Not all gardens grow out; many grow up. If you don't have a lot of space on the ground, consider a vertical garden, which allows you to grow plants up a wall or along a structure, like a lattice.

"A vertical garden is like giving your plants a penthouse suite to live in," says Camille Leveque from TheYardable.com. "They can live up high, enjoy the sunshine and have all their little plant friends around them. And the best part is that you don't have to be a land baron to have one, you can have a vertical garden even if you live in a shoebox apartment."

Vertical gardens can be a colorful Instagram backdrop. They can add privacy to a space, and they create visual interest.

"Another reason to plant a vertical garden is if you want to enhance a barren wall or fence with a beautiful green facade," says Aaron Green, founder of EssentialHomeAndGarden.com. "You can even add a vertical garden at the edge of your existing home garden to achieve a wall-to-wall effect."

Vertical gardens can be created in a number of ways, including simply using hooks to hang pots on a wall; growing plants or flowers on a trellis or a hanging structure; or buying a wall pocket planter and filling the plastic or fabric pockets with soil, seedlings or plants. A more expensive option is a living wall system, which is often used commercially, is professionally installed on a wall and includes irrigation and drainage.

*Top Crops

Incorporate a variety of plants to add color and visual interest to your vertical garden. Some plants and flowers really thrive in the format, especially those that are low-maintenance and have shallow root systems.

John Ehrling, president and co-founder of GardenSavvy.com recommends ferns, ivy, succulents, herbs and sedums, explaining that these "grow well in a vertical garden because they are able to cling to surfaces, they are drought tolerant, and can tolerate low light conditions."

Greene recommends growing tomatoes, basil, pole beans, climbing peas and squash in a vertical garden. He encourages home gardeners to consider the growing conditions at their property. For example, ferns are great if you get a lot of sunlight, while succulents or bromeliads do well indoors or anywhere there's not much light.

Salad greens and strawberries can do well in hanging baskets. Leveque suggests planting herbs such as thyme, oregano and rosemary, which add a nice smell to your vertical garden and double as culinary seasonings. Two other options are creeping fig and English ivy, which add color and elegance to your outdoor space. Still, be warned because Leveque says these plants can be a handful and may need a little extra attention.

*Planting Tips

Make sure the wall or fence you're attaching the vertical garden to is stable and can support the weight of what you're growing. Avoid growing plants that are too heavy since they may damage the vertical garden's structure. If your vertical garden is too unsteady, it may fall over, so be sure to secure it for safety.

Vertical gardens can get dry, so remember to give plants adequate watering. After all, they don't retain moisture in the same way horizontally grown plants do. Good drainage is a must as well because you don't want water to pool on the surface, to rot your plantings or to attract flies or other pests. Fertilize the plants as needed but be careful about using too much fertilizer, which can burn the plants' roots.

It's also important to avoid overcrowding the vertical garden since that can lead to competition among the plants for light and nutrients. Make sure you don't use any invasive plants or flowers, which can quickly overtake your vertical garden and may be challenging to remove.

Start small with your vertical garden. Research which plants or flowers will do well and then plant a few. You can add more over time.