23 Tiny Flowers With Big Influence in Your Garden (2024)

Gardening

Flowers

Pretty plants with small flowers are fragrant and versatile

• 01 of 23

  Baby's Breath

  

  You may know baby's breath best as a filler in Valentine's bouquets, but this perennial flower shines in the garden. Although these tiny white flowers and thin, wispy stems look delicate, they are quite resilient in the landscape. Plants thrive in dry, average soil, but this plant prefers alkaline conditions, making it ideal for rock gardens. 'Bristol Fairy' is a reliable performer and will bloom from April until the end of summer.

  • Name: Baby's breath (Gypsophila spp.)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-9
  • Color Varieties: White, pink, orange, red, yellow, and purple
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun
  • Soil Needs: Well-drained, alkaline
  • Mature Size: 2-3 ft. tall and wide
  • Deer-Resistant: Yes

• 02 of 23

  Fairy Foxglove

  

  Also known as starflower and alpine blossom, this species of foxglove features feather-like petals and dark green stems. This plant can be grown from seed; however, starting fairy foxglove flowers with a mature plant acquired from a nursery is easier. They will happily grow in any rock crevice or wall. Unlike many rock garden plants, fairy foxglove will grow in partial shade.

  • Name: Fairy foxglove (Erinus alpinus)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-7
  • Color Varieties: Pink, purple, and white
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial shade
  • Soil Needs: Well-drained
  • Mature Size: 2-3 in. tall, 6-8 in, wide
  • Deer-Resistant: Yes

• 03 of 23

  Forget-Me-Not

  

  If you struggle to find a pretty plant for your woodland garden that rabbits and deer won't eat, try low-maintenance forget-me-not. This short-lived perennial readily self-seeds and will continue to produce flowers for many years when planted in moist areas. The plants are covered in bright blue flowers with cheerful yellow eyes in April and May.

  • Name: Forget-me-not (Myosotis sylvatica)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-8
  • Color Varieties: Blue, white, pink, and yellow
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial shade
  • Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained
  • Mature Size: 1 ft. tall and wide
  • Deer-Resistant: Yes

  See Also

  11 Beautiful Tiny Flowers That Will Make A Difference in Your Garden | Florgeous25 Types of Tiny White Flowers (Identification and Pictures)20 Different Plants With Tiny Flowers For Your Garden

• 04 of 23

  Kenilworth Ivy

  

  Part of the charm of Kenilworth ivy, also called ivy-leaved toadflax, is the attractive scalloped foliage that adds texture to the landscape even when the lavender flowers aren't blooming. However, that doesn't happen much, as the plants can remain in bloom from spring until fall in moist soils with some afternoon shade. Kenilworth ivy is only hardy in USDA zones 6 and higher, but self-seeding in colder climates is common.

  • Name: Kenilworth ivy (Cymbalaria muralis)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 6-11
  • Color Varieties: Lavender
  • Sun Exposure: Partial shade
  • Soil Needs: Moist
  • Mature Size: 2-3 in. tall, 12-18 in. wide
  • Deer-Resistant: Yes

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• 05 of 23

  Lobelia

  

  The true-blue flowers of the annual Lobelia erinus are a popular filler plant in early spring containers and hanging baskets. New varieties of this plant ensure that blossoms won't fade when the weather heats up. When nights get hot, shear the plant and keep it hydrated for a repeat bloom.

  • Name: Lobelia (Lobelia erinus)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 6-8
  • Color Varieties: Blue
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun
  • Soil Needs: Well-drained
  • Mature Size: 6-9 in. tall, 9-10 in. wide
  • Deer-Resistant: Yes

• 06 of 23

  Rock Cress

  

  If you aren't familiar with rock cress, there are more than a dozen hybrids to start your collection, including the brilliant purple 'Axcent Lilac.' In mid- to late spring, the evergreen foliage of rock cress sports hundreds of pink, purple, or blue flowers on 4- to 9-inch plants. Trim the plants after blooming to maintain the compact, mounding shape.

  • Name: Rock cress (Arabis spp.)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-7
  • Color Varieties: Pink, purple, and blue
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun
  • Soil Needs: Well-drained, slightly acidic
  • Mature Size: 4-9 in. tall, 10-12 in. wide
  • Deer-Resistant: Yes

• 07 of 23

  Snow-In-Summer

  

  Snow-in-summer is a robust perennial with a silver cast to the foliage and abundant white flowers. This versatile plant works well as an accent along border edges and as a filler between garden pavers or crevices. The plants are excellent rock garden candidates, thriving in full sun and sharply draining soils. Snow in summer is hardy down to zone 3, making it a welcome addition to alpine gardens.

  • Name: Snow-in-summer (Cerastium tomentosum)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-7
  • Color Varieties: White
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun
  • Soil Needs: Well-drained
  • Mature Size: 6-12 in. tall, 9-12 in. wide
  • Deer-Resistant: Yes

• 08 of 23

  Sweet Alyssum

  

  The fragrance of tiny sweet alyssum blooms is so sweet that it's often compared to fresh honey. In early spring, these plants are standard offerings in garden centers everywhere. You can also grow a range of luscious flowers in Easter egg hues from seed. The seeds germinate quickly, sometimes in less than a week, and transplants thrive in cool spring weather. Give your sweet alyssum a trim when blooming gets sparse to rejuvenate the plant.

  • Name: Sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 7-11
  • Color Varieties: Pink, orange, white, yellow, and red
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial shade
  • Soil Needs: Rich, loamy, neutral pH
  • Mature Size: 3-10 in. tall, 2-4 in. wide
  • Deer-Resistant: Yes

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• 09 of 23

  Thyme

  

  It's always a bonus when a plant can do double duty in the garden, and thyme fulfills that role nicely. Many cultivars act as a flowering ground cover and culinary herb, such as 'Italian Oregano' thyme. The leaves grow in clusters on thin stems. All varieties of thyme need full sun and good drainage, and the plants respond well to shearing after spring blooms begin to fade. The purple blossoms will return a few weeks later, attracting native bees and beneficial wasps.

  • Name: Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 2-10
  • Color Varieties: Purple
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun
  • Soil Needs: Well-drained
  • Mature Size: 2-6 in. tall, 6-18 in. wide
  • Deer-Resistant: Yes

• 10 of 23

  Dianthus

  

  Dianthus flowers are also called "pinks," not just because many of them come in pink but because the fringed flower petals' edges look like pinking shears have frayed them. They are treasured for their long-lived blooms, clove-like scent, and ease of care. Many varieties are available, including hardy annuals, biennials, and perennials. Hummingbirds, bees, and other pollinators also favor these lovely, bright-colored flowers.
  

  • Name: Dianthus (Dianthus spp.)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-9
  • Color Varieties: Pink, purple, white, yellow, red, or bi-colored
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun
  • Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained
  • Mature Size: 6-36 in. tall, 6-24 in. wide
  • Deer-Resistant: Yes

• 11 of 23

  Pansy

  

  Pansies stand out in a crowd with their face-like, inkblot center markings. They don't get big; some might cascade a little bit. To encourage more blooms, deadhead the flowers once they've faded. A pansy's biggest downfall is the high heat of summer, but if you give them ample water and some shade in the blazing afternoon sun, they might hold on. Otherwise, you'll have more luck with them in the spring and fall.

  • Name: Pansy (Viola x wittrockiana)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-8
  • Color Varieties: White, yellow, purple, blue
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial shade
  • Soil Needs: Well-drained
  • Mature Size: 4-8 in. tall, 4-6 in. wide
  • Deer-Resistant: No

• 12 of 23

  Creeping Phlox

  

  Phlox grows in many sizes, including low-spreading, creeping, and tall garden phlox. The plant varieties feature large clusters of tiny, long-lasting flowers, beginning in early spring, enduring the hot summer, and holding on until the first frost. These perennials handle full to partial sun and prefer rich, well-drained soil. Deadhead these flowers to encourage more blooms. Bees, other pollinators, and hummingbirds visit these flowers.

  • Name: Creeping phlox (Phlox stolonifera)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-9
  • Color Varieties: Purple, pink, white
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial shade
  • Soil Needs: Loamy, well-drained
  • Mature Size: 6-12 in. tall, 9-18 in. wide
  • Deer-Resistant: Yes
    

  Continue to 13 of 23 below

• 13 of 23

  Lily of the Valley

  

  Lily of the valley flowers are petite, fragrant, bell-shaped white flowers that gracefully suspend from long stems. They are deceptively enticing; all parts of the plant are toxic to pets and humans. They also have a habit of spreading aggressively; contain or dig them up and divide them, so they don't overgrow in your garden or overtake your other plants.

  • Name: Lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-8
  • Color Varieties: White
  • Sun Exposure: Partial shade, shade
  • Soil Needs: Well-drained
  • Mature Size: 6-12 in. tall, 9-12 in. wide
  • Deer-Resistant: Yes

• 14 of 23

  Egyptian Star Clusters

  

  Egyptian star clusters look like 4-inch bunches of 5-pointed stars that attract bees, butterflies,andhummingbirdsto their nectar-rich flowers that grow in clusters over a long period. They're also called pentas and produce flowers in red, pink, and purple shades. This subtropical plant mainly grows as an annual, but in warmer zones, such as zone 10, it is a perennial. This plant will benefit from deadheading to extend its blooming period.

  • Name: Egyptian star clusters (Pentas lanceolata)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 10-11
  • Color Varieties: Red, pink, lavender, white
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial shade
  • Soil Needs: Rich, well-drained
  • Mature Size: 24-36 in. tall and wide
  • Deer-Resistant: Yes

• 15 of 23

  Primrose

  

  Primroses produce beautiful umbrels of colorful flowers that arise on sturdy stalks in spring. Some varieties have flower clusters on a single stem or only one flower per stem. Most are low-growing and prefer partial sun, although they can tolerate full sun with frequent watering. Divide these perennials to prevent them from overgrowing in one area. Primroses are hardy in zones 3 to 8 and can be grown annually in other zones but cannot survive long in zone 9 and up because they need cool temperatures to survive and bloom.
  

  • Name: Primrose (Primula spp.)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-8
  • Color Varieties: Red, pink, orange, yellow, blue, purple, white
  • Sun Exposure: Partial shade, shade
  • Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained
  • Mature Size: 6-20 in. tall, 8-20 in. wide
  • Deer-Resistant: Yes

• 16 of 23

  Blue Chip Butterfly Bush

  

  Butterfly bush is beloved for its impressive sprays or clusters of tiny flowers of many colors in the summer. that attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees. Unfortunately, it is also invasive, unless you select a sterile cultivar such as 'Blue Chip'. With its miniature stature, it fits in small yards and can also be grown in containers.

  • Name: Blue Chip butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii'Blue Chip')
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-9
  • Color Varieties: Blue, purple
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun
  • Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained
  • Mature Size: 24-36 in. tall and wide
  • Deer-Resistant: Yes

  Continue to 17 of 23 below

• 17 of 23

  Lavender

  

  Lavender is a perennial herb known for its tiny, fragrant purpleflowersthat are sparsely arranged on spikes. It's a plant that appreciates full sun and tolerates drought. The trick for producing flowers with this plant is to allow it to dry out before watering it. It grows moderately, often adding a few inches to its size each year.

  • Name: Lavender (Lavendula spp.)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-9
  • Color Varieties: Purple
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun
  • Soil Needs: Dry, well-drained
  • Mature Size: 2-3 ft. tall, 2-4 ft. wide
  • Deer-Resistant: Yes

• 18 of 23

  Butterfly Weed

  

  Butterfly weed is a huge favorite of bees and butterflies, producing tiny bright orange or yellowish flowers blooming in clusters in summer. This plant fares best in full sun and can tolerate drought. The easy-growing native doesn't seem to attract deer or rabbits, but it's a big-time aphid magnet. Whatever you do to get rid of the aphids, refrain from pesticides since this plant is a primary food source for monarch butterflies.

  • Name: Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-9
  • Color Varieties: Orange, yellow
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun
  • Soil Needs: Dry, well-drained
  • Mature Size: 1-2 ft., 12-18 in. wide
  • Deer-Resistant: Yes

• 19 of 23

  Lantana

  

  Lantanas bloom in summer with clusters of tiny, bright-colored flowers in a mix of yellow, orange, white, red, pink, blue, or purple, sometimes bi-colored too. Butterflies and hummingbirds are attracted to this plant's flowers. It has rough, citrusy leaves that deter deer. Winter-hardy in zones 7 to 11, it is planted as an annual in cooler zones. It is invasive in warmer parts of the United States, such as Florida, Hawaii, and Arizona.

  • Name: Lantana (Lantana camara)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 7-11
  • Color Varieties: Red, orange, yellow, blue, white, pink, purple
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun
  • Soil Needs: Well-drained
  • Mature Size: 6 ft. tall and wide
  • Deer-Resistant: Yes

• 20 of 23

  Yarrow

  

  Yarrow is a long-lasting perennial plant with tiny flat flower clusters that can spread aggressively. Deadhead its flowers to prevent it from spreading its seed. It blooms from summer to fall. Its pollen-rich flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Once established, it is drought tolerant.

  • Name: Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-9
  • Color Varieties: Purple, white, yellow, pink, orange, red, bi-colored
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun
  • Soil Needs: Well-drained
  • Mature Size: 2-3 ft. tall and wide
  • Deer-Resistant: Yes

  Continue to 21 of 23 below

• 21 of 23

  Heather

  

  Heather is a small, woody perennial shrub that blooms from midsummer to early fall, producing tiny mauve, purple, or white flowers. It also has tiny (1/8 inch long), evergreen, scale-like leaves. Heather is slow-growing, preferring a moist, acidic habitat, much like the heathlands of Scotland, where it comes from.It is invasive in a few spots with bogs, such as North Carolina, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island.

  • Name: Heather (Calluna vulgaris)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-6
  • Color Varieties: Mauve, purple, white
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial shade
  • Soil Needs: Sandy, moist
  • Mature Size: 24 in. tall, 24-36 in. wide
  • Deer-Resistant: Yes

• 22 of 23

  Stonecrop

  

  Stonecrop are succulent plants favored by bees, with over 600 species that can be low-growing or tall and upright. They all have clusters of tiny, star-shaped flowers in many colors that bloom late in the growing season. They also have interesting foliage that makes them a good choice for planting as edging, ground covers, and in container gardens.
  

  • Name: Stonecrop (Sedum and Hylotelephium spp.)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-10
  • Color Varieties: Red, pink, yellow, white
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial shade
  • Soil Needs: Sandy, loamy, well-drained
  • Mature Size: 6-24 in. tall, 12-24 in. wide
  • Deer-Resistant: Depends on the species
    

• 23 of 23

  Queen Anne's Lace

  

  If you've ever grown carrots in your garden and left them in the ground too long, before you know it, sprouting from the carrot tops is Queen Anne's lace. The stalks can grow up to 7 feet tall, while the flowers are tiny and white, with a deep purple floret in the center. They look beautiful in a wildflower garden with a delicate, lace-like look. However, they can be considered a weed and self-seed readily. Deadhead this plant to prevent its aggressive spread.

  • Name: Queen Anne's lace (Daucus carota)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-10
  • Color Varieties: White
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial shade
  • Soil Needs: Well-drained
  • Mature Size: 1-4 ft. tall, 8-12 in. wide.
  • Deer-Resistant: Yes