Balcony Retreat

Compact plants that create maximum impact in small containers.

Why It Works

Low and mounding forms stay proportionate in pots while offering season-long interest through foliage and flowers.

Best For

Balconies, window boxes, small patios, or any space-limited outdoor area.

The Plants

Ordered by planting position

Flowering Plants

№1

Catmint

Nepeta × faassenii

Catmint is the great softener—billowing clouds of lavender-blue flowers that blur edges and fill gaps with easy grace. Bees and butterflies can't resist its aromatic presence.

Winter Interest

№2

Christmas Box

Sarcococca hookeriana var. humilis

Christmas box perfumes winter air with intensely sweet, vanilla-like fragrance from tiny white flowers. Its compact, evergreen habit suits the smallest gardens.

Flowering Plants

№3

Dusky Cranesbill

Geranium phaeum 'Samobor'

A shade-loving geranium with distinctive maroon-blotched leaves and small dusky purple flowers. The foliage provides season-long interest even when not in bloom.

Impact

№4

English lavender ‘Hidcote’

Lavandula angustifolia 'Hidcote'

'Hidcote' is the benchmark lavender—deep purple flowers above compact silver foliage, intensely fragrant and loved by bees. It embodies everything we dream a lavender should be.

the Kitchen

№5

English mace; Sweet Nancy; Sweet yarrow

Achillea ageratum

Sweet yarrow offers a froth of tiny cream flowers with an unexpected sweet, musk fragrance. Its grey-green foliage is aromatic when brushed, adding sensory layers to the garden.

Ready to create your balcony retreat?

Explore each plant to learn about growing conditions, companions, and care tips.

Start with Catmint