Landscape Design
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9 Charming Ideas From Cottage-Style Gardens
Choose this classic free-flowing English garden style and create a fairy-tale retreat
Cottage gardens never go out of fashion. Their romantic look comes from planting a mixture of wildflowers and traditional varieties, such as roses or honeysuckle, and adding rustic materials, such as terra cotta and wood. Best of all, cottage gardens don’t require a huge amount of space — in fact, a tiny courtyard can look as lovely as a big plot. Browse these nine gardens for ideas.
2. Pretty up a shed. A wooden shed can easily be worked into your cottage garden, and painting it a rustic shade, such as this duck-egg blue, will give it a sweet country vibe. A traditional green or a French gray also would be pretty. If your shed is plain, try adding scalloped edging or shutters to the windows to create a more old-fashioned look. You could even add gingham curtains.
Don’t forget to install a trellis up the side for your honeysuckle or roses to climb — another mainstay of the cottage garden look.
Find out how these homeowners created their cottage-style garden from scratch
Don’t forget to install a trellis up the side for your honeysuckle or roses to climb — another mainstay of the cottage garden look.
Find out how these homeowners created their cottage-style garden from scratch
3. Install an arch. To add to the wild and free feel of your garden, build a structure that plants can clamber. Find a spot where an arbor would look good, such as the entrance to a pathway or a secluded seating area, and position the structure above it. You can buy ready-made arbors in various sizes and materials to suit your space.
This rose arch has been perfectly placed above the bench to create a peaceful corner full of color and fragrance.
This rose arch has been perfectly placed above the bench to create a peaceful corner full of color and fragrance.
4. Be natural. In a classic cottage garden, formal and regimented lines are out, replaced instead by a natural meadow effect.
Here, pretty woodland flowers, including foxgloves, combine with ground planting, such as hostas, for a dash of greenery. A russet Japanese maple adds another rich country tone.
Here, pretty woodland flowers, including foxgloves, combine with ground planting, such as hostas, for a dash of greenery. A russet Japanese maple adds another rich country tone.
5. Pop in some pots. If your yard is paved or you don’t want the maintenance of rambling flower beds, you can still achieve a cottage garden mood. This courtyard sports a lively mix of plants tumbling from a collection of terra-cotta, stone and galvanized-metal pots.
The key to achieving a natural look with container plants is to choose pretty, delicate flowers rather than structural plants.
The key to achieving a natural look with container plants is to choose pretty, delicate flowers rather than structural plants.
6. Create a cozy perch. Design little corners in your cottage garden where you can hide away in a secret retreat. A classic wooden bench with arms is perfect, or you could copy this garden and install chunky stone seating tucked among the plants in a sunny spot.
Let flowers grow freely between the slabs to keep things natural. A good choice is fleabane (Erigeron), which self-seeds to find its way into nooks and crannies.
Let flowers grow freely between the slabs to keep things natural. A good choice is fleabane (Erigeron), which self-seeds to find its way into nooks and crannies.
7. Go for grass. A cottage garden doesn’t have to be dedicated to flowers and shrubs exclusively — it can still have a lawn while retaining a generous floral border.
Get your patio furniture right to set the tone. Choose a timeless design, like this wood-and-metal bistro set, to complement a country atmosphere.
Get your patio furniture right to set the tone. Choose a timeless design, like this wood-and-metal bistro set, to complement a country atmosphere.
8. Try terra cotta. Rustic materials are key to the cottage garden look. Vintage terra-cotta has a beautiful warmth that brings to mind old-fashioned vegetable patches. Build up a collection of mismatched flowerpots for that lovely relaxed mood.
9. Step it up. Create a rustic atmosphere with paths and steps made from reclaimed wood, brick or stone. These old railroad ties form a series of steps leading to a raised area of the yard.
Tell us: Do you have a cottage garden that you love? Share your photos and gardening tips in the Comments.
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See how to create a cottage garden
Find a landscape professional
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Tell us: Do you have a cottage garden that you love? Share your photos and gardening tips in the Comments.
More
See how to create a cottage garden
Find a landscape professional
Browse garden products
The best cottage gardens are about mixing up a variety of wild and traditional flowers for a relaxed, timeless look. Cottage garden staples include daisies, poppies, foxgloves, lupines, hollyhocks and stocks. Plant them close together for a densely covered effect, and don’t worry they get a bit on the tall side.