Top 10 Trendy Plants for Small Urban Gardens

With outdoor spaces becoming increasingly popular as an extension of our homes it's good to make sure they both look good and feel inviting. Living in the city can come with many advantages but the downside to it is having less space to create your very own plant paradise and a space to entertain. If you're ready to overcome this and brighten up your area we have put together a top ten list of plants that we recommend using in smaller spaces ready to create your garden dream.

You don't have to just stick to smaller and more compact plants, it's about taking advantage of all of the space we have available. Try to make use of all of the vertical elements too such as walls and fences. Not forgetting trying to encourage more wildlife and picking plants that will attract both bees and butterflies.

1. Erysimum/ Wallflowers

Probably the most well known and best loved drought tolerant plant that has everything going for it! Lavenders are literally the ultimate drought tolerant plant. With silver/green foliage that grows readily in almost any soil type, this hardy shrub can withstand high temperatures with no These small compact plants are high in nectar content and are perfect for growing in smaller gardens. Usually grown in mixed colours for a cheerful and bright display, especially in the early months of spring, wallflowers are known to flower virtually all year round. Erysimum 'Bowles Mauve' produces masses of mauve flowers above clumps of grey-green, evergreen foliage.

2. Trachelospermum

In order to give you more space in the garden you can grow vertically as opposed to horizontally and introduce climbers to your garden. Trachelospermum are hardy climbers which produce a constellation of starry white flowers throughout summer. Trachelospermum is well loved-for its intense, sweet perfume that fills the air on still summer evenings. Trachelospermum jasminoides has rich evergreen foliage turns deep red and bronze in autumn, forming the perfect backdrop for its dramatic white star shaped blooms which perfume the air with an irresistible, sweet fragrance, try scrambling this up a wall or fence.

3. Acers

- It doesn't matter how small your outdoor space or garden is you should always try to fit in a tree. Acer palmatum makes a magnificent, small tree for a sheltered corner in dappled shade, so is ideal for those difficult parts of the garden. The foliage is delicate, and turns from mid green during summer to a mix of oranges, yellows and reds before it falls in the autumn.

4. Dahlias

Urban gardens have their own mini micro climate which allows you to grow plants which are less hardy and will survive the winter. Usually the tubers of dahlia plants would have to be dug up for the winter months and over wintered in a dry-frost free place but with a good layer of mulch they can remain in the ground. Dahlia 'Bishop of Llandaff' is unusual for its dark aubergine, almost black stems and foliage which provide a stunning contrast to the bright red flowers.

5. Ferns

Quickly add excitement to the shadier spots of your space by creating a stunning display of architectural fronds. Ferns are the perfect plants for urban areas as they often hold on to their leaves during the winter months due to the micro-climate. They also look great when used as under planting or hiding any rough patches. Blechnum brasiliensis 'Volcano' is an exciting new find for the home gardener, only recently introduced to the UK, but sure to be the next big thing!

6. Hyacinth

- These delightful plants need very little space and will return year after year. They are planted from bulbs and are double the delight for your senses with a spectacular explosion of both colour and perfume. Hyacinth 'Berries and Cream Mixture' creates a harmonious blend of rose, violet, pink and pale lavender, instead of the usual shades of blue and purple.

7. Heuchera

These compact plants have sprays of delicate, tiny flowers floating on wiry stems above neat mounds of vibrant foliage. Prized for their colourful leaves, these versatile semi-evergreen perennials make excellent drifts of ground cover, adding a distinctive splash of colour Heuchera villosa 'Palace Purple' has neat mounds of distinctive purple foliage which provides year round colour.

8. Asters

The ultimate late flowering perennials that bring a refreshing rainbow of blooms to fading borders and containers. Aster dumosus 'Samoa' has a floriferous, care-free habit, requiring little maintenance throughout the year. Incandescent purple-blue flowers with bright golden eyes cover the slender green foliage in autumn. An excellent choice for wildlife gardens where it will attract pollinating insects to its nectar-rich blooms.

9. Hardy Geraniums

Also known as Cranesbill, are a diverse group of plants and are some of the most tolerant and long-lived perennials you could grow. These low-maintenance perennials are key to a beautiful urban garden as they provide colour over a long period in the summer with white, pink, purple or blue flowers. Once they have finished flowering you can chop them right back to encourage re-growth and repeat flowering. Geranium 'Bloomtime' is a new variety of hardy geranium. It's another real beauty with pale pink veined flowers that look spectacular when planted in borders en masse.

10. Sweet Peas

These colourful climbing plants will quickly cover boring walls and fences in a block of highly scented blooms. Friends and family will love receiving fresh posies from you - sweet peas are hard to come by at the florists as they don't travel well. Sweet Pea 'Promise' is a particularly fragrant variety, boasting up to 4 large, frilly blooms on each long stem.

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