Garden inspiration: tiny floral delights

Generally the first impression of a garden or natural area is created by its largest elements, such as shrubs and trees, as well as landmarks, buildings and hard landscaping. But if you look closer, you often find something like a fractal effect, where there is just as much to see at the smaller scale. 

This post shows a few of the tiny plants and flowers I've seen recently. Many of these will grow well in gardens, but are hard to find in nurseries for one reason or another. If enough people keep asking for them, they may just start becoming available! 
This is a Vanilla Lily (Arthropodium sp. B),  which has numerous tiny pink and white
flowers through the spring. They're in flower across Illawarra at present. Image by Emma Rooksby. 
Check out any relatively healthy waterway and you have a fair chance of seeing this native Buttercup (Ranunculus lappaceus) with its cheerful yellow flowers. It's great to grow in ponds in sunny areas. Image by Emma Rooksby.  
This photo doesn't give a good idea of the tininess of the flowers of Native Trailing Speedwell (Veronica plebe).
Tiny size aside, they're a lovely shape and colour and the plant as a whole twines beautifully among larger species. Image by Keith Horton. All rights reserved. 
You can create a native meadow effect using Chickweed (Stellaria flaccida). The flowers are tiny but the plant can spread over quite a large area. This shot was taken at Blackbutt Reserve. Image by Emma Rooksby. 
Who doesn't love an orchid. This little one is a Caladenia (Caladenia alata I think). Unfortunately these, although quite common, are difficult to grow. So if you see  them out in the bush, take the time to admire them there...Image by Emma Rooksby. 
Does your garden contain any miniature wonders? 

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