Most people easily recognize the showy plants which they see around the landscapes and gardens as they go about their daily travels. Less noticed are the small size plants. These diminutive jewels are often passed over because they are so small in stature. Yet, these plants often have such captivating features that there will always be a ollowing for them. Rock gardening fans will recognize them immmediately, but the fascination does not end there. Succulent growers and hosta fanatics will also know of these minis and so will a large number of gardeners, whether or not they recognize that they actually fancy these gems of plants. So often their size makes us quickly pass over them and miss their attributes. But setting them off somehow, makes us pause and take notice. This is typically done in rock gardening with a raised bed of some sort, and for most of us, the simpler solution is to grow them in containers so they can be closer to eye level and better scrutiny. Small stature does not necessarily mean low interest in foliage or flowers. More often than not, these have very interesting foliages and flowers. Think of miniature hostas. They get lost when grouped with their bigger kin, but when grown as specimens in small containers, they really shine! They actually do look like tiny gems of plants! And succulents, while many seem boring as los to the ground plants in the garden landscape, when set off in tiny pots so they show up individually, their geometry of foliage carriage and colors and often hairyness brings them to new interesting heights for all to enjoy. The same for any of these small mini plants! And they make perfect sense for all of us, especially those with limited gardening space. These same plants can be tiny jewels on a desk, or a shelf. In Japan, they were favored as mini bonsai and collectables over the centuries. Obvscure things like Rohdea japonica, species Cymbidiums, Ardisia, etc. were all collected, cherished and any new and different form was eagerly added to a growing collection. The same holds true for gardeners everywhere.
Two breakdowns in the catagory of these plants makes growing them easier. Think sun or shade. Plants from shady areas will appreciate more moisture(with good drainage) and less sun on their leaves. Plants from sunnier habitats will like more light. Many of these plants will tolerate more or less sun or shade, and that is just a bit of trial and error when culturing them for yourself. Ferns, hostas, saxifrages, acorus, heuchera, heucharella, species cyclamen, pleiones, decientra, all like shadier environments and will associate nicely together if you plant a mixed container, or group them individually together.
Sunnier species (can also include heuchera, aeonium(the small ones), echevieria, sedum(the small ones), sempervivum, cotula, veronica(the low growing ones), mimulusr(the short species) bulb species like alliums, freesia, crocus, muscari, babiana, sparaxis, dwarf ivies, rock ferns, very miniature cvs. of many shrub species and so many more can be included here. And do not forget the great group of herbs. Many of them are sun loving and low and compact, nicely grouping/associating with other sun loving species.
With all of these, watering is very important on a regular basis. Indoors it is less demanding but still important. Drainage is also important. Water well and thoroughly, but let excess drain away, not stand in a saucer under the container. If you have a container without drainage holes, be a little more careful with watering. or just simply insert another smaller conatiner inside the other and add some gravel at the bottom so the smaller container sits atio the mound of gravel and can let excess water not collect around the pot inside the larger one. (if it does, simple remove the smaller container, then drain off the excess water, then place the small ot back into the larger one.
