Many gardeners would love to plant an English garden but are reluctant to do so because of the water it requires. After all, England enjoys abundant rainfall, while many parts of the United States have water restrictions at least during the hottest months. Even so, not everyone is ready to adopt the gravel-and-cactus theme of a xeriscape.
An English-style garden is within the reach of any gardener who will make appropriate plant choices. The proposed plants differ from those of the original English garden, but the charming, carefree, look will be the same and the water use will be considerably less.
English Cottage Gardens
Today’s English garden has its roots in the English cottage gardens that evolved out of necessity. Cottage dwellers had to grow their own food and make many of their own medicines, so they packed their tiny yards with as many fruit trees, vegetables and medicinal herbs as possible. Little room was left for flowers, and the few that were planted were fragrant varieties chosen not to make bouquets for milady’s dressing table but to help camouflage the unpleasant, omnipresent odors that stemmed from the period’s harsh living conditions.
If space permits and the climate is suitable, pick a fruit tree or two to act as the anchors of the garden. Then think in terms of layering a wide array of plants from back to front in order of height. Do not worry too much about matching or blending colors; the classic English garden appears unplanned–almost haphazard. The only rule is to group plants according to light and water requirements. These are all drought-resistant plants, but there are some variations in tolerance.
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If there is a fence behind the garden spot, plant climbing vines along it. If not, consider adding a trellis, arbor or pergola and let the vines grow where they will. Lavender or white wisteria is drought resistant when established, and its gorgeous, pendulous clusters will add a delightful fragrance to the air. It will take several years to bloom, so in the meantime, enjoy morning glory, Carolina Jessamine, trumpet honeysuckle or Boston ivy scrambling over any nearby support. Though they are unquestionably attractive, these robust vines have the potential to become invasive. Do not hesitate to prune as needed to keep them from taking over entirely.
A top-notch choice to save water is gray-green santolina, a perennial herb that adds a gentle tint to the English garden. Its subtle hue complements vivid flower colors as well as the darker greens of shrubs such as English or Japanese boxwood. The rounded forms of the latter two shrubs contrast nicely with the loose, spiky form of santolina. In keeping with the traditions of the English cottage garden, plant aromatic herbs such as rosemary, oregano, thyme or marjoram. Not only do they add wonderful fragrance to the garden, but they are useful for cooking as well. Check heights of shrubs before buying them to make sure they suit the planned location. Dwarf varieties may work best.
Perennial flowers cost a bit more initially, but they save in the long run. Thirsty roses and hydrangeas will be absent from the water-saving English garden, but they will not be missed. Masses of lavender, Russian sage, artemesia and asters will provide an abundance of pink and purple blossoms. Vibrant, water-stingy plants, they need little more than normal rainfall to keep blooming, and they are naturals for the modified English garden.
Echinacea purpurea, or purple coneflower, grows in loose clumps and makes long-lasting cut flowers. Coreopsis lanceolata adds a brilliant stab of yellow-orange to the mix and is excellent for arrangements. The silvery leaves of Stachys byzantina, or lamb’s ears, will glow wherever it is planted. Tuck it into awkward corners and bare spots within the plan. Zinnias are annuals, but they are inexpensive and easy to grow. Tough and drought-tolerant, zinnias come in a multitude of colors, heights and petal styles. They are long-lasting cut flowers that may re-seed and pop up again next season.
Make a rough sketch of the garden area and identify trees and fixtures such as benches, arbors, fencing and statuary on the sketch. Work from this diagram to plan where each plant and grouping will be located. Decide first where to put the larger plants. Work around them with smaller plants and flowers. Avoid a rigid, overly-planned look with plants lined up in straight rows. The English garden is full, exuberant and colorful; it is not formal.
Except for specimen plants or larger shrubs, plant in groups of three or five of a kind. For example, cluster three purple coneflower plants in a section next to three golden Coreopsis so that they will have a greater impact. Weave foliage plants and herbs among the flowers and fill in with ground covers as needed. Plan to visit several nurseries to see which low-water plants catch your eye. The suggestions made here are but a fraction of the outstanding drought-resistant plants that are available.
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