Mini-shrubs for terrace and balcony

Ideal shrub shapes for small balconies and terraces

When space is tight on a balcony or small terrace, favour plants with a so‑called “ball”, spherical, or upright (fastigiate) form. They take up minimal space for maximum visual and aesthetic interest. Standard shrubs, whose crowns are clipped into spheres or pyramid and conical topiary, are also very practical and take up little room, such as a bay laurel, for example. Other shrubs are interesting for their cultivated varieties, much smaller in stature than typical species.

Don’t forget the dwarf conifers and conifers for pots, slow‑growing, seemingly made especially for small balconies, and of course climbing plants that occupy minimal floor space!

Conversely, avoid all prickly and spiny shrubs on long, narrow balconies where foliage is more likely to be brushed against (agaves, osmanthus, holly, etc.).

♥ My favourites: Euonymus japonicus ‘White Spire’ with remarkable variegated foliage, Pinus mugo ‘Picobello’ retaining an impeccable ball shape and requiring little maintenance, Choisya ‘Little Bee’, a miniature Mexican orange blossom that bears fragrant flowers in spring and again in autumn, and Pittosporum tenuifolium ‘Midget’ with small leaves, adopting a perfect dense spherical habit.

Euonymus japonicus ‘White Spire’, Choisya ‘Little Bee’, Pittosporum tenuifolium ‘Midget’ and Pinus mugo ‘Picobello’

* N.B.: On our online shop, use our “habit” filter to select the following options: upright, spherical and fastigiate.

Mini shrubs by style: exotic balcony, cottage, zen, contemporary

Looking to bring a specific style to your small outdoor space? It may well match your interior décor, or reflect your tastes for escapism! Again, choices are many, with constant attention to integrating ultra-compact plants, mostly evergreen, for year-round visual interest:

For a small exotic balcony or terrace

Invite wonderfully exotic shrubs and plants! Think Phormiums for pots, which remain moderate in growth and some varieties are naturally miniature, dwarf Ginkgos such as ‘Mariken‘ or ‘Troll’ for their attractive spring-to-autumn foliage, or a handsome Pittosporum tobira ‘Nanum’ (and several dwarf varieties of Pittosporum such as ‘Golf Ball‘ or ‘Pot Belly‘).

Again, a stemmed or upright specimen such as a compact Yucca is ideal for a medium-sized balcony (beware its sharp leaves, or prune them!) and will form one of the balcony’s centrepieces. Also consider on a small terrace a mini-pond filled with water lilies or papyrus (Cyperus haspan, for example), always paying attention to these plants’ hardiness.

Also read our articles: Which plants for an exotic balcony? ; 7 dwarf palms for patios, balconies or small gardens ; 7 magnolias for pots, perfect for brightening small spaces and Marion’s advice in How to grow a Ginkgo biloba in a pot?

Phormium cookianum ‘Blondie’, dwarf Pittosporum tobira, Ginkgo biloba ‘Mariken’ and Phomium ‘Bronze Baby’, with striking evolving bronze foliage

For a small zen balcony or terrace

Many very elegant shrubs allow creation of a Japanese-style cocoon, playing with foliage of dwarf Japanese maples, suited to terraces, and the blooms of small rhododendrons and dwarf azaleas. Daphnes also suit this refined universe, as do Skimmia and dwarf sacred bamboo. All these shrubs, deciduous or evergreen, adapt very well to planting in pots.

Also read our articles: Which plants for a zen balcony? ; Dwarf Japanese maples: best varieties ; Dwarf rhododendrons and azaleas: best varieties ; 7 dwarf rhododendrons for small gardens and pots.

Nandina domestica ‘Fire Power’, Skimmia ‘Pink Dwarf’, Acer Dissectum ‘Ornatum’ and Azalea ‘Pink Star’

For a small country-style balcony or terrace

Again, countless charming options await between dwarf butterfly bush, Euonymus and barberry, dwarf Deutzia, dwarf Abelia, not forgetting mini fruit trees or small fruits. For those seeking a rose, consider the smallest, preferably thornless where space is tight, such as ‘Cutie Pie‘, or ‘Galaxy Antares‘, which offer brighter colours. Also consider dwarf hollies, attractive year-round, and Pittosporum or certain shrubby veronicas to structure a small balcony or tiny terrace.

Also read our articles: 8 dwarf butterfly bushes to discover! ; Best dwarf lilacs: for pots or small gardens; 5 dwarf Deutzias ; Small fruits to grow in pots ; Dwarf cherry trees, perfect for balconies, terraces and small spaces.

Buddleia ‘Blue Chip’ (© Denolf), miniature rose ‘Cutie Pie’, Abelia ‘Magic Daydream’ and Ficus carica ‘Figality’

Mini shrubs by use

To create a privacy screen

Keeping a few potted shrubs on your terrace or balcony often serves as a privacy screen in urban settings. Look mainly for evergreen plants that perform well in pots. Choose from small-leaved, compact Pittosporums (‘Midget’, ‘Golf Ball‘) and small eleagnus (Eleagnus ebbingei ‘Compacta’).

Find more planting ideas in our article: 6 plants to create a privacy hedge on your terrace

To create a windbreak

Shrubs are also among plants used to break wind on terraces and balconies exposed to strong winds, such as those facing east, north or west. Opt for sturdy plants, such as clumping Fargesia bamboos (for example Fargesia nitida ‘Volcano’, or Fargesia murielae), compact, with flexible stems that bend without breaking, or Pittosporum tobira, evergreen and weather-resistant.
Also read: Designing a wind-exposed balcony ; 5 shrubs to grow on a windy balcony ; Break the wind on a terrace: plants you need!

Our tips for beautiful dwarf shrubs in pots

Growing with limited soil and requiring specific care, potted shrubs can sometimes, when not pampered, become sparse or spindly…
Some care should be among your priorities on a balcony to keep them in good condition throughout the year:

• Repotting: do it every 2 or 3 years so shrubs, even if generally slow-growing, benefit from fresh potting compost.
• Watering potted plants is essential, regardless of aspect, but of course depends on plant type.
• Fertilising: without nutrient input, foliage often turns yellow. Apply a liquid fertiliser or a more specific slow-release organic fertiliser according to specific needs of your shrubs (fruit-bearing/flowering or not, etc.)

Key points:

• Beside miniature shrubs, add one or two pots of light grasses or flowering perennial plants to provide volume, colour and long-lasting ornamental interest.
• Note that shrubs grown in pots will always reach a smaller size than that shown on information labels, since those sizes are generally given for planting in the ground!