Every plant in the Small Space Courtyard Collection collection is chosen to suit small courtyards. Add a few that share your conditions and group them for the strongest effect.
Small Space Courtyard Collection
Small gardens reward restraint. These compact, container-friendly plants bring greenery and flower to courtyards without overwhelming the space.
-
Grevillea 'Robyn Gordon' · Grevillea 'Robyn Gordon' · from $4.50 One of Australia's most popular garden hybrids — a low-maintenance native shrub producing red toothbrush flowers almost year-round to feed the birds. -
African Milk Tree · Euphorbia trigona An upright branching succulent with three-sided green ridged stems lined with small paired spines and teardrop leaves, exuding an irritant milky sap. A fast architectural feature, often mistaken for a cactus. -
Agapanthus · Agapanthus praecox Spheres of blue or white flowers on tall stems above strappy clumps — a tough, drought-proof mass-planting staple. Choose sterile forms, as the species can self-seed into bushland. -
Albany Pitcher Plant · Cephalotus follicularis A rare carnivorous plant from south-west Western Australia, forming a low rosette of intricate ribbed, lidded pitchers that flush deep red in good light. A prized, slow-growing collector's species. -
Alocasia Polly · Alocasia × amazonica Dramatic arrow-shaped leaves of deep green edged and veined in silvery white. A striking but demanding aroid that loves warmth and humidity. -
Aloe Vera · Aloe vera A clumping rosette of thick fleshy grey-green leaves with toothed margins, filled with the soothing gel long used on burns, and sending up tall spikes of tubular yellow flowers. A practical pot staple. -
Alphonse Anderson Azalea · Rhododendron indica 'Alphonse Anderson' A favourite indica azalea with large rose-pink blooms variably striped and flecked with white, sometimes throwing solid sports. Showy in shaded beds. All parts contain grayanotoxins and are toxic to pets and people. -
Alpine Strawberry · Fragaria vesca 'Alpine' A compact wild strawberry bearing small, intensely fragrant, sweet berries through the warmer months and rarely producing runners. Tolerant of light shade, it makes a charming edging or pot plant that crops over a long season. -
Arizona Sun Blanket Flower · Gaillardia 'Arizona Sun' An award-winning, compact blanket flower bearing red daisies tipped with golden-yellow all season. Heat- and drought-hardy, flowering in its first year and loved by bees and butterflies. -
Arrowhead Vine · Syngonium podophyllum A versatile climber or trailer with arrow-shaped leaves in green, cream and pink shades. Quick-growing and adaptable, easily kept bushy with a trim. -
Aussie Crawl Fan Flower · Scaevola 'Aussie Crawl' A vigorous prostrate fan flower forming a dense mat covered in mauve-blue fan-shaped flowers through the warmer months. Excellent for groundcover, banks and hanging pots. -
Avonview French Lavender · Lavandula dentata 'Avonview' A vigorous toothed-leaf French lavender flowering for most of the year in mild climates, topped with showy purple bracts. Tough, coastal-tolerant and quick to establish. -
Baby Bear Camellia · Camellia 'Baby Bear' A miniature, very slow-growing hybrid with tiny leaves and small single pale-pink blooms. Naturally compact and bun-shaped, it is perfect for small pots, rockeries and bonsai. -
Baby Rubber Plant · Peperomia obtusifolia A compact, easy-care plant with thick, glossy rounded leaves that store water. Pet-safe and forgiving, it suits small spaces and tabletops. -
Basil 'Purple' · Ocimum basilicum 'Purple' A striking basil with deep burgundy-purple leaves and a mild, clove-like flavour. As ornamental as it is useful, lovely in salads and for infusing vinegars. -
Basil 'Sweet Genovese' · Ocimum basilicum 'Sweet Genovese' The classic Italian basil, with large, fragrant green leaves essential for pesto and pasta. Loves warmth and sun; pinch flowers to keep it leafy and productive. -
Basil 'Thai' · Ocimum basilicum 'Thai' An aromatic basil with purple stems, narrow green leaves and a distinctive anise-clove flavour. A staple of South-East Asian cooking that thrives in heat. -
Bean 'Dwarf Snake' · Phaseolus vulgaris 'Dwarf Snake' A compact bush bean bearing long, slender, stringless green pods with no need for staking. Quick from seed and ideal for small gardens and pots. -
Beatrice Emily Camellia · Camellia sasanqua 'Beatrice Emily' A sasanqua bearing peony-form blooms that open lavender-pink and pale to near-white at the centre, on a neat upright bush. A reliable hedging and feature camellia. -
Beetroot 'Detroit' · Beta vulgaris 'Detroit' The benchmark beetroot, with smooth, round, deep-red roots of sweet, tender flesh. Dependable and adaptable, equally good roasted, pickled or grated raw. -
Beetroot 'Golden' · Beta vulgaris 'Golden' A sweet, mild beetroot with glowing golden-orange flesh that does not bleed when cut. Gentle in flavour and beautiful roasted, with edible golden-veined leaves. -
Big Red Zonal Geranium · Pelargonium x hortorum 'Big Red' Bold ball-shaped heads of vivid scarlet flowers smother this zonal geranium for most of the year over rounded, faintly aromatic leaves. Sun-loving and drought-hardy, perfect for pots; toxic to pets. -
Billy Buttons · Craspedia globosa A clumping native perennial sending up slender stems topped with perfectly round golden flower balls in spring and summer. A quirky, long-lasting cut flower beloved by florists. -
Bird of Paradise · Strelitzia reginae Famous for its crane-like orange and blue flowers perched above blue-green paddle leaves. A bold sun-lover that flowers best when potbound in a bright spot. -
Bird's Nest Bromeliad · Nidularium innocentii A shade-loving rosette of dark, often maroon-backed leaves whose centre forms a nest of bright red bracts cradling white flowers. Excellent groundcover bromeliad for deep shade under trees. -
Bird's Nest Fern · Asplenium nidus Broad, glossy, undivided fronds unfurl from a central rosette like a leafy nest. Pet-safe and easy-going, it tolerates lower light than most ferns. -
Birthday Candles Banksia · Banksia spinulosa 'Birthday Candles' A compact dwarf banksia with fine green foliage and gold and burgundy candle flowers through autumn and winter. A neat, bird-attracting feature for small gardens. -
Bishop's Cap Cactus · Astrophytum myriostigma A distinctive spineless cactus shaped like a star of broad ribs, dusted with tiny white woolly scales over a grey-green body, opening yellow flowers from its crown. An elegant, geometric collector's plant. -
Black Mondo Grass · Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Nigrescens' A striking strappy-leaf groundcover forming spreading tufts of near-black arching foliage, with small mauve flowers and black berries. A dramatic contrast plant for edging, pots and pebble gardens. -
Black Rose Aeonium · Aeonium arboreum 'Zwartkop' A standout cultivar with large rosettes of glossy near-black burgundy leaves on branching stems, the colour deepening in full sun before yellow flower cones appear. A dramatic dark feature plant. -
Blue Barrel Cactus · Ferocactus glaucescens A handsome barrel cactus with a powdery blue-green ribbed body armed with golden-yellow spines, opening a ring of pale yellow flowers at its crown in summer. A striking, slow sculptural specimen. -
Blue Chalksticks · Curio talinoides var. mandraliscae A spreading groundcover succulent of upright finger-like blue-grey leaves with a chalky bloom, forming a cool silvery carpet ideal for mass planting and erosion-prone slopes. Tough and water-wise. -
Blue Diamond Rhododendron · Rhododendron 'Blue Diamond' A dwarf, small-leafed rhododendron smothered in clusters of violet-blue flowers in spring on a compact, twiggy bush. Ideal for rockeries and pots. All parts contain grayanotoxins and are toxic to pets and people. -
Blue Fescue 'Elijah Blue' · Festuca glauca 'Elijah Blue' A compact evergreen tufting grass forming tidy hemispherical mounds of fine steel-blue foliage. Excellent for edging, rockeries and containers in well-drained, sunny spots. -
Blue Flax Lily 'Little Jess' · Dianella caerulea 'Little Jess' A compact, clumping strap-leaved flax lily with airy sprays of blue starry flowers followed by glossy purple berries. A tough, low-care mass-planting and border grass for sun or shade. -
Blue Flax-Lily · Dianella caerulea A clumping strappy native with starry blue flowers followed by glossy violet berries that draw birds. Tough, tidy and at home in mass plantings or pots. -
Blue Rug Juniper · Juniperus horizontalis 'Wiltonii' A flat, ground-hugging juniper forming a dense silver-blue carpet that trails attractively over walls and rocks. One of the best conifer groundcovers for slopes, banks and erosion control. -
Blue Spruce Stonecrop · Sedum rupestre A hardy creeping groundcover succulent with needle-like blue-green foliage resembling tiny spruce shoots, lighting up with flat heads of bright yellow star flowers in summer. Tough and frost-tolerant. -
Blue Star Juniper · Juniperus squamata 'Blue Star' A compact, slow-growing dwarf juniper forming a neat mound of dense, silvery steel-blue needles. An outstanding small feature for rockeries, pots and the front of borders. -
Bluebell Creeper · Billardiera heterophylla A dainty Western Australian native twiner hung with nodding clusters of bright blue bell flowers through the warmer months, followed by blue berries. Pretty and hardy, but a weed risk outside its native range. -
Blueberry · Vaccinium corymbosum A productive berry bush that also earns its keep ornamentally with white spring bells and fiery autumn foliage. Needs acidic soil — ideal for a dedicated pot of ericaceous mix. -
Blush Pink Nandina · Nandina domestica 'Blush Pink' A dwarf nandina prized for soft pink to coral new growth in the warmer months, deepening to red in winter. A colourful, low-care choice for pots and edging. -
Blushing Bromeliad · Neoregelia carolinae A broad rosette of glossy green strap leaves whose centre flushes brilliant crimson as the plant prepares to flower. A reliable, showy bromeliad for shaded patios and tropical gardens. -
Bob Hope Camellia · Camellia japonica 'Bob Hope' A celebrated japonica with very large, deep blackish-red semi-double blooms accented by a striking boss of golden stamens. Slow and upright, it makes a dramatic shaded feature or cut flower. -
Bonsai Baby Camellia · Camellia sasanqua 'Bonsai Baby' A dwarf, dense sasanqua with small leaves and miniature formal-double red blooms, naturally compact and slow. Excellent for small pots, low edging and bonsai. -
Boston Fern · Nephrolepis exaltata A classic feathery fern with arching fronds that spill beautifully from a hanging basket. Pet-safe and lush, it thrives with humidity and consistent moisture. -
Bower Wattle · Acacia cognata 'Limelight' · from $18.95 A soft, weeping dwarf wattle with fine cascading lime-green foliage that forms a neat mounding feature. Popular in containers and modern landscapes for its graceful fountain-like form. -
Brasco Violet Native Daisy · Brachyscome 'Brasco Violet' A compact mounding native daisy smothered in violet-purple flowers over a very long season. Hardy and free-flowering, ideal for borders, pots and bee-attracting plantings. -
Breeze Flax Lily · Dianella caerulea 'Breeze' A fine-leaved flax lily forming a soft fountain of bright green foliage with blue flowers and purple berries. Hardy and versatile for borders and mass plantings. -
Brigitta Blueberry · Vaccinium corymbosum 'Brigitta' A late-season highbush blueberry with large, firm, sweet-tart berries and excellent shelf life. Needs acidic, moist, free-draining soil and rewards cool-climate gardens with bright autumn foliage. -
Brilliant Pink Iceberg Rose · Rosa 'Brilliant Pink Iceberg' A colourful Iceberg sport with cerise-pink blooms often marbled and streaked with cream. Carries the same reliable, disease-resistant and prolific nature as its parent. -
Brushfield's Yellow Camellia · Camellia japonica 'Brushfield's Yellow' A distinctive anemone-form japonica whose creamy-white guard petals surround a dense centre of soft primrose-yellow petaloids. Its unusual colouring makes it a collector's feature and cut flower. -
Buddha's Temple · Crassula 'Buddha's Temple' A curious hybrid forming tight stacked columns of grey-green folded leaves resembling a tiered pagoda, topped with dense heads of tiny white to pink flowers. A prized collector's oddity. -
Bulbine Lily · Bulbine bulbosa A tufted native lily with fleshy grass-like leaves and spikes of fragrant star-shaped yellow flowers in spring. An easy, drought-hardy perennial and bush-food bulb. -
Burgundy Iceberg Rose · Rosa 'Burgundy Iceberg' A sport of Iceberg sharing all its toughness and free-flowering habit, but with rich deep wine-purple blooms that reverse to silvery mauve. Striking massed or as a hedge. -
Burgundy Loropetalum · Loropetalum chinense 'Burgundy' A burgundy-leaved fringe flower with deep wine foliage smothered in spidery hot-pink blooms in spring and again in autumn. A bold contrast shrub for hedges and feature planting. -
Burro's Tail · Sedum morganianum A trailing succulent forming long ropes densely packed with plump blue-green teardrop leaves coated in a chalky bloom, tipped with red-pink flowers in summer. Perfect tumbling from a hanging basket. -
Bush Diamond Kangaroo Paw · Anigozanthos 'Bush Diamond' A compact kangaroo paw with soft pink and white paw flowers over a long season. Hardy and disease-resistant, ideal for containers and bird-attracting borders. -
Bush Flame Kangaroo Paw · Anigozanthos 'Bush Flame' A compact kangaroo paw with bicoloured red and yellow paw flowers over a long season. Disease-resistant and bird-attracting, ideal for pots and sunny borders. -
Bush Gold Kangaroo Paw · Anigozanthos 'Bush Gold' A compact kangaroo paw with bright golden-yellow paw flowers on slender stems through spring and summer. Disease-resistant, bird-attracting and long-flowering.