Trees, shrubs, vines and annuals and perennials are some of the plants that could be included in a small garden. Small trees commonly used in Illinois include apple serviceberry, amur maple, eastern redbud, Chinese dogwood, Japanese tree lilac, Washington hawthorn, flowering crabapples and nannyberry. These trees mature to a height below 25 feet. Climbing vines add interest and work well as a screen, divider or barrier. They can also be used as groundcover on steep banks where grasses do not grow well.
Vines can climb with the help of wires, trellises, arbors and bricks.
Vines should not be used on wood framed homes because the tendrils will eventually break down the wood. Vines for small gardens might include bittersweet, clematis, honeysuckle, silver fleece flower, Virginia creeper, wisteria, Boston ivy, English ivy and winter creeper. For more information about plants for small gardens, contact your local University of Illinois Extension office.