Colorful, eclectic, inviting, whimsical: these are just a handful of words that come to mind when I think of a cottage garden. There's something about these flower gardens that make me want to jump back in time and join the adventures of my favorite childhood stories like Anne of Green Gables or The Chronicles of Narnia. There's a sense of wonder in the sight of a flower garden teeming with growth and character. But what's the key to creating such a magical garden? What types of flowers, elements, and designs should we incorporate to acheive such beauty? Keep reading to discover 4 tips to create your own cottage garden.
1. Choose your flowers. There is a seemingly endless array of flowers that will bring magic and romance to your garden. The three keys to gathering just the right flowers for your cottage garden are to 1) know which flowers grow well in your climate, 2) choose a variety of flowers that bloom at different points through the seasons, and 3) include different sizes, shapes, and colors of flowers throughout your garden. Some common cottage garden favorites include hollyhocks, phlox, rose bushes and climbing roses, peonies, sweet peas, tulips, daffodils, bee balm, and hydrangea. But again, this is just the tip of the iceburg when it comes to gorgeous cottage garden flowers.
2. Design the layout. When designing your cottage garden, it's important to avoid too much structure and uniformity. You want your flowers to be mixed (seemingly effortlessly) throughout the garden. Adding twists, turns, and curves to the outline of your garden will naturally make it more intriguing and create a sense of character. Also be sure to consider the location of your cottage garden. Is there an appropriate amount of sunlight for the flowers you're incorporating? Will the soil be suitable for growing flowers? And if you're choosing flowers of the climbing variety such as climbing roses or honeysuckle, is there a place where you can encourage them to climb?
3. Add structures and decorations. Features such as picket fences, stone pathways, and rustic trellises add the extra measure of character your cottage garden needs. You can also choose to add simple elements into your garden like an old wheelbarrow, a bird bath, or a hanging lantern. If you're growing your cottage garden on a decent chunk of yard space, you can also consider including a tranquil sitting area where you can enjoy the peace and beauty of your garden with a cup of hot coffee or tea in the mornings (or really whenever!). If you have young children or grandchildren, a fun element to add for them would be a cute little fairy garden because of course, there are plenty of adventures to be had in a magical cottage garden.
4. Let it grow. The most beautiful season of a cottage garden is when the flowers are full and running wild! Aside from picking flowers or the occasional pruning (depending on the flowers you've chosen), you can feel free to let your flower garden take a mind of its own. After all, the free-spirited growth of a cottage garden is what gives it natural whimsy and intrigue.
Have questions or other tips for creating your own cottage garden? Share them in the comments below!
