A cottage-style garden may appear to be naturally crafted and slightly out of control, but in fact, it follows a few simple rules. Use these landscape design ideas to create a look that will make any home seem like a sweet cottage.
Curving Paths and Lines
Cottage landscaping ideas are relaxed and loose, not rigid or formal. To enhance the air of informality, curve the pathways and flowerbed edges. Curves entice the visitor to move farther into the garden to see what is around the bend and discover the hidden mysteries. Train plants to drape over the edges of the beds, softening the lines.
Packed Beds
Cottage gardens originated in Europe, where peasants grew their favorite plants—beautiful and practical —in small spaces. For your cottage garden, always select plants that grow easily in your area. To grow plants from cuttings or divisions that originated with friends and family is in the spirit of cottage gardens. Place plants as close together as you can without causing them to smother each other. This style of planting has the benefit of crowding out weeds. Add compost yearly, so the soil has enough nutrients to support a large plant population. To help with weed control and moisture retention, mulch the beds with organic material that breaks down and adds nutrients to the soil. Avoid placing plants in regimented lines or patterns; cottage landscaping ideas always rely on plants appearing to tumble about with abandon.
Old-Fashioned Plants
A cottage garden should express both joy and purpose. The original cottage-style landscape designs placed beautiful bloomers of varying heights next to native plants, herbs, and ornamental vegetables. Color schemes follow no rules, varying from a soothing pastel plan of pinks, blues, and yellows to an intense riot of reds, oranges, purples, silvers, and more. Plants with multiple petals, such as roses and peonies, are cottage-style favorites and have the added benefit of a sweet scent. Contrast heights within beds by using spiky classics such as foxgloves and delphiniums. Constantly blooming annuals fit in perfectly with cottage landscaping ideas and designs. Consider varieties of zinnia, moss rose, marigold, salvia, and nasturtium for ease of care. Verbena bonariensis, with its airy habit, fits anywhere and has the added benefit of being a prolific reseeder. Rely on perennials with a long season of interest or texture, such as fuzzy lamb’s ears, hardy geranium, lady’s mantle, and sedums, to carry from one year to the next. Incorporate shrubs or small trees. A panicle hydrangea, Japanese maple, or ornamental dwarf conifer adds dimension and year-round “bones” to the beds. Avoid going too far afield with rare or high-maintenance plants. Tropical plants look interesting and perform well in many areas, but they don’t fit the cottage style. Most blooming plants rely on full or partial sun to perform well. You may need to tone down your expectations of possible color schemes to grow a cottage garden in a shady location. Don’t despair; plenty of good shade plants will add the texture and informal grace you desire.
Romantic Looks
Even if you don’t have a thatched roof, you can give your home a romantic attitude with the right props. A low fence, such as a classic white picket or wrought-iron gate, offers a sense of enclosure and heightened style. Add a vine- or rose-covered matching arbor or trellis to connect unrelated areas, such as a front yard to a backyard. Place an obelisk or tuteur inside a flat expanse to create vertical interest. If you have a large garden, space these structures along alternate sides of a pathway, so they appear to draw you along. Relax in outdoor furniture that looks homey and comfortable, not tired and rundown. Country-style painted and weathered wood chairs, antique metal shellback chairs, or a cute bistro set work well in the design scheme.
Meaningful Decor
Decorate your landscape with sentimental items and have an aged patina, such as the lightning rods from your grandfather’s farm or the little wagon your mother always used. Don’t overdo it; a few ornaments appropriately placed can go a long way. A cottage-style landscape should feel good to you, not like a burden. Don’t feel like it has to look like a magazine spread. Choose what you love, and the beauty will follow.
