I often dream of gardening in wide open spaces where I can plant anything my heart desires without space or budget constraints. Unfortunately, that’s just not a reality for me, and it isn’t the reality for most gardeners.
As urban areas expand, garden space shrinks. With this change comes a need to choose plants carefully to make the most of prime backyard real estate. It’s important to avoid flowers that tend to take over, especially if you don’t want to spend all your time controlling growth rather than enjoying it.
Although undoubtedly beautiful, these perennials are best kept out of small garden spaces. Luckily, there are always wonderful alternatives that won’t give you the same trouble.
Butterfly Bush
Butterfly bush is a popular choice for attracting pollinators like butterflies.
If you’re looking to attract pollinators to your garden – and particularly butterflies – you’ll probably see butterfly bush high on the list of recommendations. Scientifically known as Buddleia davidii, the butterfly bush features adorable purple flowers that are beloved by gardeners.
Unfortunately, planting butterfly bushes in your garden (and especially a small garden) can have negative effects that outweigh their aesthetic benefits.
This plant is considered invasive in many regions across the US, self-seeding to spread not only around your garden but to nearby habitats too. The vigorous growth smothers native plants and can quickly get out of control in warm climates. This is top of our list of flowers to avoid in small spaces.
Coneflowers (Echinacea) are great alternatives that attract even more pollinators and can be used for a pop of purple color, depending on your chosen species. The plants remain much more compact and manageable than butterfly bushes, ideal for small spaces.
Wisteria
Mature wisteria is unsuitable for small gardens due to its size and aggressive growth.
One look at a mature wisteria will give you the first reason why it’s not suitable for small gardens – size. This climber is large and needs a tall, tough support to grow to its full potential.
But even if you’re willing to make the space, there is a more important reason it should be avoided. Wisteria is an aggressive plant that will quickly take over your backyard if not controlled. This may be useful for quickly covering a pergola or garden arch, but the roots will spread to crowd out other plants in your garden and may even damage other structures.
Wisteria sinensis, commonly known as Chinese wisteria, is just one of a few varieties declared invasive in several eastern states and is a great risk to plant in a small space. Instead, you can try climbing hydrangeas with the same uses and without the aggressive spread.
Plume Poppy
These poppies are controversial due to their invasive nature and towering height.
The plume poppy (Macleaya cordata) is not a true poppy. It doesn’t belong to the genus Papaver but is part of the poppy family (Papaveraceae), much like California poppies. However, plume poppies aren’t quite as beloved as their relatives and are controversial choices for gardeners.
The controversy stems from the invasive nature of these plants, particularly in warm climates. Both the rhizomes and seeds quickly spread to take over small gardens if not rigorously controlled, making it a high-maintenance (and generally not worthwhile) choice. Another reason to avoid these flowers in small spaces: they also grow to a towering 8 feet tall, leaving little room for other plants.
If you’re looking for height, try growing the popular cottage garden staple hollyhocks (Alcea rosea) instead. They grow vertically without taking up too much horizontal space and have similar foliage to enjoy when the plant is not in flower.
Lily of the Valley
Lily of the valley is unsuitable for small gardens due to its aggressive spreading nature through rhizomes.
Those needing to fill shady gardens might consider the adorable woodland plant Convallaria majalis, commonly known as Lily of the Valley. But unless you’re willing to deal with its spread for years to come, you may want to avoid this flower in your small garden space.
Lily of the Valley has aggressive rhizomes that spread underneath the soil undetected. You’ll notice the signs of this rapid spread every spring when new plants start to pop up out of nowhere, potentially spreading far from where you initially planted.
This plant may be a wonderful symbol of spring, but it’s not ideal for small spaces if you plan on growing anything else in the same area. For similar flowers, try snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis) or plant in containers where the rhizomes can’t become an issue. It’s also toxic to animals, which means it’s not ideal if you share your home with pets.
Sweet Autumn Clematis
Sweet autumn clematis with fragrant white flowers is invasive and aggressive in growth.
Clematis terniflora, or sweet autumn clematis, has eye-catching white flowers with a wonderfully sweet scent. Popping up in late summer and flowering into fall, the carpets of flowers make this vine a very tempting option.
Unfortunately, Clematis terniflora has an aggressive growth habit, making it a flowering vine to avoid in small spaces. The vines spread rapidly to smother nearby plants, and the flowers release seeds that spread to other habitats nearby. It’s invasive in some eastern states. The vines also grow beyond 10 feet tall, making them larger than many small gardens can accommodate.
Luckily, other clematis species aren’t as aggressive, such as the native Clematis virginiana. But if you’re short on space, you can also opt for the fragrant but often shorter jasmine vines.
Loosestrife
The Lysimachia genus offers colorful flowers like gooseneck loosestrife and creeping jenny.
Plants in the Lysimachia genus, commonly known as loosestrife, are largely known for their eye-catching flowers in many colors. Gooseneck loosestrife (Lysimachia clethroides) is a popular option for its structural flowers while creeping jenny (Lysimachia nummularia) is a popular ground cover.
Although they are related, this genus doesn’t include the invasive Lythrum salicaria or purple loosestrife. But it’s best to avoid growing any Lysimachia in your backyard for a similar reason. It becomes difficult to control due to vigorously-spreading rhizomes and traveling seeds.
For a similar floral look on a more compact and easier-to-manage plant, try spiked speedwell (Veronica spicata). The flowers come in various colors and grow to a maximum of 3 feet, depending on the cultivar.
Periwinkle
Periwinkle flowers can become invasive and harmful to your garden.
Adorable periwinkle flowers may look inconspicuous and suitable for any space – including small gardens. But don’t let this look fool you. Species in the Vinca genus can be quite dangerous around your garden and to neighboring environments when uncontrolled.
Two of the most popular species are Vinca major (greater periwinkle) and Vinca minor (common periwinkle). In warm climates, these plants are often classified as invasive, particularly the larger Vinca major. These flowers have the ability to quickly take over small backyards and smother any plants that get in their way.
For a low-growing native option, wild blue phlox (Phlox divaricata) sports flowers with a similar shape and color. Woodland phlox is also impressively easy to grow and adapts well to varying conditions across the US.
Crocosmia
These showy flowers are attractive to hummingbirds and birds but can be invasive.
Crocosmia flowers are not just popular among gardeners, but butterflies and birds too. Most famous for attracting hummingbirds, members of this genus are great choices for injecting life into your garden. But, if you’re working in a small space, you may want to choose your coppertips very carefully or avoid these flowers altogether.
While not all crocosmia cultivars are problematic, there are a few that gardeners short on space should avoid. Several types are known to spread rapidly and quickly become out of control, conquering small spaces in no time. Crocosmia crocosmiiflora (Montbretia) is the main culprit to avoid, but there are a few others to watch out for.
Tried and tested named crocosmia cultivars are far safer options, especially for compact varieties that work in a small garden. Cardinal flowers (Lobelia cardinalis) are a little taller but have similar blooms that also attract pollinators.
Obedient Plant
Physostegia virginiana, or obedient plant, may be named for its flexible stems, but it’s invasive.
Given its common name, you may be surprised to find Physostegia virginiana on this list. However, although the stems and flowers may be ‘obedient’ in movement, this species’ growth habit and spread is anything but.
Like mint, a close relative, obedient plant may take over any beds it’s planted in, smothering any plants that get in its way. This plant should be avoided in small spaces unless you regularly dig up spreading rhizomes and deadhead before the seeds can travel around your backyard.
The ‘Miss Manners’ cultivar doesn’t cause as much trouble, making it a better choice for small gardens. You can keep the plant confined to a container, but you must still stop the seeds from spreading. For similar flowers, try planting the annual snapdragon each year instead.
Bugleweed
Ajuga reptans is a quick-spreading groundcover that becomes invasive in small gardens.
Ajuga reptans is a popular perennial groundcover often used to fill empty spaces and crowd out other weeds. But if it’s not controlled, it can grow like a weed (hence the name) and is declared invasive in several states, including Maryland and Oregon.
For large gardens with lots of open space, the rapid spread of bugleweed is a benefit. But in small gardens, it will quickly become a nightmare. Rather than dealing with this plant when it inevitably gets out of hand, it’s best to avoid planting it altogether.
Like periwinkle, wild blue phlox is a well-behaved alternative to bugleweed that may not have the same spreading capabilities but won’t give you any trouble in small spaces.
Final Thoughts
When growing in a small garden, space is at a premium. Rather than filling it with these troublesome plants, choose polite alternatives that complement your landscape rather than conquering it.
