There are many reasons you may want to find small flowering plants. They do well in planters to fill in between taller flowers and are nice for those small office spaces where you want a plant but don't have much room. Flowering plants are typically considered small if they are under a foot tall.

Carpet Bugleweed

Ajuga reptans, the carpet bugleweed or common bugleweed, is from the mint family. It is a fast-growing flowering perennial that does well in shade. It gets 6 to 10 inches tall; the dark green basal leaves are 3 to 5 inches long. Flowers vary in color according to cultivar, are mostly blue or purple and are half an inch long. Carpet bugleweed should be planted in partial to full shade. Well-drained soil with plenty of moisture is optimal. Propagate by summer cuttings, seed or stolon separation. Division every two to three years helps reduce crowding.

Pansy

Viola x Wittrockiana, the pansy or ladies-delight, is from the violet family. It is a shade-loving perennial grown as an annual and is good for containers. It gets 4 to 10 inches tall, forming small mounds of deep green leaves and flowers 1 to 4 inches that come in many colors. It's resistant to light frost. Plant a pansy in any soil in sun to partial shade. Propagate via cuttings or by seed. The pansy is "durable and pest free," according to floridata.com.

Common Periwinkle

Vinca minor, the common periwinkle or creeping myrtle, is from the dogbane family. A fast-growing perennial, It is easy to grow and good for containers. Flowers are on shoots 4 to 8 inches tall in various colors. Blooms appear in spring and also at some times during summer. Leaves are evergreen and 2 inches long. Plant a common periwinkle in any soil in shade or full sun. Moist soil conditions are best. Propagate via division.

Primrose

Primula vulgaris, the primrose or common primrose, is from the primrose family. It is an evergreen perennial grown as an annual and is good for indoor use and containers. It gets 6 inches tall. The wrinkled leaves are 10 inches long, and the tubular flowers, an inch wide, come clusters of 3 to 25. Most primroses are hues of yellow, but some cultivars are other colors. Plant a primrose in partial shade or filtered light in moisture-retentive soil. Never put in full sun or in waterlogged soil. Propagate via seed, stem cuttings or division.