15 Genius Ways to Garden Anywhere

On a driveway, atop a doghouse, up a wall--here's how to garden in small and unusual spaces.


Space for a tiny garden in the middle
Space for a tiny garden in the middle


Garden in a driveway

Landscape architect Jeni Webber replaced this Palo Alto home's solid driveway with two strips of concrete, leaving space for a tiny garden in the middle.

World's smallest park
World's smallest park


In a posthole

This mini park in downtown Portland (planted in a spot meant for a lamppost) proves that there is no space too small for a garden.

Why be predictable?
Why be predictable?


Between pavers

Randi Herman wanted to plant something unique between the pavers in her Berkeley backyard; instead of using predictable groundcovers she went for a mix of lettuces and beets.


Use a ready-made redwood window box
Use a ready-made redwood window box


On the patio

Having fresh greens at your fingertips is one of the best parts of the growing season. And with a raised planter on the back patio, you can have a continual supply of salad greens nearly year-round.

You can make one using a ready-made redwood window box from the nursery.

A living roof for Fido
A living roof for Fido


Atop a doghouse

Even Fido deserves a living roof.

You can buy this stylish doghouse from prefab firm Modern Cabana. The roof is ready to plant.

More on great drought-tolerant plants ideal for roofs.

The illusion of a garden
The illusion of a garden


In a tray

Irish moss and Scotch moss combine with lady's slipper orchids (Paphiopedilum) to form the illusion of a garden.

A copper tray catches drips from terra-cotta pots with soft earth-tone glazes.

Copper tray: 14 inches square; $26 from Smith & Hawken (800/981-9888). Terra-cotta pots: $16 - $50 from Bluestone Main (707/765-2024).


A miniature green roof
A miniature green roof


On a birdfeeder

This easy-to-assemble birdeeder is the perfect place to plant a miniature green roof. Groundcovers like moss, ivy, thyme, and small sedums will flourish in the shallow depth of the feeders' roof.

Simply remove the seat
Simply remove the seat


In a chair

This plant stand was once a chair.

The project is easy to complete: Simply remove the seat, find a pot that fits, and paint the frame a bright, fun color.

More on turning garage-sale finds into garden art



An instant sculpture
An instant sculpture


In glass

Plant a tiny cactus or bromeliad in a glass vase and you have an instant sculpture. The only additional materials you need are some polished stones and a small container.

The seashore in a pot
The seashore in a pot


In a mini beach

If you yearn for the beach but live miles inland, you can re-create the look easily in a pot.

You'll need a low, wide pot, potting soil, 3 small, slow-growing plants, sand, and a few small beachy items (like driftwood).

Espalier a fig tree
Espalier a fig tree


Behind a bench

Homeowner and artist Michael Shemchuck created this look on a small patio by growing a young espaliered fig against a dark exterior wall.

The bench is really a metal-framed daybed.


An underwater feel
An underwater feel


On rocky ground

Jeff Moore, owner of Solana Succulents nursery, created this scene at the Quail Botanical Gardens in Encinitas, California.

To get an underwater feel, he stacked lava rocks and planted succulents that mimic marine plants and creatures.

Create your own succulent-heavy, underwater-themed garden


This would make a great gift
This would make a great gift


In an ornament

This tiny terrarium would make a great gift. The 5-inch globe contains its own little garden, which your special someone can marvel over (while thinking of you) every day.

Plants are included. $25; floragrubbgardens.com.

Not your typical houseplants
Not your typical houseplants


On a coffee table

While not your typical houseplants, a trio of potted miniature water plants look unbelievably lush displayed on a coffee table.


A new use for old bourbon barrels
A new use for old bourbon barrels


In a parking lot

Like a lot of good chefs, Mark Williams grows his own herbs for his kitchen.

He liked having a fresh herb supply on hand so much he asked the company for permission to take over an unused parking lot to install a full-fledged garden.

Everything is in old bourbon barrels.

Find out what plants might work well in your small space, based on your climate zone. And if you don't know which region you're in, look up your climate zone here.