Add some flair to your yard this growing season – follow our step-by-step guide to learn how to design a cottage garden full of whimsical abundance.
How to Design a Cottage Garden
There are endless options when it comes to the design of cottage gardens and it can feel overwhelming. Let’s simply the process, shall we? In this post, I’ll take you step-by-step through the planning stage to give you a head start on your dream garden. The first step is to consider how much space is available for your garden.
Choosing the Location and Size of a Cottage Garden
Garden Location
The plants in your cottage garden need plenty of sunlight, but the amounts differ depending on the plant. You can find how much sunlight is required by checking the seed packet, plant label, or by doing some research on seed companies’ websites.
Plants will be categorized into different light requirements such as
- Full Sun: 6 or more hours of direct sun
- Part Sun: 3-6 hours of direct sun
- Part Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sun + shade during mid-day
- Full Shade: 3 hours or less of direct sun
Use this sun mapping guide to figure out where the sun falls on your property so you’ll know which areas are full sun, part sun/shade, or full shade.
Garden Size
After you map the sunlight, make a plant wish list. The size of your garden depends on its location plus what you want to grow. Once your wish list is compiled, figure out which ones are known to do well in your growing zone. You’ll want a mix of vegetables, herbs, annual flowers, perennials, and maybe even shrubs and trees that will thrive in your climate.
As you make your list, you’ll want to research the mature size and spacing requirements of your wish list. Knowing these numbers will be helpful when it’s time to sketch your garden. You can find this information on either the back of the seed packet, the plastic insert in the young plant’s container, or on the seed supplier’s website.
Establishing Structure in an Informal Cottage Garden
Think of structure as “bones.” Adding structure in a cottage garden sets the foundation of the garden. They’re the hard things – pathways, rock walls, edging, and fencing. Additions such arches, trellises, benches, and patio sets provide structure, too. Structure doesn’t need to be set with hardscapes alone, you can use plants to provide a softer structure.
Paths, Arches, and Trellises
Paths in cottage gardens should be intentional (not going off in random directions,) and they should curve to encourage visitors to take their time and enjoy their walk through the garden. Most garden paths are made with grass, crushed rock, bricks, or pavers. Arches and trellises make excellent additions for climbing plants and visual interest.
Fences, Seating, and Vintage Decor
Fencing helps set a hard border rather than the soft borders made by the plants. As visitors to the garden are wandering through, they might want to sit a while and enjoy their surroundings. Have benches or a patio set available in a lovely spot. Adding decor to the garden adds a splash of your personality – maybe your great grandfather’s antique farm equipment (around here that’s common!) or a fun planter that you found at a garage sale (also common.)
Using Plants to Provide Structure
Add a softer structure in the garden by using plants. They will serve as eye-catching visuals in the winter and provide a reliable habitat for wildlife. Use evergreen shrubs, columnar evergreens, tall plants, and ornamental grasses to define paths, draw attention, or serve as a privacy screen. Repeat the plants throughout the garden to create rhythm in your design.
Layering Plants in the Garden for a Lush Effect
After you decide your garden’s location, size, and structures, it’s time to make a planting plan (the fun part!?) Cottage gardens are full of color, layers, and texture. Fill them with an abundant mixture of differing heights, textures, and structures to provide a thoughtful, whimsical design.
Layering plants for a lush effect includes placing tall plants in the back of the border, medium-height plants in the middle, and shorter plants and groundcovers toward the front near the path. Perennial plants you choose will take up to three years to fully mature, so consider planting annuals in the gaps until the perennials are full grown.
Tall Border Plants
- Fennel
- Butterfly Bush
- Hydrangea
- Rose
- Hollyhock
- Honeysuckle
- Clematis
Mid-Height Border Plants
- Bee Balm
- Black-Eyed Susan
- Phlox
- Salvia
- Delphinium
- Lupine
- Peony
Short Border Plants
- Coral Bells
- Lavender
- Shasta Daisy
- Sedum
- Yarrow
- Geranium
- Tulip
Mixing Flowers, Herbs, and Edibles
To maximize the cottage garden effect, grow a garden of mixed herbs, flowers, and edibles. You can plant them with intention by researching what plants grow well together (and which ones don’t.) Companion plants:
- “Larger plants can provide helpful shade which could minimize the chance of early bolting.
- Use tall, sturdy plants as a living trellis
- Pollinators are invited in to spread pollen and improve the quality of crops. (Consider adding some of these plants!)
- Some plants improve soil health by adding nitrogen to the surrounding soil.
- Deter pests from your crops using companion plants.
- Lower the chances of soil splash by using companion plants as living mulch.
- Companion plants help with biodiversity in the garden.” (Companion Plants in the Garden)
Dig deeper into using companion plants and download our free e-book.
How to Use Companion Plants in the Garden (FREE E-BOOK)
Learn more about these plants, the benefits they provide, and how to use them to your advantage in your home garden.
Check out These Resources for More Help with Cottage Garden Design
