Plants for Tight Spaces
Looking for just the right plant to fit in that narrow space along your front walkway or unique plants to tuck into a retaining wall? Find those and many more in this pictorial guide to plants for tight spaces.
Planting spaces come in all shapes and sizes, but sometimes space is more limited that we would like. Fortunately, there are plenty of unique plants to fit tight spaces like that narrow planting strip along your front walkway or the crevices in your rock wall. We’ll get you started with some ideas below, then check out our plant library for even more inspiration. Click on the pictures below to learn more about each plant.
Skinny Plants for Narrow Planting Spaces
If just three feet or less is what you have to work with in your narrow planting space, focus on plants that grow taller than they do wide. Many upright perennials fit this description, as do columnar shrubs and vines. By planting something that won’t outgrow the space, you’ll save time and effort in keeping them in bounds.
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Short Shrubs for Tucking Under Windowsills
You wouldn’t want to block the sunlight or your beautiful view of the yard, so let’s explore some naturally petite shrubs that will stay under windowsill height. All the shrubs pictured here grow less than four feet tall, so constant pruning won’t be necessary to keep them in bounds. Explore more short shrubs here.
Low Plants for Edging
If a neat edging plant is what you need to put the finishing touch on a garden bed, consider these low mounded plants. We’ve included both short and medium height varieties here. Choose one that is shorter than the plants you’ll be growing behind them in the bed to create a layered look.
 Diamond Snow® euphorbia | ||
 Lo & Behold® ‘Blue Chip Jr.’ butterfly bush (Buddleia) |
Plants for Crevices
To soften the appearance of a rock wall or the edges of a stone pathway, try tucking in a few small plants here and there. They will help the hardscape elements blend into their surroundings and make it seem like they’ve been there for ages. Be sure to choose sun and heat tolerant plants, like those pictured here, that can handle the reflected light and warmth from the stone. Find more short, heat tolerant perennials here.
 Flambe® Yellow strawflower (Chrysocephalum) | ||
 ‘Paint the Town Magenta’ pinks (Dianthus) |
Want to learn more about plants for tight spaces?
- Learn how to maximize the space you have with vertical gardening.
- Watch a Garden Answer video about growing Pyromania® red hot pokers.
- See how Laura plants up a narrow garden bed with vines in this video.
- Explore our Pinterest boards featuring perennials and shrubs for containers.
