Derrick, your home is a natural for the cottage style garden. Funny thing about cottage too, people are drawn to it, I think without knowing why. But I think it brings back old memories of grandmothers gardens in the day when they were not so carefully tended and served a utilitarian purpose. They didn't plant things in long straight rows arranged in a square, but would plant patches of seeds near the dooryard for their convenience. That's why sometimes they look a little wild. Your yard may stick out like a sore thumb for a while, but I bet in a few years you'll begin to see others yards taking shape too.

To start with, choose plants that are being sold at your local garden centers. Usually you can count on them to do well in your area, not always, but usually. Make notes of how well it performs in your garden and if you like it, plan to use it again.

Don't feel like you have to create an entire cottage garden in one season either. If you start with a small manageable area and you like it, you can always expand it by increments in succeeding years. I always find that gardening is more fun to "ease Into" than to "attack."

Cheryl

There are a number of gardens represented here from which you could take ideas. Kathy's is one, Vicki's in Va is another.

I would suggest leaving a bit of lawn -- Kathy has broad paths; I lean toward an small of oval of grass on which the eye can rest in a small front yard.

I'll link to one of Kathy's best posts with pics. Maybe others can show you some other front yards. Sue's, Mr. Morton's, several of the California gardens -- the list goes on and on.

Nell

My best tip: If you're in the hot, humid South, do not be enchanted by zone 8 gardens in Oregon, Seattle and British Columbia -- you can't duplicate them!

Here is a link that might be useful: Kathy's Garden, Texas zone 8

Hi Derrick,

I suggest some curving paths so you walk amongst the flowers.

Even if you can't grow some of the plants I do, please take a look at my garden to understand 'amongst' the plants.

Libby

Here is a link that might be useful: my garden

Sigh. Couldn't you just DIE when you look at Libby's peonies, lilacs and delphiniums?

What will you plant for the bees, Derrick? Many of the bee plants will also attract butterflies, and vice versa.

Nell

Lovely gardens, both Kathy's and Libby's!

Derrick, you are at the really fun part of making a cottage garden and that is the planning part. I suggest you look at lots of pics and gardening sites, books, as well as seed catalogues, and make a list of your fav plants. The ones that are easy to grow from seed should be started first and others can be purchased as you find them.

Curving beds, various plant heights in undulating waves, and whatever colors you choose will make your garden cottage style as well as your personal statement. Make a drawing to scale of your yard if you are so inclined. It will help you to remember what you have planted from year to year and also where you might add other plants.

A birdfeeder and bath will bring those garden helpers in.

A nice place to sit and enjoy your work is always nice.

Oh, and my personal garden essential, I hope you have or will start a compost!

Derrick, The roofing paper went down in about Dec. or Jan. of 07. We had a pretty good garden by May/June. The secret is either LOTS of leaves or compost.
We are lucky enough to have a fellow bring about 25 bags of finely mulched leaves every Friday, during the season. Note the area around the tree and the banana trees He put the bags of leaves side by side. I tore each back open and gave each bag a couple kicks with my foot and then pulled the bag out. This left a pile of mulc about 15 inches deep. This is what I had 4 months later.

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Back Yard July 08

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Thank y'all for the nice compliments.

Never mind what the neighbors think. I dug up my entire front yard and put in a garden. My neighbors have simple lawns, shrubs and trees. A year after, my next door neighbor joined in and I'm now being asked to help design other yards. (I don't really, but I let the neighbors dictate their own styles).

to make sure a cottage garden doesn't look unkempt, create clean lines around it. Even border them with low hedging if possible and you can achieve this with any evergreen shrubs, or even herbs. I've utilized such things as boxwoods or yews, or even curly parsley, rosemary (in warmer climates), thyme - just to create that border look.

Mulch any uncovered grounds.

That's just about it, I think.

Hi Derrick and welcome to the Cottage!

I see that you are located in Georgia zone 8, so hopefully some Southerners will chime in here, with plants that will work in your zone, etc.

To keep a cottage garden from looking unruly, I recommend using evergreen plants & architectural elements in your borders to create the 'bones'. After the bones are in place, fill in with perennials, grasses, herbs, veggies, fruits, bulbs and flowering annuals for seasonal interest, and there you go.

The library can also be a great source of info on landscape design.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

Becky

Derrick, as you know here in georgia we are in a bad drought, here is a list of things in my yard that thrive despite...
rosemary
lavandar
phlox
coneflower
culinary sage
knockout rose
pomeganate
santalina
germandar
grasses
lambs ears
georgia blue speedwell
peony festiva maxima
holly
lorapetalum
osmanthus fragans
coryopteria
iris
vitex
yucca
and many other things get a long with no additional water once established. I'd really look for plants that are xeric and native. and if you plant edibles, you will enjoy your garden more, and be allowed to water during the drought. I have paw paw, persimmon, fig, hazelnut, pomegranate, peach, herbs, blueberries, tea camellias and more. good luck, this is an exciting time for you! Harriet

I too have been in my house in an older neighborhood for 2 years. There was a straight bed of some perennials and weeds and a couple of overgrown and badly placed shrubs when we moved in. (Not much worth saving.) I have managed to get a little bit of stuff started, but here is my overall plan for our front yard. I toyed with the idea of a picket fence, and when I mocked it up, it looked really good, but functionally I just don't think it would work for us. We need a little breathing room around the sidewalk and driveway for shoveled snow. I liked the idea though because inside it could be chock full of plants, but the fence still gave it a sense of order. If you have enough room, you might consider that.

HTH.

Hi Derrick,
I just started my front bed this summer.

I also have beds by the curb and on the other side of the sidewalk by the house. I have more pics on my blog.

Here is a link that might be useful: A Corner Garden