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

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According to garden designer Tracy Foster MSGD, historically, as well as being pretty to look at, the plants in a cottage garden earned their place by being easy to grow, useful, edible or a mixture of all three.When deciding on your planting schemes, take inspiration from kitchen garden ideas as well as companion planting ideas to help you combine the best mix of blooms and crops. The three things to take into consideration, no matter what you decide, though, are as follows: create a space for friends and family to gather, for wildlife to take shelter, and for plants to thrive.

Overall, creating a cottage garden requires a blend of careful planning and a relaxed approach,’ explains Georgina from Paving Superstore. ‘It's not about striving for perfection, but rather cultivating a sense of whimsy and nostalgia. By choosing the right paving, planting perennials and annuals, using traditional fencing and adding some sculptural interest and water features, you can create a charming and inviting space that captures the essence of a classic cottage garden.’ For those with a big budget, try statement pergola ideas like this. A major step up from your average pergola, this structure features a remote-controlled roof system which can be rotated to protect from sun or increase ventilation whenever you need it. See: Front yard cottage garden ideas – for plenty of inspiration 3. Add pretty garden accessories to draw the eye Part of the ethos of a cottage garden is imbuing it with your own personality; there are no rules, just plant what you love to create a garden that appeals to you. There are, however a few starter tips to remember:It’s the versatility of the cottage garden style which appeals too. Tracy suggests that ‘the resulting symphony of shape, texture, colour and scent in a seemingly unstructured layout can bring bucolic charm to any plot, even in the heart of a city.’

Full of scent, colour and the sound of buzzy bees. The traditional cottage garden has been the setting for many paintings, photographs and films. They tend to include beautiful colours, intriguing layouts, hidden surprises and sometimes even edible treats. However, we tend to associate them with – well- cottages. But there’s no reason why the concept of a cottage garden cannot be adapted to suit any style of property of size of garden. Origins of the cottage garden Do you know what the pH of the soil is? If not, do a test as some plants are fussy about the type of soil they grow in,' she adds. Our guide to soil types has more advice should you need it. A careful choice of plants and mulching materials make modern cottage gardens just as manageable as their any alternative. Note that the pergola posts will inevitably shrink and swell with changes in ground and weather conditions. As the installation proceeds, it is imperative all pergola posts are set vertical and remain in line at all times otherwise the pergola will not be structurally sound,' Leigh says.'A good spirit level must be used throughout the process to ensure complete accuracy.'

A wooden bench, a glider, or a half gazebo will facilitate reflection, relaxation, and a feeling of well-being. Maintenance Cottage gardening reached its peak during the Victorian era and, with the rise of mass production and distribution of food, the ornamentals became the focus in the garden. Remember – gardens are not created overnight; they evolve over years. Keep adding to it and, before you know it, you will have created your own dream cottage garden. What is a cottage garden style? Apart from the visual prettiness, there is the added bonus with cottage gardens of bio-diversity, with plants rarely suffering from diseases and pests due to the wide choice available. Having many varieties ideal for attracting beneficial insects and wildlife to your garden. Find advice on on eco-friendly gardening or how to create a wildlife garden in our separate guides.

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. Arbours, arches, pergolas, trellis screens and benches can be used to divide the garden into rooms, act as focal points or work as a device to lead the eye from one part of a garden to another. Be free in your cottage garden! Of all garden styles, the cottage garden is one that is meant to delight and appeal to your own personal taste. Plant cabbage among the flowers or Swiss chard along the path. Do not follow "the rules." Plant whatever appeals to you—there is no ‘no’. Also remember the taller the pergola the more unstable it may become and it may also be harder to maintain,' he adds.It’s fair to say that Karen’s come a long way since then. Having overcome her illness, she’s launched a thriving career as a watercolourist and textile artist, working and teaching in her Dartmoor garden-side studio. And central to that career change is the lush rambling country garden she shares with her five cats and thriving wildlife. From intricate petal appliqué bags and edible flower biscuits to floral wreaths and framed pressed flowers, every one of Karen’s creations has been directly inspired by her homegrown blooms. 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

Many plants are edible as well as decorative. They are well worth investigating for a cottage garden. Herbs of course are the obvious choice, but what about cornflowers, calendula, violas and nasturtiums? – their flowers make a lovely addition to a salad. A fruit tree or two will provide great value for money. Getting to this point has involved more overgrowth cutting than Karen cares to remember, and many hours spent lovingly nurturing her beloved blooms from seed. Which cottage garden plants? Add some productive plants among the profusion in a cottage garden design, such as a self-fertile dwarf fruit tree, vegetables and herbs. Some of our clients have shied away from the cottage style gardens, not because they don’t like them – but because they perceive them as being high maintenance.Most importantly, provide a destination or place to sit and contemplate the beauty and peace of your surroundings.