The cottage garden design is a free spirit, casual, eclectic mix of flowers, vines, bushes and even edibles. Anyone fortunate enough to have a grandma living in a rural setting most likely knows what a cottage garden, sometimes called country garden, looks like. Perfect for the budget gardener, it can be added onto throughout each season. The best thing about the cottage garden: It’s the envy of the neighborhood and seeds, cuttings, and expertise can be shared generously which encourages camaraderie among neighbors.
Cottage Garden Design Characteristics
Cottage gardens do share some common characteristics: Paths never run straight, plantings are never in straight, neat rows or geometric blocks. It’s a potpourri of many different plants. Plants grow freely between the cracks of flagstone paths, like sweet alyssum, or perennial herbs such as creeping thyme or mint.
Country gardens started out as peasant gardens long ago which means they’re very inexpensive to grow. The cottage gardener stays away from high maintenance plants which will look out of place in this design. Visit any country or cottage garden to see how lush they grow. Plantings are made as close together as possible and not too evenly. Heirloom flowers lend themselves well to the country garden and are hardy as well. Let the flowers ripen and go to seed if re-seeders are wanted, or trim spent blooms immediately if they aren’t desired. Good organic soil is best so work in as much organic compost as possible.
It’s not uncommon to see a vegetable garden hidden within the cottage garden whether it’s in the front or back yard. Tomato plants, squash, onions, garlic, beans, any vegetable can be grown within this space. Plantings of marigolds, onions, and garlic will deter unwanted insects.
Novice gardeners may want to start off with the following easy to grow flowers and plants:
These are but a few plants that work well. There are many others. Every gardener should check with their local nursery to see what plants do best in their region. Country gardens can take on any form. They are colorful, relaxed and fun to grown. Gardeners don’t need a degree in color theory to have a beautiful garden that’s the envy of the neighborhood.
The main objective with a cottage garden should be to have fun. This is not a garden that is a chore to be detested. Don’t forget to include some fun architectural details in the garden such as a birdbath, an old rusty gate for vining plants, even old bowling balls. These things can be found at garage sales, on the side of a country road or even other people’s throw-aways. Put a chair and fountain in the garden, come home from work, get an iced tea and sit and admire all the beautiful nature created.
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