Arianne gardens in a small city lot in chilly Minneapolis (Zone 4B) and fills her space with an abundance of beautiful flowers. Even more impressively, she grows many of her plants herself from seed.

Notes of dark red and burgundy combined with gold foliage are repeated many times in this image, making this garden feel unified and well designed. The flowers in the foreground are a beautiful Astilbe (Zones 4–9).

It isn’t just beautiful flowers in Arianne’s garden! This small apple tree is loaded with developing fruit. While many apple trees grow very large, there are also dwarf varieties that can fit easily into a small urban garden.

Each of these masses of plants is multiple containers planted and grouped together, which is a great way to create a whole garden in pots. The bright red door adds a lot to the scene, as does the delicate foliage of a tiger eyes sumac (Rhus typhina ‘Bailtiger’, Zones 4–8) to the left.

The same view, but in the evening. It’s amazing how different plants look in the different light. It’s like a whole new garden!

I love this container—how the warm pink tones of the vinca (Catharanthus roseus, Zones 10–11 or as an annual) echo the pink tones in the variegation of the canna (Canna hybrid, Zones 8–11 or as a tender bulb).

Moss roses (Portulaca grandiflora, Zones 10–11 or as an annual) are usually grown as an annual. They combine beautiful flowers with succulent, drought-tolerant foliage.

Balloon flower (Platycodon grandiflorus, Zones 4–9) is an easy-to-grow perennial with wonderful purple-blue flowers that last over a long period in summer.

Among the beautiful plants behind the great masses of balloon flower, I particularly love the variegated geranium (Pelargonium hybrid, Zones 10–11 or as an annual).

Huge, red hardy hibiscus (Hibiscus hybrid, Zones 5–9) shows off in the summer garden.

A little path lined with beautiful plants leads to the wonderful garden beyond!

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