Explore abundant, informal designs, beautiful plants, and the classic English country garden style.
We’re building a house on a new acreage out in the country. The property is a blank slate, so you can bet I’m dreaming about all of the different possibilities for gardens. I have always loved the look and feel of cottage gardens, so come along with me as I dig in to the style through the Cottage Garden Series.
What is a Cottage Garden?
Origins of the Cottage Garden Style
The British cottage garden style started in Medieval times. English citizens used their gardens as places to grow fruit, vegetables, medicine, and herbs. Flowers weren’t the focus, as space was limited and their goal was maximum productivity.
Over time, as the citizens became more prosperous, flowers became more plentiful in their gardens. Some were grown for beauty, and others were grown as companion plants. Cottage gardens became more popular in the late 1800s, and by the 20th century, gardeners were combining structured layouts with informal plantings. The cottage garden style has been cemented into history thanks to the bountiful look of well-designed natural borders, mixed plantings, and the virtually endless combinations of colors, layers, and textures.
Key Characteristics of a Cottage Garden
Structures and Decorations
Cottage gardens typically have added decorations and materials to add a bit of structure and whimsy. Level up your garden and add a bit of your personality with some of these ideas:
- birdbaths
- fences/walls made of metal, wood, or stone
- garden ornaments
- arbors and trellises
- rustic or recycled materials
- seating: table with chairs or benches
Informal Layouts and Layered Planting
The ideal layout begins with curvy paths and walkways. Designing the paths will help you get a visual of the way the garden will “flow”. After planning the walkways, you can start figuring out the layout of the plants.
Plantings should be informal, mimicking a natural design that you’d typically find in a wild, outdoor area. Natural areas are full of tall plants, short plants, climbers, groundcovers, trees, and shrubs. In a densely planted garden, there will always be something interesting to catch your eye as you stroll along – just like in nature.
Mixing Flowers, Herbs, and Edibles
There isn’t a typical color palette, and you can choose flowering plants that will create a whimsical and joyful garden. Anything goes (almost) and you can mix pastels with punchy pops of color. Grow hardy perennials, make a statement with annual flowers, add plenty of vegetables, fruit trees, and a wide assortment of herbs. Get creative! Plant something that will bloom in every season, and don’t forget to add plants and trees that will supply a winter habitat for local wildlife.
Why Cottage Gardens Work in the USA
American gardeners are excited to embrace gardens that feature plants native to their specific regions. Native plants are pretty low maintenance – they have been thriving for ages with hardly any effort from humans. By planting them, your homegrown landscape will resemble what you’d find out in the wild and will produce a habitat for local pollinators and other wildlife.
Cottage Gardens Can Work for You
Cottage gardens have very few rules – think “whimsical abundance”. You can do it your way, wherever you live. The whole point is to naturally overflow with plants, flowers, trailing vines, and vegetables. You can personalize the garden to no end.
Enjoy your version of the old English cottage garden style in your own backyard. Post a picture in the comments of your designs!
FAQ
What Plants are Common in a Cottage Garden?
Check out this list of common plants (below.) The options and combinations are endless! Start by growing some of your favorite plants and go from there.
- Flowering perennials: roses, phlox, peony, hollyhock, clematis, & coneflowers
- Flowering annuals: cosmos, zinnias, petunias, & snapdragons
- Herbs: Lavender, sage, borage, parsley, & oregano
- Vegetables & fruits: brassicas, tomatoes, gourds, beans, berries, rhubarb, & fruit trees
How Does a Cottage Garden Differ from a Formal Garden?
Cottage gardens are informal, whimsical, and loaded with plants. Gardeners will mix herbs, vegetables, and flowers in their gardens. Formal gardens are essentially the opposite: less plant variety, structured, and symmetrical. Formal gardens have nice, tidy lines and borders.
Can I Create a Cottage Garden in Any Climate?
Absolutely! Choose plants that are suited to your region, including your growing zone, soil condition, and available sunlight.
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