So you are looking for small outdoor plants? If so, surely you are looking for species with very specific characteristics, such as that they can be in full sun or withstand low temperatures, right? Well, you are in luck, since you are not asking for the impossible.
In this special I'm going to recommend seven of these little plants that you can grow both in pot and in the ground. And to make it easier for you to have them perfect, I will also offer you a series of tips on their care.
Altea or Rose of Syria
Known as hibiscus syriacus, it's beautiful deciduous shrubby plant (that is, it loses its leaves in winter and sprouts again in spring) that reaches a height of no more than 3 meters. It produces large flowers in a wide variety of colors, including eye, pink, white, and purple. It looks great both in the garden and in a pot decorating the terrace, so the only question you will have to ask yourself is: what color do I want your flowers to be? 😉
Then you just have to put it in an area where it gets direct sunlight, make sure that the land is not dry for a long time and enjoy it. As for frost, it supports up to -10ºC, which is very interesting, don't you think?
Cactus
Mammillaria swinglei
If you are looking for plants that are resistant to the sun, you won't find any better than cacti. These plants succulents of the botanical family Cactaceae have evolved to withstand the direct impact of sunlight. There are many species, some columnar like the Pachycereus pringlei or Echinopsis terscheckii, others globular like the Echinocactus grussonii or Ferocactus stainesii. There are also some that produce beautiful flowers such as Rebutia or Mammillaria.
What do you need? Indeed: direct sun. But you also have to water them two or three times a week in summer and a little less the rest of the year, a sandy-type soil that drains the water very well, and a regular supply of fertilizer. It is also very important to protect them against hail and intense frosts.
Geraniums
Geraniums are one of the most widely cultivated outdoor plants. And, who can resist its beauty? As they are also very cheap, you can have not one, but a few specimens decorating the patio, terrace or garden. There are different varieties: zonal, pansy geranium (Pelargonium grandiflorum), ivy (hybrids of pelargonium peltatum), with the smell of lemon (Pelargonium crispum) and the commons (Pelargonium x hortorum).
They are also very easy to care for, since they only need to be in a very bright area, a substrate that drains water well and frequent waterings, especially in summer where it may be necessary to water three to four times a week. And, as if that were not enough, they resist weak frosts down to -2ºC.
hebes
All the hebes or veronica as they are also called, they are about evergreen shrubs that produce very pretty lilac inflorescences. Originally from New Zealand, they have a medium growth rate, which will allow you to have it under control at all times since if a stem grows excessively, you could prune it without problems towards the end of winter.
If we talk about their care, they have to be protected from direct sun, and watered regularly avoiding puddles. Sadly, it is a bit sensitive to cold, but we have included it in the list as it can be placed near taller plants to protect it. A) Yes, It could be had outside all year round even if the temperature dropped to -2ºC..
Ivy
The ivy, whose scientific name is Hedera helixIs a very fast growing vine It is used to cover floors, walls, lattices, ... Although it must be controlled by pruning at the end of winter, it is a plant with which you can enjoy a lot and almost without having to think about anything, neither in the cold nor in the hot.
In order for it to grow well, it is advisable to put it in semi-shade, especially if you live in an area where the sun is very intense (such as in the Mediterranean), but you should know that it also adapts to direct sunlight. What's more, you will only have to water it once or twice a week. Resists up to -6ºC.
Lavender
We have talked a lot in the blog about the lavender essence , And is that it is a magnificent plant ideal for all types of gardens, even those with low or no maintenance. It produces very characteristic lilac inflorescences, which make it a very interesting sub-shrub to grow both in pots and in the garden.
Y, What do you need to be well cared for? Very little, actually: a lot of sun, watering from time to time, and a substrate or soil that drains well. For the rest, you will not have to worry about anything, not even about the cold since it holds up to -4ºC.
Sempervivum
The Sempervivum are non-cacti succulents (or succulent plants) that grow into rosettes of fleshy, triangular leaves. They are widely used to cover small surfaces, and even to create great compositions of succulents. They grow to a height of about 3-4 centimeters, and produce small but very decorative white or yellow flowers.
They are one of the easiest succulents to care for: they have to be put in an area with semi-shade, water allowing the substrate to dry between waterings and protect themselves a little from hail.
Do you know any other small outdoor plants that are hardy?