Plants that work well in an English cottage garden
Traditional cottage garden plants include geum, a hardy perennial recently returned. It sends up tall stems topped with rose-like blooms. Coreopsis tickseed, another perennial that can grow up to two feet tall, adds bright flowers to the garden during the late spring and summer. It has a wide range of colors and is hardy in USDA zones three to eight. It prefers full sun but will tolerate a little shade.
Hostas are great for cottage gardens because they are versatile and grow well in groupings or borders. If you’re looking for hydrangeas, Anabelle and Macrophylla are classics. Peonies are another cottage garden staple. They grow well in bright, sunny spots and produce whole blossoms in early spring.
Another traditional cottage garden design includes clumps of annuals, perennials, and bulbs, all grouped closely together. Cottagers often grew various plants, from fruits and vegetables to medicinal herbs and livestock. The variety of plants was essential to the traditional English cottage garden.
Plants that add color to a cottage garden
Traditional English cottage gardens emphasize the importance of flowers and foliage in the overall design. Flowering shrubs and trees, such as roses, are popular choices. Other standard options include evergreen climbers and foliage plants, such as bay and crab apple trees. In addition to flowers, many English cottage gardens feature edible plants.
Snapdragons are a favorite plant for adding color to an English cottage garden. These perennial plants are adaptable to most soil types but prefer neutral pH levels. Snapdragons feature beautiful bell-shaped flowers that resemble mouths. They are considered endemic to pastures and meadows, and their flowers are distinctive because of their “wild” appearance.
Cottage gardens are intimate spaces with dense planting. The flowers should be vibrant and varied in color. The cottage look is best achieved by using a variety of flowers with low maintenance needs. Traditionally, English cottage gardens do not have lawns. In addition to flowers, an English cottage garden should include livestock.
Plants that are hardy in a cottage garden
When considering which plants to include in your English cottage garden, you must choose hardy plants in your climate. Geraniums, for example, are an excellent choice for this type of garden. They have a wide range of colors, are very easy to grow and care for, and will make a beautiful addition to your cottage garden.
When selecting perennials for your garden, look for ones that bloom at different times of the year and are water-wise. Another essential element of English cottage gardens is edibles, which came before flowers and were initially planted to attract pollinators. Some edibles include dwarf plum trees, which produce large, sweet fruits.
Hollyhocks are an essential addition to any English cottage garden and are perennials with contrasting blooms. Their tall, star-shaped petals provide a splash of color from summer to autumn. They are quickly grown from seed and can reach up to 2.5 meters in height. They require full sun to thrive and free-draining soil. Some varieties of hollyhocks need staking to prevent them from growing too large.
Plants that add structure to a cottage garden
Plants that add structure to an English cottage garden are the ones with an upright growth habit. These include vines, obelisks, and lattices. You can use them to create an attractive vertical wall or add height to a flat area. You can add garden benches or arches for extra shelter if you have limited space.
Shrubs are another excellent choice for adding structure to a cottage garden. They give depth and volume to the area and bloom from spring to fall. The best way to arrange them is in groups of at least three. Shrubs with feathery foliage can add interest and contrast to beds and borders. Sheared boxwood balls can also add structure to a mixed planting.
If you are aiming for a cottage garden design, it is essential to avoid planting too many flowers in the same spot. Fi Boyle, a confessed plantaholic, recommends listing the plants you want to use in the garden and ticking them off as you go. To create a unified look, you should also try to use the same plants in different parts of the park. This will create a sense of rhythm and make the space less crowded.
