Here’s a great idea from Canada Blooms 2008.

This entire garden is under 20” square. The designer selected various plants for their resemblance to mature trees and shrubs and finished the look with fine pebbles and a flagstone path.

You can make these little gardens yourself.

Start with a suitable shallow container.

Pick plants that look like miniature shrubs and trees. There are hundreds that can be used. For example ordinary thyme looks like a shrub and can be trimmed to hold its shape. Santolina, a common bedding plant, bears resemblance to evergreen shrubs. Aralia or Schefflera, both houseplants, have nice woody bark and can be used as a tree in the miniature landscape.

Arrange these in the container. Try different combinations until you find one that has the right look. Then simply plant the plants in ordinary potting soil.

Finish the mini landscape with fine mulch, tiny bits of flagstone, little pebbles, sand or whatever strikes your fancy.

When you’re finished, water in your new garden and check it regularly to see if it’s thirsty.

These little gardens are perfect for everyone.

Click to enlarge