the biggest impact when grown in clusters. Pansy-filled containers are very popular in both early spring and autumn.

2) Sweet Alyssum

Lobularia maritima

• Type: Annual or tender perennial
• Average Height: 3-10 in.
• Light Requirements: Full to partial sun

Sweet alyssum is a tiny plant with even tinier flowers. It’s a go-to filler for container arrangements and smaller annual beds. As the name implies, sweet Alyssum is also quite fragrant.

Varieties of sweet alyssum boast white, pink, or purple flowers (in my experience, white is the most common). The flowers can last all season but tend to be most prolific during the cooler months of spring and fall.

Note that sweet alyssum is classified as invasive in some regions, including the state of California. It is most commonly grown as an annual despite its hardiness rating of Zone 5 to 9.

3) Impatiens

Impatiens walleriani

• Type: Annual or tender perennial
• Average Height: 12 in.
• Light Requirements: Partial to full shade

Impatiens are tropical perennials grown as annuals in most climates. They are incredibly vibrant and can tolerate shade much better than other popular bedding plants. However, a few strains have been bred to thrive in the sun — i.e., the SunPatiens line.

You can grow impatiens in nearly any moist, well-draining soil or potting mix. They like warm weather (don’t plant impatiens too early in the spring) but excess sun exposure will burn or fade the bright flowers.

Impatiens are cold hardy in USDA Zone 10 and 11, so most gardeners won’t be able to maintain them for longer than a single growing season. If you have a particularly green thumb, though, you may be able to bring impatiens indoors for the winter.

4) Primrose

Primula vulgaris

• Type: Annual or tender perennial
• Average Height: 6-12 in.
• Light Requirements: Partial to full shade

A European native, primrose is a common woodland perennial with fragrant flowers and a low-growing habit. It typically blooms in early spring and is winter hardy in USDA Zones 4 to 8.

Primrose is an excellent filler for shaded garden beds. While many small flowers struggle to thrive under large trees, primrose appreciates dappled shade and cool soil. 

Primrose flowers are usually yellow but some varieties have pink or purple blossoms instead. 

5) Grape Hyacinth

Muscari spp.

• Type: Bulb
• Average Height: 6-9 in.
• Light Requirements: Full to partial sun

This isn’t actually a type of hyacinth, it just looks like one. Regardless, grape hyacinth is a popular, diminutive spring bulb with charming purple flowers borne on stalks.

Grape hyacinth grows best in full sun, but you can often get away with planting it underneath deciduous trees that won’t yet have their full canopies when the bulbs sprout and bloom. Like other very small flowers, grape hyacinth has the greatest impact when planted in groups.

While a unique addition to the early spring garden, it’s important to note that grape hyacinth has an invasive growth habit. Take measures to prevent it from self-seeding and spreading outside of the intended area.

6) Snapdragon

Antirrhinum majus

• Type: Annual or tender perennial
• Average Height: 6-18 in.
• Light Requirements: Full to partial sun

In my experience, the snapdragon is such a classic among annual flowers that it’s frequently overlooked in favor of showier options. Yet the upright habit and unique petal structure of snapdragons make them a great asset for any container or bed arrangement.

Technically speaking, snapdragons are tender, short-lived perennials. They’re almost always grown as annuals (though it’s a nice surprise to find one return from the previous year!). 

Snapdragons come in many different colors and even sizes, with some growing a couple of feet tall at maturity. Most varieties are only a few inches tall, however, and can be tucked into very small gaps in your garden.

7) Calibrachoa

Calibrachoa

• Type: Annual or tender perennial
• Average Height: 6-12 in.
• Light Requirements: Full to partial sun

Also known as mini petunias or million bells, Calibrachoa is a small genus of flowering plants that very much resemble petunias (but are not closely related). Like petunias, they are available in a wide range of colors and are well-suited to use in hanging baskets.

It’s not just the flowers that are smaller than petunias. The entire Calibrachoa plant is petite, usually growing only about 6 inches tall. However, they do have a sprawling growth habit that can easily reach up to 2 feet across.

Calibrachoa can tolerate full or partial sun exposure — the ideal amount of sunlight is largely dependent on how hot your area is during the summer. 

8) Wax Begonia

Begonia semperflorens

• Type: Annual or tender perennial
• Average Height: 6-18 in.
• Light Requirements: Full to partial sun

With so many different kinds of begonia out there, it’s sometimes hard to keep track. Wax begonias are most popular as summer bedding annuals (though they’re really tender perennials) that boast pink, white, or red flowers.

The name for this begonia species comes from the wax-like coating on the leaves. Foliage varies in color from one variety to another, so you can potentially create diverse arrangements using wax begonias alone.

Though some wax begonias can reach a considerable size by the end of the season, you’ll probably also find young plants measuring only a few inches tall and wide at your local greenhouse.

9) Woodland Forget-Me-Not

Myosotis sylvatica

• Type: Herbaceous perennial
• Average Height: 6-12 in.
• Light Requirements: Full to partial sun

Woodland forget-me-nots are incredibly low-maintenance plants topped with clusters of delicate blue flowers in late spring and summer. They are frequently used as a ground cover or to line the edges of larger garden beds.

The individual flowers of forget-me-not are very small. Collectively, however, these perennial blooms can make a big impact on a cottage- or woodland-style landscape. They pair nicely with more structured spring flowers, like tulips and daffodils.

Though attractive and charming, woodland forget-me-not isn’t the best option for North American gardens. According to the Midwest Invasive Species Information Network, woodland forget-me-nots may spread and displace native plant species.

10) Carnation

Dianthus caryophyllus

• Type: Annual or tender perennial
• Average Height: 12-24 in.
• Light Requirements: Full to partial shade

Popular in spring bouquets, carnations are all too often overlooked in the actual garden! While I’ll admit that carnations won’t create a stunning landscape on their own, there are many ways to incorporate these easy-going flowers in your garden beds or outdoor containers this year.

Carnations are very genetically diverse, leading to a whole host of different colors and growth habits available to home gardeners. It’s great fun to try new varieties year after year — you can always return to those proven classics the following season if desired.

If you’re looking for a diminutive carnation to fill smaller spaces in your garden, stick with the species D. caryophyllus. The flowers may not translate well to lush bouquets but will definitely add color and texture to your outdoor living space.

11) Trailing Lobelia

Lobelia erinus

• Type: Annual or tender perennial
• Average Height: 6-9 in.
• Light Requirements: Full to partial sun

Trailing lobelia isn’t as common as some of the other flowers on this list. But I think it deserves a turn in the spotlight, as it has a lot of unique qualities that you can take advantage of in your own landscape design.

As the name suggests, trailing lobelia has a mostly spreading habit. It’s the type of plant you want to grow in a hanging basket or along the top of a retaining wall.

The half-moon flowers come in many colors. Trailing lobelia is usually grown as an annual, but will survive multiple years in USDA Zone 10 or 11. 

12) Crocus

Crocus spp.

• Type: Bulb
• Average Height: 6 in.
• Bloom Time: Full to partial sun

These spring bulbs are famous for sprouting when there is still a thin layer of snow on the ground. Crocuses are unbothered by the cold and are usually the first flowers to bloom in my own garden.

Each crocus bulb produces a single flower, so it’s a good idea to plant them in groups. Or you can scatter bulbs throughout your lawn and garden beds for a naturalized aesthetic.

Perhaps the only downside to growing crocuses is that they come and go so quickly. Since few other flowers bloom at the same time, however, they offer a nice reminder that spring has arrived!

13) Shasta Daisy

Leucanthemum × superbum

• Type: Herbaceous perennial
• Average Height: 12-24 in.
• Light Requirements: Full to partial sun

The shasta daisy is a hybrid created by crossing a number of different daisy species native to North America. There are now dozens of distinct varieties of Shasta daisies available to gardeners, each with unique physical traits and growth habits.

Shasta daisies are extremely versatile — the white flowers seamlessly blend in with almost any garden aesthetic or style. They’re also very popular among pollinators, so you can expect to see a variety of butterflies and bees wherever you plant them.

Shasta daisies are also incredibly adaptable. They’ll grow in nearly any light or soil conditions. Just keep in mind that the plants only live for a couple of years, so you might need to ‘restock’ each year with new plants.

14) Striped Squill

Puschkinia scilloides

• Type: Bulb
• Average Height: 6 in.
• Light Requirements: Full to partial sun

Not to be mistaken for the invasive Siberian squill (Scilla siberica), the striped squill is a tiny flowering bulb that looks right at home alongside crocuses, snowdrops, and other spring ephemerals. 

Striped squill is a good candidate for naturalizing a grass lawn or similar area. This technique can give your landscape a nice boost in activity very early in the growing season. Butterflies and other pollinators are also attracted to the miniature blooms.

If you decide to grow striped squill, be sure to give the flowers a good sniff. This small plant packs a big punch in terms of fragrance! (Personally, I think it smells a lot like jasmine.)

15) Alpine Aster

Aster alpinus

• Type: Herbaceous perennial
• Average Height: 12 in.
• Light Requirements: Full sun

Asters are tough, daisy-like flowers that fill the garden with early spring or fall colors. If you’re conscious of the pollinators in and around your garden, these flowers can be a great way to extend the availability of pollen and nectar.

The alpine aster is primarily native to the Alps and Pyrenees Mountains. It thrives in cool temperatures and requires very little soil fertility in comparison to other blooming perennials. Alpine aster is excellent for rock gardens and similar environments.

This clump-forming perennial boasts lavender-blue flowers that bloom in May or June in most climates. It looks great in containers or landscape borders.

16) Thumbelina Zinnia

Zinnia elegans

• Type: Annual
• Average Height: 12 in.
• Light Requirements: Full sun

Zinnias are some of the most popular annual flowers. Over time, they’ve been bred to produce all different colors and forms, including the particularly small Thumbelina variety.

Thumbelina zinnias are dwarf plants that typically grow only a foot tall. You can incorporate these colorful blooms in established garden beds or seasonal containers around your property.

To produce healthy and long-lasting flowers, Zinnias need ample sun. They’re also prone to diseases like powdery mildew, which are effectively controlled by a good balance of sunlight and air circulation.

17) Lily of the Valley

Convallaria majalis

• Type: Bulb
• Average Height: 6-12 in.
• Light Requirements: Partial to full shade

Lily of the Valley is a fragrant ground cover that spreads via underground rhizomes. It is native to parts of Europe and Asia but can be found in nearly all comparable climates today.

In my neighborhood, lily of the valley is frequently planted beneath trees or in shady border beds. Its rhizomatous growth habit means that new plants will emerge to fill the available space until you’re eventually left with a dense colony of spring flowers.

A couple of things to note about Lily of the Valley is that it’s toxic and potentially invasive. I don’t recommend growing this flower if you have pets or small children who might accidentally ingest it.

18) Fairy Foxglove

Erinus alpinus

• Type: Herbaceous perennial
• Average Height: 3 in.
• Light Requirements: Full to partial sun

If you aren’t familiar with this tiny plant, it’s very easy to mistake it for an unwelcome weed. But fairy foxglove is more aptly described as a flowering ornamental, despite the fact it only grows to be 2 to 3 inches tall!

Fairy foxglove would be quickly overwhelmed in a traditional garden bed. The better way to utilize this perennial is by planting it between paving stones or in a rock garden of some kind. Fairy foxglove hails from alpine climates, making it particularly suited for these tough environments.

The flowers (and the plant itself) are pretty short-lived, peaking for just a few weeks in late spring or early summer. Fortunately, fairy foxglove is a vigorous self-seeder, so it will return year after year once initially established.

19) Rock Cress

Arabis spp.

• Type: Herbaceous perennial
• Average Height: 6-10 in.
• Light Requirements: Full sun

Rock cress is a hardy, low-growing perennial that thrives in tough alpine conditions. It’s very popular in rock gardens and will happily take root on a steep slope or along the top of a stone wall. 

Most varieties of rock cress only grow to be about one to two feet across. When planted up against a landscape border of some kind, however, they will still ‘spill’ over the edge gracefully. 

Rock cress is a good ground cover to fill in aesthetic gaps and prevent weed infiltration. Combine rock cress (which usually has purple, pink, or white flowers) with taller spring and summer bloomers in varying colours for maximum impact.

20) Miniature Rose

Rosa spp.

• Type: Deciduous shrub
• Average Height: 12-24 in.
• Light Requirements: Full sun

Miniature roses are most often sold as gifts in ornamental pots. In my experience, these diminutive shrubs rarely survive longer than a couple of months when kept indoors. But miniature roses are just as hardy as their full-sized counterparts in the landscape.

True to their name, miniature roses are roses that have been shrunk down in all aspects via selective breeding. The stems, leaves, and flowers are just like those of ‘normal’ roses — only smaller. 

To get the most from your miniature roses, you’ll want to place them at the front of the garden bed. Anywhere else, and they’re likely to be overlooked or accidentally choked out. 

FAQs Small Flowering Plants

What flowers are best for a small pot?

My go-to flowers for small pots or containers include impatiens, pansies, sweet alyssum, and wax begonia. However, you can grow a surprising number of flowering annuals in pots that are only a few inches wide and deep as long as you use the right potting soil and water frequently!

Citations

• Midwest Invasive Species Information Network Woodland forget-me-not invasive status
• The Minnesota Wildflowers Siberian Squill invasive status
• North Carolina State University Lily of the Valley characteristics