4 Stylish Miniature Gardens You Can Grow Anywhere

“Who needs a large garden when you can plant a landscape in a single pot, or an entire ecosystem in a jelly jar?” writes author Holly Farrell in her new book Miniature Garden Grower (Mitchell Beazley, $15). She should know—Farrell studied horticulture at London’s Royal Horticultural Society and worked as a gardener on a private estate. In the book, she takes us through how to grow five different styles of small-scale gardens, from terrariums to vertical creations, and for each design, she breaks down the ingredients, the planting method, and any required maintenance. It might sound intimidating, but the steps are simple enough for kids (and therefore those lacking a green thumb) to follow. Here are four of Farrell’s prettiest miniature gardens; check out the book for how to make them.

A Summer Meadow

Farrell suggests starting this garden in springtime and placing it on a doorstep or terrace “for a nostalgic touch of the countryside.” All you’ll need is a large, shallow container, some soil, and your favorite annual flower seeds, such as cornflowers and poppies.

A Miniature Pond

“Although a miniature pond will be too small for fish or waterfowl to use, it will still provide valuable space for insects,” writes Farrell. For the best results, you’ll want to place three types of plants in the water: species that live at the edges of ponds, such as thrushes; aquatic plants like water lilies; and floating oxygenators, such as hair grass.

An Herb Garden

Farrell recommends using cinder blocks, rather than a garden pot, to give you more vertical space to work with. “This herb garden would fit easily against a sunny wall or along one side of a balcony for a ready supply of fresh herbs to use in the kitchen,” she writes.

A Teapot Garden

There’s no more perfect place for an herbal tea garden than a teapot. Plant mint, chamomile, and other herbs; a few sprigs will be enough for a cozy cup on a chilly day, she writes.