Chris is a gardening writer and nature enthusiast. He graduated from Oxford Brookes University in 2022 with an MA in Psychology. Chris works with the Leeds Green Action Society, helping their food cooperative by growing various fruit and vegetables on their two allotments in Hyde Park, Leeds.
Reviewed By ROY NICOL
Roy is a Professional Gardener and Horticultural Consultant, specialising in large garden year-round maintenance and garden development. He is an RHS Master of Horticulture and uses his research in the application of no-dig methods in ornamental garden settings. Roy has been a Professional Gardener for more than six years and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Horticulture, Professional Gardener's Guild and Association of Professional Landscapers (Professional Gardener).
Contributions From CLARE FOSTER
Garden Editor for House & Gardens, Clare Foster has worked as a Writer for over 25 years. She has written several gardening books that have been met with critical acclaim from renowned gardeners such as Beth Chatto. Clare also writes her own blog and runs an online shop from her personal website, Bud to Seed.
IN THIS GUIDE
- What Is A Cottage Garden?
- 1) Roses
- 2) Lupins
- 3) Lavender
- 4) Wisteria
- 5) Hollyhocks
- 6) Foxgloves
- 7) Columbine
- 8) Larkspur
- 9) Catmint
- 10) Bellflower
- 11) Peonies
- 12) Cranesbill
- 13) Sweet Peas
- 14) Clematis
- 15) Coral Bells
- 16) Iris
- 17) Asters
- 18) Snapdragons
- 19) Yarrow
- 20) Bleeding Heart
- 21) Honeysuckle
- 22) Penstemon
- 23) African Daisies
- 24) Cinquefoils
- 25) Prairie Mallow
- An Enchanted Cottage Garden
- References
There are few things more idyllic than a British cottage garden.
The idea instantly conjures up images of colourful, sprawling plants and flowers and the sweet scent of roses and blossoms being carried gently by a light afternoon breeze.
Interestingly, cottage gardens emerged in the Elizabethan period.1Gardens through time. (n.d.). English Heritage. Retrieved March 14, 2023, from https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/histories/gardens-through-time/
The cottages were owned by labourers who had no particular interest in flowers.
They held minimal land, and their gardens were filled with fruit and veg to provide food for their families, and with herbs for medicinal purposes.2Inside the Elizabethan Garden. (2018, June 8). Folger Shakespeare Library. Retrieved March 14, 2023, from https://www.folger.edu/blogs/folger-story/inside-the-elizabethan-garden/
Flowers were generally an afterthought, planted to protect their harvest from insects.
It’s thought that in the 19th century, the more wealthy members of society began to design their gardens purely for aesthetic reasons.3Garden and landscape design – 19th century. (2000, January 12). Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved March 14, 2023, from https://www.britannica.com/art/garden-and-landscape-design/19th-century
This is when the cottage garden style that we know today began.
Despite the name, cottage gardens aren’t limited to those of us who own a cottage.
Even if you own the most modern of houses in the busiest of towns or cities, you can still create the cottage garden of your dreams.
What Is A Cottage Garden?
Before we get into plants, the first thing you need to understand is what defines a cottage garden.
English in origin, a cottage garden is recognisable by its informal design, dense planting, a mix and match of ornamental and edible plants and the use of natural materials.
“I have a flower-filled cottage garden where I like growing all sorts of different plants that I put together in a naturalistic way,” shares Clare Foster, a garden writer.
“I like plants that self-seed, so the garden starts developing in ways that you wouldn’t necessarily have anticipated.”
Cottage gardens rely on charm and romance rather than extravagance and grandeur.
That said, although these gardens have no formal structure, it does not mean, if you are starting your garden from scratch, that you should do so without any pre-planning or design.
Choosing the right plants is vital, but knowing where to start can be tricky.
There are hundreds of plants that will help accentuate the cottage garden style, but we’ve drawn together twenty-five top players to help you capture the look quickly and easily.
So let’s jump right in.
1) Roses
- BOTANICAL NAME: ROSA
- PLANT TYPE: VARIES BY TYPE
- HARDINESS RATING: VARIES
- PREFERRED POSITION: FULL SUN
Roses are the quintessential cottage garden plants.
Romantic, timeless, effortlessly beautiful and don’t get us started on their gorgeous scent!
When it comes to roses, you do need to do your research. Some types are less hardy than others, and some are very challenging to care for.
In a cottage garden, you are going to have a lot going on plant wise so when it comes to roses we do recommend choosing a variety that is easier to maintain.
Most roses require full sun, so plant them somewhere where they will receive plenty of sunlight, and they will soon begin to thrive.
“Some varieties of roses cope happily with part shade, allowing selections to be made for different spots in the garden,” shares Master Horticulturist Roy Nicol.
“However, all roses like fertile soil that holds moisture, so improving the soil with lots of organic matter will encourage roses to grow well and flower accordingly.”
2) Lupins
- BOTANICAL NAME: LUPINUS
- PLANT TYPE: HERBACEOUS PERENNIAL
- HARDINESS RATING: TYPICALLY H4/H5
- PREFERRED POSITION: SHELTERED; FULL SUN OR PART SHADE
Lupins have been a firm favourite in British gardens for generations.
These traditional summer bedding plants produce triumphant, flowering spears, blooming from May to July.
This striking stately plant has over six hundred varieties in varying tones of pink, purple, blue, yellow, brown, red and white and are therefore a great way to add a splash of colour to your garden.
Lupins enjoy full sun or dappled shade and moist well-drained soil and are extremely easy and rewarding to grow.
“Younger Lupin plants are particularly attractive to slugs and snails so some protection with effective organic methods such as nematodes or sheep’s wool is advisable,” shares Roy.
3) Lavender
- BOTANICAL NAME: LAVANDULA
- PLANT TYPE: SHRUB
- HARDINESS RATING: H5
- PREFERRED POSITION: SHELTERED; FULL SUN
Lavender is loved for its rich and aromatic fragrance as well as its natural beauty.
A cottage garden should not only be memorable because of its visual aesthetic but also for the scents it produces, and lavender will not let you down in that department.
Easy to grow, this reliable shrub thrives in full sun in free-draining soil or a container making it perfect for even the most modest-sized gardens.
Lavender is well known for its calming properties which help to promote wellness and reduce stress.
Placing a few sprigs under your pillow can encourage peaceful slumber, and you can even add lavender to relaxing tea infusions!
What’s more, bees love lavender and welcoming these vital pollinators into your cottage garden will help your plants produce more seeds and help your garden to flourish.
4) Wisteria
- BOTANICAL NAME: WISTERIA
- PLANT TYPE: CLIMBER
- HARDINESS RATING: H6
- PREFERRED POSITION: SHELTERED; FULL SUN OR PART SHADE
A vibrant and vigorous climbing shrub, wisteria exudes grace and charm.
Driving through a village, you will undoubtedly see a cute country cottage almost entirely draped in this enchanting plant.
Wisteria can take a while to establish and may not bloom for five years or more so patience is key with this boastful beauty, but she is certainly worth the wait.
If you’re not so keen to have wisteria climbing the walls of your home, then you could instead train one up a robust wooden structure such as a pergola or archway.
Wisterias benefit from good soil and full or partial sun, the vines themselves ideally need at least six hours of direct light.
“If Wisteria is pruned twice a year by following the simple rule 7&2, meaning cutting back to 7 buds in July and to 2 buds in February, flowering can be maximised as well as keeping this vigorous climber tamed!” shares Roy.
5) Hollyhocks
- BOTANICAL NAME: Alcea rosea
- PLANT TYPE: BIENNIAL
- HARDINESS RATING: H5
- PREFERRED POSITION: FULL SUN
No cottage garden would be complete without Hollyhocks.
With their tall spires and bell-shaped flowers, hollyhocks are certainly not humble but rather announce themselves joyously, blooming from summer to early autumn.
Although hollyhocks are short-lived perennials and tend only to thrive for a few years, they self-sow at a terrific rate so don’t be surprised if you find them wandering throughout your entire garden!
Coming in a wide variety of colours and growing to up to seven feet in height, hollyhocks are perfect for the backs of borders; otherwise, they tend to upstage their fellow plants.
This old garden favourite is easy to grow and prefers a warm sunny spot that is sheltered from the wind.
6) Foxgloves
- BOTANICAL NAME: Digitalis purpurea
- PLANT TYPE: BIENNIAL
- HARDINESS RATING: H7
- PREFERRED POSITION: ANY
7) Columbine
- BOTANICAL NAME: AQUILEGIA
- PLANT TYPE: HERBACEOUS PERENNIAL
- HARDINESS RATING: H7
- PREFERRED POSITION: ANY
8) Larkspur
- BOTANICAL NAME: DELPHINIUM
- PLANT TYPE: HERBACEOUS PERENNIAL
- HARDINESS RATING: H5
- PREFERRED POSITION: SHELTERED; FULL SUN
9) Catmint
- BOTANICAL NAME: Nepeta cataria
- PLANT TYPE: HERBACEOUS PERENNIAL
- HARDINESS RATING: H7
- PREFERRED POSITION: FULL SUN
10) Bellflower
- BOTANICAL NAME: CAMPANULA
- PLANT TYPE: HERBACEOUS PERENNIAL
- HARDINESS RATING: H7
- PREFERRED POSITION: ANY
11) Peonies
- BOTANICAL NAME: Paeonia
- PLANT TYPE: HERBACEOUS PERENNIAL
- HARDINESS RATING: H6
- PREFERRED POSITION: SHELTERED; FULL SUN OR PART SHADE
12) Cranesbill
- BOTANICAL NAME: Geranium × magnificum
- PLANT TYPE: HERBACEOUS PERENNIAL
- HARDINESS RATING: H7
- PREFERRED POSITION: ANY
13) Sweet Peas
- BOTANICAL NAME: Lathyrus odoratus
- PLANT TYPE: ANNUAL
- HARDINESS RATING: H3
- PREFERRED POSITION: FULL SUN OR PART SHADE
14) Clematis
- BOTANICAL NAME: CLEMATIS
- PLANT TYPE: CLIMBER
- HARDINESS RATING: TYPICALLY H5
- PREFERRED POSITION: ANY
15) Coral Bells
- BOTANICAL NAME: HEUCHERA
- PLANT TYPE: HERBACEOUS PERENNIAL
- HARDINESS RATING: H6
- PREFERRED POSITION: ANY
16) Iris
- BOTANICAL NAME: IRIS SIBIRICA
- PLANT TYPE: HERBACEOUS PERENNIAL
- HARDINESS RATING: H7
- PREFERRED POSITION: FULL SUN
17) Asters
- BOTANICAL NAME: ASTER
- PLANT TYPE: HERBACEOUS PERENNIAL
- HARDINESS RATING: H6
- PREFERRED POSITION: FULL SUN
18) Snapdragons
- BOTANICAL NAME: Antirrhinum majus
- PLANT TYPE: ANNUAL
- HARDINESS RATING: H3
- PREFERRED POSITION: SHELTERED; FULL SUN
19) Yarrow
- BOTANICAL NAME: ACHILLEA
- PLANT TYPE: HERBACEOUS PERENNIAL
- HARDINESS RATING: H7
- PREFERRED POSITION: FULL SUN
20) Bleeding Heart
- BOTANICAL NAME: Lamprocapnos spectabilis
- PLANT TYPE: HERBACEOUS PERENNIAL
- HARDINESS RATING: H6
- PREFERRED POSITION: SHELTERED; PART SHADE
21) Honeysuckle
- BOTANICAL NAME: LONICERA
- PLANT TYPE: CLIMBING SHRUB
- HARDINESS RATING: H6
- PREFERRED POSITION: ANY
22) Penstemon
- BOTANICAL NAME: PENSTEMON
- PLANT TYPE: HERBACEOUS PERENNIAL
- HARDINESS RATING: H4
- PREFERRED POSITION: ANY
23) African Daisies
- BOTANICAL NAME: OSTEOSPERMUM
- PLANT TYPE: HERBACEOUS PERENNIAL
- HARDINESS RATING: H3
- PREFERRED POSITION: FULL SUN
24) Cinquefoils
- BOTANICAL NAME: POTENTILLA
- PLANT TYPE: SHRUB
- HARDINESS RATING: H7
- PREFERRED POSITION: FULL SUN OR PART SHADE
25) Prairie Mallow
- BOTANICAL NAME: Sidalcea
- PLANT TYPE: HERBACEOUS PERENNIAL
- HARDINESS RATING: H7
- PREFERRED POSITION: SHELTERED; FULL SUN OR PART SHADE
An Enchanted Cottage Garden
We hope this article has given you a solid starting point to help you jump right in and start designing the cottage garden of your dreams.
As you can imagine, there really are hundreds of plants that will fit effortlessly within this style, and there isn’t one rule of thumb.
The main thing to keep in mind is keeping the style informal, don’t be afraid to mix and match with both flowers and colours as this will help capture the carefree aesthetic.
Do take time to plan though – you want the flowers and plants to be bountiful, but you don’t want them to overshadow each other or thwart one another’s growth.
That said, a cottage garden is achievable for any garden, regardless of your ability or the limitations imposed by the size of your garden.
So get planning, get planting and before you know it you will have your very own cottage garden that will enchant both you and passersby alike for years to come.
