Modern Cottage Garden, The: A Fresh Approach to a Classic Style

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Then take some time to enjoy the sight of butterflies, birds and bees attracted to this beautiful space by the intoxicating aromas and lovely blend of colors. Cottage garden plants Yet you don’t need to own a thatched, period stone cottage in the heart of countryside to enjoy this kind of display. These informal, mixed planting schemes can be created around any style or age of property, whether you live in a town, city or a village in the middle of nowhere. In fact, the benefit of a cottage garden is that the style is typically very busy - ideal for anyone wishing to grow lots of plants in a small area. The mantra right plant, right place is important in designing a cottage garden. You are working with, not against your conditions, for the healthiest, sturdiest results, with the minimum of effort. The cottage garden plants in this garden have only just been planted but already you can see how modern materials bring a contemporary feel to the patio area In my experience the best place to do this is around a dining table and chairs and so I spend a lot of time discussing furniture options with my clients.

Meadows can be a glorious addition to the garden, whether purely wildflowers or enhanced with other species. They make a harmonious medley, attractive to us and also to a host of wildlife,’ says Clapp.Use reclaimed and natural materials for hard landscaping, helping to contribute to this being one of the most affordable styles, and upcycle or recycle items for your garden features.

An annual spring application of 1-2 inches of well-rotted animal manure will insure that the plants thrive.

Plan to have narrower side paths that feed off of the main one to allow access to the areas you cannot reach. Flagstone stepping stones on a bed of mulch work well for these secondary paths. Nepeta grandiflora ‘Summer Magic’, which can be grown as edging or as a substitute for a lavender hedge in soils where lavender does not thrive,' she explains. For millennia we have used climbing plants to green a surface or espaliered fruit against a warm wall. Arbours, arches, tunnels, trellises and pergolas can become lovely focal points adorned in profusely flowering roses entwined with clematis for example,’ says gardening expert and writer Leigh Clapp.

Put in place and water 'Using a garden spade, plant each to the same depth as its growing pot. Firm gently and water well, then add a layer of mulch around your plants to help retain moisture.

Plant Combinations: Finding the Right Mix

Karen Burgess credits her bountiful cottage garden with healing her from illness, consoling her in hard times and inspiring her floral art. “I’d die without this garden,” she smiles. “I had cancer during the Covid pandemic, and that’s when I truly learned the benefit of this wonderful outdoor space.