I love cottage gardens, and have just wrapped up a project in Wellesley where we installed a fairly classic front yard cottage garden.
According to one definition, “the cottage garden depends on grace and charm rather than grandeur and formal structure”. This style makes me think of old stone houses in the English countryside with romantic, flowering gardens peaking out over low fences and walls. There is an element of softness, informality and even practicality to these gardens (they often mix ornamentals and edibles).
Cottage gardens are traditionally enclosed, either by a low wall, hedge or low fence. In this project an existing low white picket fence in the front yard was a perfect starting point for the design.
Inside of the picket fence, we installed two raised cedar vegetable beds. Cobblestone and gravel offer space to move around each bed, and define plant areas along the house and fence.
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| New Dawn Rose, a beautiful light pink climbing rose |
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| Nepeta and Endless Summer Hydrangea look beautiful against the granite and gravel |
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| Espalier apple trees have showy blooms in the spring, and will produce fruit in the fall |
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| A darker pink Knock Out Rose provides a punch of color along the side walkway |
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| May Night Salvia, Alchemilla and New Dawn Rose mixing along the picket fence |
We also included a number of flowering perennials and fruit that will fill out the garden with color and texture during the summer.
If you love the cottage garden look, try integrating some of these techniques and plants to create your perfect garden.
