A small outdoor space doesn’t have to mean a small garden. In Minneapolis where city lots, patios, porches, and balconies can make traditional gardening challenging, containers offer an easy way to bring color, texture, and personality to any space. With the right plants and a thoughtful design, even a few well placed pots can completely change the feel of any patio or entrance.
For gardeners in Linden Hills, Fulton, Tangletown, and Edine, container gardening is also a practical way to work with the space that you’ve got. Whether you’re new to gardening or looking to refresh an outdoor area, a few well-designed containers can make a big impact.
Big Impact, Small Footprint
One of the biggest advantages of container gardening is flexibility. Pots can define an entrance, soften a hard patio edge, add privacy to a balcony, or bring flowers and herbs closer to the kitchen. They can also be moved as the season changes, giving you the freedom to experiment with different layouts.
For small space gardening, think vertically as well as horizontally. A tall planter can draw the eye upward, while trailing plants can spill over the sides and make a compact arrangement feel more full. Grouping several containers of different heights can create a layered look without taking up too much extra floor space.
The Design Formula: Thriller, Filler, Spiller
When you’re putting together container gardens, the classic ‘thriller, filler, spiller’ formula is a useful starting point.
The thriller is the focal point. It’s a tall, dramatic plant that provides height and draws attention. The fillers sit around it, adding fullness, texture, and color. Then, the spillers trail over the edge of the container, softening the sides and creating movement.
The formula doesn’t have to be rigid though. For a more sophisticated look, consider repeating a color or texture across several containers rather than trying to fit everything you can into one pot. Proportions are also a key consideration too. A large container generally needs plants with enough height and volume to feel balanced, while smaller pots can make a statement with one type of flower.
Best Container Plants For Minnesota
Choosing the best container plants starts with understanding how much sun your space gets. A sunny Minneapolis balcony or south facing patio can be ideal for sun loving annuals, herbs, and plants that tend to thrive in warm conditions. For this type of space, consider combinations that feature geraniums, petunias, calibrachoa, ornamental grasses, herbs, or other seasonable favorites.
For shadier patios and balconies, look at plants that appreciate lower light. This includes options like begonias, coleus, impatiens, and certain types of ferns. Foliage can be just as important as flowers in these arrangements too, bringing different shades of green, silver, and burgundy into the design.
Herbs are particularly good for small gardens. Basil, thyme, mint, and other plants can turn a sunny container into a miniature kitchen garden. Just remember that growing season and winter temperatures make many container plants seasonal, so selections should be chosen with conditions in mind.
Don’t Overlook The Soil
Even the best plants can struggle if they are in the wrong soil. Container plants depend entirely on the growing medium inside their pots, so quality potting mix is worth the investment. Garden soil is generally too dense for containers, and can restrict both root development and drainage.
Make sure your pots have adequate drainage when you’re putting your potting mix into the container. Once you’ve done this, make sure that you are checking the soil regularly rather than relying on a fixed watering schedule, and remember that small containers dry out faster.
Let Sunnyside Build It
If you’re not sure which plants will work together, or simply don’t have the time to build your own arrangements, Sunnyside Gardens can take care of the design. The garden center’s custom container design service is available, with arrangements created around your space, preferences, and the seasons.
For smaller containers, you can bring your own pots to Sunnyside and work with an in-store stylist to create the best possible arrangement for you.
Make The Most Of Your Space
Create a stunning container garden in any space, Visit Sunnyside Gardens at 44th & France for plants and expert advice. Whether you’re searching for container gardening ideas, the best plants for a Minnesota patio, or simply a house plant store near me where you can get knowledgeable advice, Sunnyside Gardens is ready to help you make the most of your space. We look forward to seeing you soon.
