I like to combine the two - informal plantings in a more formal layout. Clipped hedges are too much work and take too much space so I 'suggest' formal by the shape of the bed, paths and grass areas and/or edge the beds with bricks. Have you been to Sissinghurst? That is the ultimate mix of carefully planned informal plantings in a formal structure. I loved it (we were there in 1993.) One thing I particularly liked was the beds around the Tower Lawn where the edging was not bricks but wide paving stones. I would have loved to do that here but we don't have enough space. In the link below, look at the second picture to see what I mean.

Here is a link that might be useful: Sissinghurst, tower lawn

I do both. Although this isn't quite cottage gardening, just check out how adding a clipped edge to a 'wild' garden somehow tames the scenery. http://www.oudolf.com/

This fall, I added some informal formal elements to my design in the backyard. Like the perennial bed, the paths are winding and curved. But the landscape timber raised beds are square. I didn't use very formal materials, so it works with the more natural feel I'm trying to accomplish. We'll see how it all works out in the spring and summer as things fill in and annuals come up all over from the seed I scattered here and yonder.

Since the raised beds are for veggies, I want them to have a different look and feel. That's where I'll be on the hunt for weeds whereas I don't feel a huge need to pull over tiny seedling in the other areas of the yard.

I blend the two. I think the overall balance of the entire sites leads to formality, even though the balance is assymetrical. If you stand back; there is a bit of a formal feel, but up close to any bed (except the roses)it is wild free. The rose garden and some of the border around the house are the only ones where you can see mulch. But everything is bordered and certain plants and plant combinations are repeated throughout.

Good post - makes you really think! But saying it is a COTTAGE GARDEN takes it all in; makes it OK. :)

Mickie

I like to combine also. Thanks woodyoak for the Sissinghurst link - I want to go there someday so badly! And, ianna - oudolf is very different looking with the formal clipped hedge and what appears to be wild abandon inside them. It makes me a little uncomfortable, but it sure is an example of formal and informal mixed isn't it? I'd love to see that too.

schoolhouse - I highly recommend Sissinghurst! View from the top of the tower:
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One thing I wish we had known at the time we were there is that the National Trust has a B&B on the estate - see link below. At the time we were there, I gather that staying at the B&B gave you after-hours access to the garden! But I don't see any reference to that now so I suspect that's no longer the case. The B&B sure isn't cheap though! But I'd be inclined to splurge... The other place I would like to stay is at Gravetye Manor, which was William Robinson's home and is now a country-house hotel (also not cheap!) The ownership changed recently I think because their web site no longer emphasizes the link to Robinson or talks about the garden restoration - which used to be a feature on the site. This site though says the garden is still great and now only available to guests at the hotel:http://www.gardenvisit.com/garden/gravetye_manor

My biggest regret these days is that we didn't travel more often to England while I was physically capable of it - so many gardens still to see... :-)

Here is a link that might be useful: sissinghurst castle farmhouse B&B

That is an interesting aspect of design to think about. I seem to fall a little bit more on the side of informality, but there are times when I also enjoy completely formal design when I see it. In someone else's yard, so I don't have to take care of it. [g] In my own garden, I have more informality with a touch of formal, but that goes along with our small cape. I love clipped boxwood, but not a hedge of them. Just some inserted here and there. I love a clean edge to a bed, but I like perennials and grasses flowing into each other. I do like my vegetable area to be very defined, with square beds and clean paths. It is really an element of the overall design because it offsets the curving edges of the rest of my beds.

I love that photo of Sissinghurst! I have never been able to visit England and I would dearly love it. I really love being in a walled garden, like shown in that photo. I also love Williamsburg, which has a lot of formal elements but it is in an informal setting from my point of view. I could live in Williamsburg. [g] Or England for that matter! We have a historical village in our state, called Sturbridge Village and I enjoy going there, but I do prefer Williamsburg and I think that a lot of it is that I enjoy the formal elements of their landscape more. Piet Oudolf, is fascinating, the way he combines informal/formal. Very different combinations that really appeal to me.

That is an interesting aspect of design to think about. I seem to fall a little bit more on the side of informality, but there are times when I also enjoy completely formal design when I see it. In someone else's yard, so I don't have to take care of it. [g] In my own garden, I have more informality with a touch of formal, but that goes along with our small cape. I love clipped boxwood, but not a hedge of them. Just some inserted here and there. I love a clean edge to a bed, but I like perennials and grasses flowing into each other. I do like my vegetable area to be very defined, with square beds and clean paths. It is really an element of the overall design because it offsets the curving edges of the rest of my beds.

I love that photo of Sissinghurst! I have never been able to visit England and I would dearly love it. I really love being in a walled garden, like shown in that photo. I also love Williamsburg, which has a lot of formal elements but it is in an informal setting from my point of view. I could live in Williamsburg. [g] Or England for that matter! We have a historical village in our state, called Sturbridge Village and I enjoy going there, but I do prefer Williamsburg and I think that a lot of it is that I enjoy the formal elements of their landscape more. Piet Oudolf, is fascinating, the way he combines informal/formal. Very different combinations that really appeal to me.

Ahhhhh.....Sissinghurst.....(Sigh)
Woodyoak, I was there in 1992 and will never forget it.
Seriously, if any of you folks are able to get there some day you will not be disappointed. They had so many amazing gardens and the views from the tower were just spectacular. For those of you who love roses, check out the link below of the white garden. I'm quite certain that is ONE rose on the gazebo because when I was there I was searching around the gazebo to find where it was planted.

My garden style is a little of both, but more on the informal side. I think that's more because of my house style, yard and setting. I do have some straight paths in one of my gardens but then have informal plantings w/in those beds. The rest of my yard is pretty informal. If I ever do get around to planting a vegetable garden I do envision a fenced-in, raised-bed area with very clean lines and very symmetrical. And veggies that behave like those in It's Complicated. Is that asking too much!?! LOL!

I am planning a phase 3 in my yard (a number of years down the road) for the untouched area to the right of my house and driveway. I've already planted a hedge of 6 small Viburnum plicatum 'Mariesii' at the edge of that area in hopes that when I'm ready to plant it will already be a "secret garden". That is the garden I hope to make a little more formal since it will be futher from the house and more hidden. I apologize, but I forget who ordered the statue of Hebe, but I can surely picture her in this more formal area that I am hoping for.

Ianna, that is a great link. Very interesting design that I would never have considered.

Here is a link that might be useful: Sissinghusrt White garden

Sorry, don't know how it posted twice. :-(

I definitely combine them - I am attempting a relatively formal structure but with informal plantings, and balance rather than full symmetry.

This tends to be a theme in my design in general, I think, tho expressed more obviously in this garden than in other designs. (I'm an architect by profession, and garden as a hobby).

I need to put Sissinghurst on my "bucket list". :) Thanks for the other links you two.

Hi Schoolhouse. Piet Oudolf's style is very different and not to everyone's taste. I meant only to show how a clipped hedges tames a wild scenery. It's a technique Mr. Oudolf borrows from traditonal forms of gardening and yet utilizes it in a very modern way. Mr. Oudolf practises what is called New Wave gardening and that's because he aims to mimic the meadow look, the vista of fields of grass and wildflowers. when fields of grass and flowers is blown by the wind, it moves like waves. To me that's very awe inspiring. It's my present interest but since I couldn't extract myself from Cottage Gardening, I have combined both. The current trend of ornamental grass gardening is partly influence by this new wave gardening. Mr. Oudolf is the person who designed the Battery Park of New York, the Millenium Gardens of Chicago and many more grand manors is Europe.

Ianna, I've learned something today about New Wave gardening, thanks. Very exciting.

I prefer a mixture of both. I do like neat lines and everything is done here for ease of mowing since it's hard on me. I love free flowing but if things get too leggy that they destroy the neatness of my beds I'm not going to keep them. I found that to be happening with too many taller perennials and last year I started replacing a lot and adding flowering shrubs for the background perimeters instead. I'm hoping to get some significant growth on them this year although I changed my plans on them over the winter and have some transplanting to do in March. :)
Cher