10 Essential Elements of A Cottage Garden

Roses

Can you ever have enough roses?  My favorite and fail-proof roses come from David Austen.  Plant in threes for maximum impact!  These can also be used as a backbone plant (see below).

Enclosers

Fences and Gates, Walls and Hedges, garden rooms. A low fence or stone wall often encloses the garden and is a vehicle for plantings in the cottage garden!

Spacing

Plant flowers and vegetables close together and keep the soil healthy.  Mulch well with plenty of compost! 

Paths

Use curving pathways. Your pathways can be gravel, grass, or woodchips. The use of a winding path in the garden will allow for a element of surprise!

Structure

Use your imagination and why not try a few twig structures? Lattice, pergolas, benches look charming with climbing plants twisting up walls, trellis, and fences.

Ornamental Edibles

These are basically beautiful vegetables and herbs you can add to your flower border.  Some to consider are kale, chamomile, and tomatoes!

Backbone Plants

Pick one flower per season to shine in your garden and make sure it’s a plant that does well in your growing conditions. Planting in an abundant and rambling way is pure cottage garden style.  Make sure to plant right up to the house or other structures.  

Vegetables

Make sure to check your garden zone and include berry and vegetable plants that you and your family love to eat.  Consider adding some fruit trees.

Classic Cottage Garden Plants

Include common flowering plants for your area, especially fragrant ones, grow in profusion! Add a few classics like Clematis, Peony, and Nepeta to name just a few.  Check out my cottage garden picks HERE!