Common long-blooming perennials include daisies, coneflowers and daylilies. Grasses and fescues also can flourish in compact spaces. From tall, billowy types to flat green turf, grasses are a relatively carefree alternative to flowers. For the culinary-minded, herbs can be very attractive and quite prolific. Since some herbs grow in a more compact shape and others are taller and leggier, mixed containers should feature the taller ones like dill and basil at the center with lower-growing ones like parsley in the foreground.
Herbs tend to be easier to grow from seed than other plants.
Many people enjoy lining kitchen windowsills with them, just snipping pieces as needed while they cook. Whether you choose to raise flowers or food, it is wise to keep in mind your space limits, color scheme, and the heights and girths of the plants you like. Designing and arranging plants can be one of the most rewarding aspects of gardening. It is here that you can truly bring out your individual artistry. An urban garden, while it may be small, is a blank canvas.