A busy lifestyle doesn’t have to come at the expense of a stylish garden. With some shrewd plant know-how and careful planning, you can enjoy a gorgeous yard that is alive with color, wildlife and seasonal drama. And the truth is, you only really need five key plants to fill a small yard.

Like so many small garden ideas, curating the perfect planting recipe is a matter of stepping back and looking at what really works in your outside space, no matter how big and small.

We spoke to some of our favorite horticultural experts to