Discover 5 quick tips to create a charming cottage garden with practical advice on plant selection, garden design, and maintaining a cohesive, colorful look.

Creating a cottage garden is a great way to bring charm and beauty to your outdoor space. In this post, we’ll chat about five quick and effective tips to help you design and cultivate a picturesque cottage garden.

From choosing the right plants to incorporating key design elements, these practical suggestions will guide you in creating a lush, vibrant garden that exudes rustic elegance and invites nature into your yard.

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting, these tips will help you achieve a timeless cottage garden look.

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A garden scene featuring vibrant purple and pink foxglove flowers with speckled throats. In the background, pale orange and white foxgloves can be seen, along with lush green foliage and a partially visible fence. Sunlight filters through the trees in this vibrant cottage garden scene.

When I started gardening over 25 years ago, I wanted a cottage garden that would continually bloom. I started with a few flowering annuals, then progressed to perennials, then tucked in a few bulbs, and eventually added some flowering shrubs and trees.

So my love for cottage-style gardening has been an evolution. And it’s been a different experience every year because every season teaches me something new.

A few years ago, I closed out the season with a serious love for dahlias and gorgeous hibiscus flowers. So I decided to add even more flowers with cottage charm to the gardens this year. Which got me thinking about gardening and ways to add cottage style to the beds.

Do you want to learn how to grow a cottage garden? Follow these simple tips.

A vibrant pink zinnia flower in full bloom, with a detailed view of its layered petals and yellow stamen, set against a blurred background of green foliage and assorted flowers. The perfect plant for creating a butterfly garden.

Embracing a Thoughtful Cottage Gardening Philosophy

When we are talking about gardening, no two cottage gardens are the same. Every hardiness zone, every town, every neighborhood, every home…has its own microclimate. So what grows well in one garden, may or may not grow well in another.

We don’t know what will work in our gardens until we try it. Because gardening is one big experiment, I subscribe to the motel theory of gardening.

Have you heard of that theory before?

Gardening is very similar to a motel. Plants check-in. If they love the environment, they’ll stay. Other plants will check in and not love the micro-climate, so they’ll check out and leave.

And that’s OK. We don’t want them hanging around if they aren’t going to do well and look pretty. That doesn’t make us bad plant parents. Not all plants do well in our microclimates. That doesn’t make you a bad gardener.

So in order to learn, it’s important to try new things and stretch your knowledge.

goldenrod in the cottage garden

Understanding and Growing a Cottage Garden: A Beginner’s Guide

Cottage gardens are really unique. And the prettiest cottage gardens blend lots of colors, textures, flowers, and fragrances really well.

They tend to lack formality because there is less focus on spacing or height graduations.

Cottage gardens typically start with a formal structure like an arbor, birdhouse, fencing, or some other type of hardscaping feature. But then that structure is softened and accented with amazingly beautiful blooms.

And that’s where the fun begins.

A cottage garden is characterized by a charming, informal design and a mix of a variety of plants, that include flowers, herbs, vegetables, and fruit trees. It is often associated with the English countryside and evokes a sense of rustic, old-fashioned beauty.

It has a natural, relaxed look with plants growing in a seemingly haphazard manner that creates a sense of abundance together with a mix of colors and textures that are pleasing to the eye.

In a cottage garden, you will generally find a mix of annuals, perennials, herbs, and vegetables. Many cottage gardens also include fruit trees and bushes, like raspberry canes or apple trees. The plants in a cottage garden are often chosen for their beauty and usefulness rather than just for their ability to conform to a specific design.

They are easy to maintain and can be enjoyed by gardeners of all skill levels. It is a great way to bring a little bit of the countryside into your own backyard and create a beautiful, relaxing space that is perfect for spending time with friends and family.

Gorgeous cottage garden in front of garden shed in backyard garden - My cut flower garden in front of the shed in the backyard with a wood picket fence and sedum autumn joy - How to Save Money at the Garden Nursery
Cut Flower Gardening for Beginners

The Advantages of a Cottage Garden

One of the things that I love about a cottage garden is the ability to express your personal garden style through flowers and foliage.

Grow what you love. And combine colors and textures that are pleasing to you.

Some of my best plant combinations happened just by playing around with different colors, textures, and blooms.

It brings me a lot of joy and gives me something to look forward to during the doldrums of winter when I pour over plant catalogs and gardening magazines.

No two gardens will ever be the same. And in fact, even the same garden will look different from year to year.

To me, the biggest advantage is that it does not need to be meticulously maintained. So it’s totally OK if plants aren’t pristinely manicured or a few weeds pop up.

The cottage garden disguises those imperfections, so it is imperfectly perfect. And for me, that’s the way I love to garden.

An ornate stone fountain surrounded by vibrant flowers including pink, purple, and yellow blooms, and greenery in a lush cottage garden setting. clay pots are playfully arranged in the background with dahlias, snapdragons and larkspur, a great companion planting idea.

5 Quick Ways to Create a Charming Cottage Garden

Now that we’ve covered the basics of what a cottage garden is and why you should grow one, let’s talk about five quick ways you can create one!

Assess your garden area and decide on a location that gets ample sunlight. Cottage gardens can be created in various spaces, from small plots to larger yards but many cottage garden flowers need full sun.

Ensure your soil is well-draining and rich in organic matter. Take a soil test to learn what, if any, nutritional deficiencies your soil has before planting. Amend it with compost, leaf mold, and other organic matter to improve fertility and texture.

Start Small and Expand Your Cottage Garden

When beginning a cottage garden, it’s wise to start with a small, manageable area and gradually expand. This approach allows you to experiment with plant combinations and design elements without feeling overwhelmed.

Begin by selecting a variety of structural plants, such as shrubs and perennials, that will provide a solid foundation for your garden.

As you gain confidence and experience, slowly introduce more cottage garden flowers and plants, focusing on those that add color, texture, and seasonal interest. This method ensures a cohesive, charming garden that grows with your skills and vision.

dahlias for days in late summer in the cut flower garden

Choose Structural Plants for a Strong Foundation

Creating a sturdy backbone for your cottage garden is essential for achieving a balanced and visually appealing design. Start by selecting structural plants such as shrubs, small trees, and perennials that provide year-round interest and form the framework of your garden.

Consider using plants like boxwood, hydrangeas, and roses, which offer both structure and beauty. These plants act as anchors, giving your garden a sense of permanence and stability.

Once your foundation is set, you can fill in with smaller plants and flowers to add color and texture, ensuring a lush and cohesive look.

A lush garden filled with colorful flowers, including vibrant purple dahlia blooms, is bathed in sunlight. A multi-tiered stone fountain stands in the background, adding a touch of elegance. Tall trees create a serene, leafy backdrop under a clear sky. Dahlia 'Thomas Edison'

Add Focal Points to Enhance Visual Interest

Focal points are essential in a cottage garden to draw the eye and create visual interest. They can be anything from a beautiful garden bench, a birdbath, a vintage trellis, or a stunning specimen plant.

Place these focal points strategically to guide visitors through your garden and highlight different areas. For instance, a well-placed arbor or archway can frame a pathway, inviting exploration.

By incorporating focal points, you add layers of intrigue and charm, making your garden more dynamic and engaging.

An ornate stone fountain surrounded by a vibrant array of cottage garden flowers including aromatto basil, dahlias and zinnias in shades of red, pink, and peach, with purple basil in the foreground, set against a backdrop of lush greenery
aromatto basil and fountain in cut flower garden

Plant in Clumps for a Natural Look

Choose a mix of perennials, annuals, and biennials known for their informal, abundant look. Consider classics like roses, lavender, foxgloves, and delphiniums.

To achieve the informal and abundant feel of a cottage garden, plant flowers and perennials in clumps rather than single rows.

Grouping plants together in clusters creates a more natural and cohesive appearance, mimicking how they grow in the wild. Choose a mix of colors, heights, and textures to add depth and interest to your garden beds.

Clump planting not only enhances the visual appeal but also encourages healthier growth as plants support each other, retain moisture, and reduce weed competition.

Repeat Plants and Colors for Cohesion

Achieving a harmonious and cohesive cottage garden involves the repetition of plants and colors throughout the space. By using the same plants and hues in various sections, you create a unified and balanced look that ties the garden together.

Select a few key plants and colors that you love and repeat them in different areas to establish continuity. This repetition not only enhances the overall design but also provides a soothing rhythm and flow, making your garden more visually appealing and inviting.

A vibrant display of flowers, featuring bright pink echinacea blooms with prominent brown centers, interspersed with clusters of small white and pink yarrow flowers.
monochromatic pink flowers of yarrow and coneflowers

What Are Cottage Garden Flowers?

Cottage garden flowers are characterized by their informal, romantic, and abundant appearance. These flowers typically include a mix of perennials, biennials, and annuals that bloom throughout the growing season, providing continuous color and interest.

These plants often have a nostalgic charm and are known for their vibrant colors, fragrant blooms, and ability to attract pollinators.

I have many of the following blooms, but not all. Some don’t grow easily in my hardiness zone or are not readily available at my local nursery in spring. So I grow others from seed indoors, winter sowing or direct sowing flowers.

Some popular cottage garden flowers include:

By incorporating a variety of these flowers, you can create a lush, inviting garden that reflects the timeless beauty of traditional cottage gardens.

A vibrant garden showcases tall stems with budding pink and orange flowers, including growing strawflowers, surrounded by lush green foliage. The background features more greenery, creating a serene and natural setting.

About My Cottage Garden

My cottage garden is grown in New Jersey, gardening Zone 6b. We have very cold winters here and have the last frost date in mid-May. So tender plants like dahlias must be dug up every fall if I want to plant them again the following spring.

And don’t think for one second that the last frost date isn’t something you should follow. Because last year, we had a really bad freeze just before Mother’s Day! So be careful when you plant tender plants before that last frost date.

Luckily it didn’t affect my gardens too badly though. You can see how my gardens grew here.

close up of foxglove digitalis flowers

Cottage Garden Plants I Grow in Zone 6b New Jersey

The annuals and perennials I grow in my cottage gardens were chosen because they are easy-care, but provide a succession of blooms from spring through fall. And I just love how my garden continually blooms. Something is always happening in my gardens throughout the growing season.

To get my tips for designing a colorful garden that is always in bloom, read this post. Here is a short list of flowers that I grow in my cottage gardens.

Backyard cottage garden in front of garden shed -cut flower garden in nj in late summer

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Cottage Gardens

Curious about creating your own cottage garden? In this FAQ section, we address common questions to help you cultivate a thriving and beautiful cottage garden. Discover the best plants for a cottage garden, learn maintenance tips, and find out how to attract pollinators to your blooms. Whether you’re new to gardening or an experienced green thumb, these answers will guide you in achieving a charming and lush cottage garden filled with vibrant colors and textures.

How do I maintain a cottage garden?

Regular maintenance includes deadheading spent flowers, pruning, and weeding. Mulching helps retain moisture and suppress weeds. Ensure proper watering and fertilization for healthy growth.

Can I create a cottage garden in a small space?

Absolutely! Even if you have limited space, you can still enjoy the charm of a cottage garden through container gardening. Choose a variety of pots and planters to grow your favorite cottage garden flowers, herbs, and small shrubs. Group containers together to create a lush, layered effect and use vertical gardening techniques to maximize space.

By carefully selecting plants that thrive in pots, you can create a beautiful, compact version of a cottage garden on a balcony, patio, or small backyard, bringing the essence of a traditional garden to even the smallest of spaces.

What is the best time to start a cottage garden?

Early spring or fall is ideal for planting many cottage garden favorites. However, planning and preparing your garden bed can begin in late winter.

How do I attract pollinators to my cottage garden?

To attract pollinators to your cottage garden, plant a diverse array of flowers that bloom at different times throughout the growing season, ensuring a continuous food source. Choose native plants known for attracting bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Avoid using pesticides, as they can harm beneficial insects. Incorporate plants with various flower shapes and colors to appeal to different pollinators, and provide water sources like shallow dishes with stones. By creating a welcoming habitat, you’ll encourage a thriving pollinator population in your garden.

A serene cottage garden with vibrant pink flowers in the foreground and a butterfly perched atop. In the background, a green gate opens to more lush foliage and flowering shrubs.

Final Thoughts: Adding Cottage Garden Charm

Keep your garden healthy with regular watering, weeding, and pruning. Deadhead flowers to encourage continuous blooming. And be patient because Cottage gardens often take time to reach their full potential. Enjoy the process and watch your garden flourish over time.

Incorporating cottage garden charm into your landscape is all about embracing a relaxed, abundant, and colorful aesthetic. Start small and expand gradually, choose structural plants for a strong foundation, and add focal points for visual interest. Planting in clumps and repeating plants and colors will create a natural and cohesive look.

By thoughtfully selecting and arranging your plants, you can transform your garden into a picturesque haven that exudes the timeless beauty and charm of a classic cottage garden. Experiment with different plants and design elements to find what works best for your space and personal style.

If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please let me know in the comments below. I’d love to hear! And feel free to share this post with anyone you think would find it helpful too.

To drill down on more beginner gardening techniques and tips, please read these posts:

Thanks for stopping by the blog today!

Enjoy a beautiful day! xoxo

Stacy Ling bricksnblooms logo

close up of peony flower with wine and roses weigela flowers
close up of cottage garden flowers
Home and Garden Blogger Stacy Ling
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The bricks \'n Blooms guide to a beautiful and easy-care flower garden book by stacy ling
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14 Comments

  1. Great minds think alike. I love a cottage garden!I really enjoyed your thoughts on starting a cottage garden. And thank you for the shout out Stacy! It’s very much appreciated. Aren’t you excited to start gardening again? Can’t wait.

    1. I cannot wait for the 2021 season! I am planning out where I’m going to put the new blooms – I may add some raised beds in the backyard but my resident groundhog may be an issue. I am so excited to get started on this project! We will have fun with it. xoxo

  2. Stacy,
    I’m definitely saving this post because I’ll need it to kick start my flowers this spring. Thanks for your informative posts.
    Rachel.

  3. I love gardening and miss the ability to maintain one. In our old home I had beautiful gardens with many wildflowers.

    MS doesn’t give me the ability to have a garden in our new home. However, this fall I was able to visit our backyard physically since we’ve lived here.

    I’m blessed with a new drug. Why am I sharing this? I planted 175 Daffodil bulbs in front of our shed.

    It gave me hope and the ability to plant my favorite spring bulbs.

    Cindy

    1. That’s amazing! I can’t wait to see them come up this year! I planted a bunch too. I hope it keeps helping you feel well Cindy! xoxo

  4. What great photos you have there! And there’s also a surprise picture of the black dog, he’s so cute! Also, I love your garden; it already looks like a park. And the butterfly’s also pretty!

  5. You’re inspiring me to attempt planting some perinneals around my house. I haven’t had much luck laying out gardens successfully in the past. Pinned so I can reference your list of suggestions! Thanks for sharing.

  6. I live in Florida and find it very difficult to grow anything because of the heat I mean shrubs are all right but I’d love to grow a cottage garden I have a big backyard and I love to do that it’s just that the high humidity seems to rot everything any ideas????