What plants complement a small garden table set?

When we talk about a small garden table set, we are referring to our 2-seater bistros and 4-seater sets.

They will range in size from a 60 cm diameter bistro table like our Eve to a 120 cm round patio dining table like our Alice. Anything bigger in terms of table size and seating numbers and we are into our mid-sized 6-seater sets.

We often talk about the importance of planting when looking to make our furniture look nice when in situ in your outside space. That’s both on the table itself in the form of a centrepiece and around it with planters and your wider outdoor area.

Even if you only have a small space, which is likely if you are shopping for or have purchased a 2 or 4-seater, then planting will make a huge difference for both those who use the garden and the environment.

Plants provide food and shelter for a wide range of wildlife. Your small garden, patio, terrace or balcony can be a haven for bees, butterflies, birds, and other creatures. They will help to improve air quality by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen, preventing soil erosion, and regulating the local climate.

At Lazy Susan, we’re big advocates for plants and gardening as a therapeutic activity.

Research has proven that it can reduce stress and improve mood. It also provides us with an opportunity for some fresh air, me-time, and a little exercise.   

Gardening can also help us to appreciate and connect with the natural world, but most importantly, it just helps to make our outside spaces look more inviting and joyful to spend some quality time with friends and family.

The problem with small garden furniture sets and/or small outside areas is that it can be difficult to get the balance right and find the right plant types to complement the space itself, how we like to spend time in it, and that fit with our lifestyle and skillset.

The key is to choose plants that will enhance the aesthetic of the space and your outdoor furniture without overwhelming it. Before you buy and plant, do a little research, and look for varieties that are the right size, colour, and texture, with maintenance levels you’re comfortable with.

To help get you started, the Lazy Susan team have selected our favourite varieties to complement our small garden furniture sets.

1. Compact Flowering Plants

The great thing about compact flowering plants is they pack a punch in terms of colour and fragrance but they don’t need much space. And depending on what you need, you can choose varieties that will stay small and thrive in containers or beds.

Some of the Lazy Susan team’s favourite varieties to pair with our smaller sets include:

1. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
   Compact, fragrant, and great for attracting pollinators.

2. Marigolds (Tagetes)
   Bright yellow or orange blooms that are perfect for edging borders.

3. Calibrachoa (Million Bells)
   These small, vibrant flowers bloom profusely in various colours, making them perfect for brightening up a table.

4. Pansies (Viola)
   Small, colourful flowers that bloom for months.

5. Petunias (Petunia x hybrida)
   Great for hanging baskets or tabletop pots, they offer a variety of colours (shown above).

2. Edible & Decorative Herbs

Herbs are the perfect low-maintenance, practical, choice for complementing a small garden table. They look great in a pot as a centrepiece, in planters around the table, or in beds, and they bring a wonderful texture and scent to your outdoor living area.

We like to plant varieties that you can use in our cooking, and some of our small space faves include:

1. Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)
   A compact, fragrant herb that also produces beautiful flowers.

2. Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
   A great kitchen garden herb that is perfect near your table for bringing a splash of lush greenery.

3. Mint (Mentha)
   It is best in pots on the tabletop to keep it compact but brings a wonderfully refreshing scent to your garden (pictured above).

4. Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)
   Adds delicate purple flowers along with its culinary versatility.

5. Creeping Rosemary (Prostratus)
   This low-growing rosemary has aromatic, evergreen foliage and small, pale blue flowers.

3. Drought-Tolerant Plants

Drought-resistant gardening has been one of the big trends of the last year or so. You might not think we would need to looking out the window today (cats and dogs) but as our summers get drier, drought-tolerant plants are becoming a sustainable choice.

They are also a great choice for low-maintenance, small spaces, and will add interesting textures and shapes to your garden table. Some of our current faves include:

1. Sedum (Stonecrop)
   Compact and highly drought-tolerant with beautiful leaves.

2. Sempervivum (Hens & Chicks)
   Low-growing and compact, they thrive in pots and as ground cover.

3. Aloe Vera
   Add height and structure, while still being compact for small spaces.

4. Echeveria
   Rosette-shaped succulents that come in various colours and are perfect for tabletop pots (above).

5. Eryngium planum (Sea Holly)
   Hardy, thistle-like flowers that have a wonderful metallic blue sheen.

4. Compact Climbing Plants

If you have a wall, fence, trellis, or garden structure such as a pergola near your small garden table set, then climbing plants are a great way to create a cosy, enclosed feel. They can provide a natural screen to shade you from the sun or prying eyes or to cover up a boring brick wall.

1. Clematis
   This compact climber offers large, colourful flowers and is a big fave here at Lazy Susan HQ (shown in the photo above).

2. Ivy (Hedera helix)
   A low-maintenance evergreen that needs to be kept in check but is ideal for softening hard edges.

3. Sweet Pea (Lathyrus odoratus)
   Produces fragrant and colourful flowers that are perfect for small trellises or climbing supports.

4. Rosa ‘Masquerade’ (Dwarf Climbing Rose)
   Produces abundant clusters of multicoloured blooms in a host of beautiful colours.

5. Jasminum officinale ‘Fiona Sunrise’ (Jasmine)
   With compact and fragrant flowers in summer, its golden-yellow foliage adds interest throughout the year.

6. Akebia quinata (Chocolate Vine)
   A beautiful climber with chocolate-scented purple flowers in spring, followed by decorative fruit.

5. Small Ornamental Grasses

Ornamental grasses planted around a small garden table are a great way to add movement and texture without overwhelming your outside space.

1. Fountain Grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides)
   A compact, tufty grass that is great for adding a soft texture.

2. Blue Fescue (Festuca glauca)
   A striking, low-growing blue-grey grass that’s ideal for edging borders.

3. Carex (Sedge)
   A compact grass that thrives in partial shade and delivers a more formal look.

4. Dwarf Fountain Grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides aka ‘Little Bunny’)
   A small fountain grass that forms in compact mounds with soft, fluffy flower heads in late summer.

5. Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa macra)
   A beautiful ornamental grass that has cascading, arching leaves in bright greens or golds.

6. Versatile Container Plants

Containers are great for versatility around your garden table and help to keep the space dynamic and easy to freshen up.

1. Dwarf Citrus Trees (Citrus x macrocarpa)
   If you have enough sun, they bring a Mediterranean vibe with small fruits.

2. Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum aka ‘Dissectum’)
   Ideal for pots, they provide delicate, arching foliage and vibrant autumnal hues.

3. Boxwood (Buxus)
   These small, sculpted evergreens are great for creating structure or defining space near the table (shown above).

4. Dwarf Hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla)
   Compact varieties provide lush blooms and will thrive in containers in partial shade.

5. Erysimum (Wallflowers)
   Easy to maintain they produce clusters of purple flowers almost year-round and will thrive in containers placed in full sun.

7. Shade-Loving Plants

<Insert Photo and Add Shown Above>

A lot of smaller outdoor spaces, especially in more urban areas, can find their garden tables placed in a more shaded area. Not a problem, opt for plants that will thrive without full sun.

1. Hostas
   Great for adding texture and colour, with their variegated they will thrive in a shady corner or on a covered patio (pictured above).

2. Ferns 
   Ferns such as Asplenium or Dryopteris have delicate fronds that will bring a lush, tropical feel to your shady spot.

3. Heuchera (Coral Bells)
   Known for their vibrant foliage, they range in colour from lime greens to deep purples and silvery hues.

4. Astilbe
   Feathery, upright flowers that provide colour, and height, and will thrive in shade.

5. Tiarella (Foamflower)
   Attractive lobed leaves, often with dark markings, that produce airy spikes of tiny white or pink flowers.

Our final thoughts…

When choosing what to plant to best complement your small garden table set, think about scale and proportion. Work with the size of the table area and choose plants that won't overwhelm the dining/seating area and wider patio space.

Think about the amount of sunlight your garden receives, and select plant varieties that are suitable for the specific conditions on and around the table.

Select colours and textures that will create a visually appealing arrangement, whether that’s working to a colour scheme or looking to create the right pop.

And don't forget about maintenance too. Consider how much time you have to care for your plants.

We like to seasonally rotate the planting on and around our garden table area to keep things dynamic all year round. For example, we might place a nice pot of pansies in the centre of the table spring, and then replace with petunias come summer.

By selecting a combination of compact, colourful, and low-maintenance plants, you can enhance your garden table area and create a wonderfully inviting outdoor space that is a joy to spend time in.

If you have one of our small garden table sets in your outside area, then we would love to see a few photos for our Do Some Good charity campaign.

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