Short on time? Try these charming, low-maintenance cottage garden ideas with easy flowers and simple design tips for beautiful blooms.

Have you ever dreamed of a garden overflowing with colorful blooms, a charming haven that requires minimal effort to maintain? That’s the magic of a low-maintenance cottage garden. Imagine a picturesque blend of vibrant flowers, attracting butterflies and bees, without the demands of constant pruning, staking, or fussing.

In this guide, we’ll explore the design, plant selection, and care tips that will help you create your own beautiful and effortless cottage garden, bursting with color from spring to fall.

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What is a Cottage Garden?

Imagine a garden where vibrant blossoms spill onto winding paths, where the air is filled with the fragrance of roses and lavender, and where butterflies dance among a tapestry of colors and textures. This is the essence of a cottage garden—a charming and relaxed space that evokes a sense of rustic beauty and effortless abundance.

Unlike formal gardens with their strict lines and demanding upkeep, cottage gardens embrace a more carefree approach, allowing plants to mingle and intertwine in a delightful, seemingly haphazard way. This informal nature, combined with a diverse mix of easy-care plants, makes them surprisingly low-maintenance, perfect for gardeners of all skill levels.

black eyed susans with yellow flowers, sedum autumn joy and vibrant gomphrena flowers in the fall garden
It doesn’t get any easier to grow flowers than black eyed susans, sedum autumn joy and gomphrena.

What is the difference between a cottage garden and a formal garden?

To further understand the unique charm of a cottage garden, let’s compare it to its more structured counterpart: the formal garden.

FeatureCottage GardenFormal Garden
DesignInformal, relaxed, asymmetricalStructured, symmetrical, planned
Plant VarietyDiverse mix of annuals, perennials, shrubs, climbers, herbs, and even vegetablesOften focuses on a limited selection of plants for a cohesive look
MaintenanceLow-maintenance, embraces imperfectionsRequires more upkeep, pruning, and shaping
Overall FeelingCharming, whimsical, abundantElegant, orderly, controlled

Cottage Garden Ideas: Embracing Uniqueness

While the informal nature of cottage gardens is appealing, it’s important to remember that each garden is unique. Just as every gardener has their own style, every plot of land has its own microclimate and conditions. So, while it’s wonderful to gather inspiration from others, don’t be discouraged if your garden evolves differently. Embrace the individuality of your space and adapt ideas to suit your own environment and preferences.

What Makes a Low-Maintenance Cottage Garden?

Creating a thriving cottage garden doesn’t have to be a time-consuming endeavor. By understanding the key elements of a low-maintenance approach, you can achieve that beautiful, abundant look without sacrificing your free time. Here’s the secret:

Strategic Plant Choices

Opt for plants that are known for their resilience, disease resistance, and minimal care requirements. Look for varieties that don’t need staking, are drought-tolerant, and have a long blooming season. Some excellent examples include:

  • Black-eyed Susans: These cheerful yellow daisies are a pollinator magnet and require very little attention.
  • Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’: With its succulent-like foliage and rosy pink flower heads that deepen to copper in the fall, this plant is a workhorse in the low-maintenance garden.
  • Catmint (Nepeta): This aromatic herb boasts beautiful lavender-blue flowers that bloom for weeks and attract pollinators. It’s also drought-tolerant and deer-resistant.

Embrace “Organized Chaos”

While a cottage garden might appear a bit wild and untamed, there’s an underlying order to its design. Group plants with similar needs together, allowing them to intermingle and create a natural tapestry. This not only looks beautiful but also simplifies care.

A vibrant garden with various colorful flowers lines a paved pathway leading up to a yellow two-story house with white trim. The house has a porch with another neatly landscaped garden in front. Dense trees and shrubs surround the property under a partly cloudy sky.

Low-Maintenance Cottage Garden Ideas and Design Tips

Designing a dreamy cottage garden is a truly rewarding process. It’s like painting a living masterpiece, where you’re free to express your creativity and create a space that’s uniquely your own. Here are some low-maintenance gardening tips to help you design an enchanting old-fashioned cottage garden that speaks to your soul.

Choose a Mix of Flowers in Your Hardiness Zone

As we’ve discussed, one of the hallmarks of a charming cottage garden is the delightful mix of plants. Think of it as a friendly gathering of annuals, perennials, bulbs, flowering shrubs, herbs, and even vegetables and fruit trees! This creates a tapestry of colors and textures that changes with the seasons.

To get those creative juices flowing, I encourage you to explore different sources of inspiration. Pinterest and Instagram are great for visual ideas, while Google and gardening books can provide more detailed information. And don’t forget the value of connecting with fellow gardeners—they’re a wealth of knowledge! As you explore, remember to focus on flowers that are known for their easy care and suitability to your specific climate. If you’re unsure about your hardiness zone, you can check it out here.

If you aren’t sure of what cottage garden flowers work well in your hardiness zone, you can check it here.

Colorful flower bed in a charming cottage garden featuring pink dahlias and yellow marigolds in front of a garden shed with a rustic wooden fence. This blooming border is growing a cut flower garden in zone 6b
My Former Cottage Garden by the Shed Started Using the Lasagna Gardening Method
close up of foxglove digitalis flowers
Foxgloves

Cottage Garden Ideas: Include Evergreens

To keep your garden looking alive and interesting even during the quieter months, be sure to include some evergreen shrubs and maybe even a small tree or two. They provide structure and a touch of green when other plants are dormant. Plus, they’re a great way to fill in those gaps when your garden is transitioning between bloom times.

Consider a Carefree Cottage Garden Layout

One of the things I love most about cottage gardens is their relaxed, informal layout. It’s almost as if the plants decided where they wanted to grow! But even with this carefree approach, it’s helpful to have a general plan in mind.

Here are a few garden layout tips I’ve learned over the years:

  • Group plants with similar needs together. This makes watering and care much easier. Most cottage garden flowers love to bask in the sun, but you can also create a cottage-style garden in a shadier spot.
  • Plant in odd numbers. This is a little design trick that creates a more pleasing and natural look. I usually plant in groups of 3s, 5s, 7s, or 9s, depending on the size of the plant and the space I have.
  • Create a focal point. This could be a larger plant, a sculpture, or even a beautiful garden bench. Once you have your focal point, you can design the rest of the garden around it.

Add Vertical Elements

To give your garden a sense of depth and dimension, consider adding some vertical elements like trellises, arbors, or obelisks. These not only provide support for climbing plants but also create height and visual interest. Plus, they give your eye a place to rest as you wander through the garden.

gomphrena, rudbeckia, celosia, zinnias, lantana in fall cottage garden in new jersey gardening zone 6a

Use Natural Materials

To enhance the rustic charm of your cottage garden, incorporate natural materials like wood, stone, and clay. A classic picket fence can define your garden space and create a charming backdrop for your flowers. Stone pathways winding through the garden add a touch of whimsy and invite you to explore.

Create Pathways in Your Cottage Garden Design

Speaking of pathways, they’re a wonderful way to add structure and charm to your cottage garden. Gravel or stepping stones create a welcoming feel and make it easier to access different parts of the garden for maintenance.

Cottage Garden Ideas: Create a Seating Area

What’s the point of having a beautiful garden if you can’t sit back and enjoy it? Create a cozy seating area within or near your garden where you can relax and soak in the beauty you’ve created. A simple bench nestled among the flowers or a patio table with a view can become your favorite spot to unwind.

A lush garden featuring blooming flowers, a wooden anchor-shaped sculpture, and a gravel pathway bordered by greenery. In the background, there is an archway and more flowering plants, all surrounded by a verdant natural setting.

Plan Around Bloom Times

To ensure your garden is a symphony of color throughout the growing season, choose plants with different bloom times. Start with early-blooming spring bulbs, then add annuals and perennials that will flower in succession throughout the summer and fall. I like to plant summer-blooming flowers alongside my spring bulbs, so that as one fades, the other is ready to take the stage.

Cottage Garden Ideas That Personalize Your Design

While it’s fun to draw inspiration from other gardens, remember to infuse your own personality into your design. Choose flowers that resonate with you, have special meaning, or simply bring you joy. Add decorative elements that reflect your interests and passions. After all, the most important thing is to have fun and create a space that feels uniquely yours.

Cottage gardens are known for their vibrant and diverse color palettes. While you can certainly choose a color theme if you want one, a great thing about cottage gardens is they can be informal, natural, and even a little wild. 

Some of my favorite colors to include in blooms for a cottage garden include:

  • Soft pastels like lavender, pink, and baby blue
  • Bright, cheerful hues such as yellow, orange, and red
  • Plenty of fresh green in varying shades
  • White flowers to create contrast against colorful blooms.
Front yard cottage garden in fall with rubeckia and small birdhouse from Good directions with copper roof
A garden with tall sunflowers and various colorful flowers in front of a white porch with columns offers delightful cottage garden ideas. The porch, featuring a white railing, is surrounded by greenery, including bushes and trees. A tiled pathway is visible on the right side of the image. Close up of Seniorita Zinnias and sunflowers are easy flowers to grow

How to Grow a Low-Maintenance Cottage Garden

Creating a thriving cottage garden doesn’t have to be a time-consuming endeavor. By understanding the key elements of a low-maintenance approach, you can achieve that beautiful, abundant look without sacrificing your free time. Here’s how:

Choose the Right Location

Before you start planting, take a moment to consider the location of your future cottage garden paradise. Most cottage garden flowers crave sunshine, so aim for an area with full sun or partial shade. Good drainage is also essential, as soggy roots can spell trouble for many plants. Ideally, choose a spot that’s easily accessible and close to a water source, making watering a breeze.

Remember, not all plants are created equal when it comes to soil preferences. If your soil is heavy and tends to retain moisture, lavender might not be the best choice. To ensure you’re setting your plants up for success, I recommend getting a soil test. This will reveal your soil’s composition, nutrient levels, and any adjustments needed for optimal plant growth.

A vibrant fall garden filled with colorful flowers, including pink and yellow blooms, surrounds a decorative pumpkin. In the background, trees with early autumn foliage stand beside a white fence along a tranquil road under a partly cloudy, golden sky. This picturesque cottage garden captures the essence of the season. Fall flowers include lantana, celosia, rudbeckia (black eyed susans) and pumpkins in zone 6b new jersey

Start with Good Soil

The foundation of any thriving garden is healthy soil. Sadly, soil preparation is often overlooked, but trust me, it makes all the difference! Before you start planting, take some soil samples and send them off for testing. This will give you a clear picture of your soil’s needs and guide you in making the necessary amendments.

Adding compost and other organic matter, like leaf mold, is like giving your soil a vitamin boost. You can find bags of compost at your local nursery, but making your own is incredibly easy and rewarding. Plus, it’s a great way to recycle kitchen scraps and yard waste!

Cottage Garden Ideas: Plant a Mix of Annuals, Perennials, Bulbs, and Flowering Shrubs

To create a cottage garden that’s bursting with color and interest throughout the growing season, embrace the power of diversity! Plant a mix of annuals, perennials, spring-flowering bulbs, and shrubs.

  • Annuals provide instant gratification with their vibrant blooms in the first year.
  • Perennials are the gift that keeps on giving, returning year after year with their beautiful flowers.
  • Spring-flowering bulbs, like daffodils and tulips, add a touch of magic to the early spring garden with minimal effort.
  • Flowering shrubs provide structure, seasonal interest, and sometimes even delightful fragrance.
  • And don’t forget about small evergreen trees and shrubs for year-round color and structure.

Just remember to consider the mature size of each plant before you pop it in the ground. That cute little shrub at the nursery can turn into a giant in a few years!

A charming two-story house with beige siding and white trim sits behind a lush fall garden filled with yellow and pink flowers. A small porch with white rocking chairs is visible. A stone wall borders the cottage garden, adding a rustic touch to the picturesque scene. Vintage farmhouse garden includes with rudbeckia, hostas, sedum autumn joy and hardy hibiscus
zinnia flowers in the cottage garden

Consider Your Climate

Plants, like people, have their preferences when it comes to climate. When choosing plants for your cottage garden, be sure to consider your local conditions. Know your hardiness zone and look for plants that are native to your area or thrive in similar climates.

Native plants are a fantastic choice for low-maintenance cottage gardens. They’ve adapted to your local conditions over time, making them naturally resilient and less prone to pests and diseases. If you’re unsure about which plants are native to your area, reach out to your local cooperative extension or check the plant tags at the nursery.

Keep Up on the Weeds

Let’s face it, weeds are a fact of life in any garden. While we can’t completely eliminate them, there are ways to keep them from taking over. Regular weeding is essential, but here are a few tips to make the task less daunting:

  • Mulch your garden beds. A layer of mulch helps retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.
  • Plant flowers a little closer together. This creates a natural barrier that makes it harder for weeds to take root.
  • Apply corn gluten meal in the spring. This natural pre-emergent herbicide can help prevent crabgrass and other weeds from germinating.
  • Use newspaper or cardboard as a weed barrier. Layering these materials beneath mulch can effectively smother weeds.

Avoid using weed fabric, as it can hinder plant growth and make it more difficult to add new plants to your garden later on.

A vibrant garden with a variety of flowers including red, pink, and yellow blossoms. The garden path leads to a white house nestled among tall, lush trees in the background, creating a scenic and serene natural setting.

Mulch Your Garden Beds

Mulching isn’t just about weed control; it also offers a host of other benefits. A layer of mulch helps conserve moisture, protect plant roots from temperature fluctuations, and adds a polished look to your garden beds. Plus, as it breaks down, it enriches the soil, making it even more hospitable for your plants.

Water Your Cottage Garden Regularly

Consistent watering is essential, especially during the establishment phase and hot summer days. Water at the base of plants in the early morning to minimize evaporation and reduce the risk of fungal diseases. While I generally prefer to let nature take its course, I do supplement with deep watering during prolonged dry spells. Drip irrigation systems are a fantastic option for efficient, targeted watering.

Fertilize Annuals and Container Gardens

Annuals and container gardens are heavy feeders and benefit from regular fertilization. You can use a liquid fertilizer for a quick boost or opt for a slow-release fertilizer that provides nutrients over a longer period. I’m a fan of slow-release fertilizers as they require less frequent application.

Perennials, shrubs, and trees typically don’t need regular fertilization, especially if you’ve enriched the soil with compost and organic matter.

A lush garden with vibrant green foliage features tall sunflowers, white hydrangeas, and pink flowers in bloom. The background is filled with dense, green trees, creating a serene and colorful outdoor setting.

Deadhead and Prune When Needed

Deadheading (removing spent blooms) encourages continuous flowering and keeps your garden looking tidy. Pruning helps maintain plant shape, remove dead or diseased branches, and promote healthy growth. However, not all plants require deadheading or pruning, so be sure to do your research and understand the needs of your specific plants.

If you’re looking for truly low-maintenance options, choose plants that bloom for an extended period and don’t require constant deadheading or pruning. Some great choices include catmint (nepeta), salvia, sedum ‘Autumn Joy,’ and hydrangeas.

Monitor for Pests and Diseases

One of the joys of gardening is the daily ritual of walking through your garden, observing the changes, and connecting with the plants. This also allows you to catch pest and disease problems early on before they get out of hand.

Look for signs of insect damage, nibbled leaves, or any unusual spots or discoloration on foliage. If you encounter a problem you’re unsure about, reach out to your local cooperative extension for guidance. They can help you identify the issue and recommend appropriate solutions.

Attract Beneficial Insects

While we want to keep harmful pests at bay, it’s equally important to welcome beneficial insects into our gardens. Bees, ladybugs, butterflies, and other pollinators play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy ecosystem and ensuring the success of your garden. They also help with seed dispersal, contributing to the natural spread and abundance of your cottage garden.

close up of echinacea and coreopsis

Avoiding These Cottage Garden Mistakes

While cottage gardens embrace a relaxed charm, a few missteps can hinder their potential. Here are some cottage gardening mistakes to avoid.

  • Space Wisely: Resist the urge to overcrowd. Allow ample room for each plant to flourish and avoid a chaotic appearance.
  • Watch the Sunlight: Match plants to their sunlight needs (full sun, part sun, or shade) for optimal growth and flowering.
  • Nurture the Soil: Prepare your soil with compost or other organic matter to ensure it’s rich and well-draining.
  • Water Mindfully: Avoid both overwatering and underwatering. Check soil moisture regularly and water deeply but less often.
  • Choose Wisely: Research plant choices to avoid invasive species that could take over your garden.
  • Deadhead Regularly: Remove spent blooms to encourage continuous flowering and maintain a tidy look.
  • Vary Plant Heights: Incorporate a mix of tall, medium, and low-growing plants to create a visually appealing layered effect.

If you avoid these blunders, you’ll set your cottage garden up for success and enjoy a flourishing and beautiful space with minimal effort.

White and blue hydrangea flowers in the garden

Cottage Garden Ideas: Easy Flowers to Grow

After growing flowers for more than 25 years, I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know a wide variety of plants—some that demand constant attention and others that thrive with minimal fuss. Here are a few of my favorite low-maintenance cottage garden flowers that bring beauty and joy without requiring hours of upkeep:

Cottage Garden Ideas: Spring Bloomers

  • Hellebores (Lenten Rose): These charming early bloomers bring a welcome splash of color to the late winter and early spring garden. Their delicate, bell-shaped flowers in shades of pink, purple, and white often emerge while snow is still on the ground. Hellebores are deer-resistant and thrive in partial shade.
  • Creeping Phlox: This ground-hugging beauty forms a fragrant carpet of blooms in spring, perfect for edging pathways or cascading over walls. It comes in a variety of colors, including pink, purple, white, and blue. Creeping Phlox prefers full sun and well-drained soil.
  • Daffodils: These cheerful yellow flowers are a quintessential symbol of spring. They naturalize easily, meaning they’ll multiply and spread year after year, creating a vibrant display with minimal effort. Daffodils prefer full sun and well-drained soil.
  • Tulips: With their endless variety of colors and shapes, tulips add a touch of elegance to the spring garden. They’re relatively low-maintenance, but you may need to protect them from hungry squirrels and deer. Tulips prefer full sun and well-drained soil.
  • Baptisia (False Indigo): This native perennial is a showstopper with its striking blue-green foliage and spires of indigo flowers that resemble lupines. It’s also drought-tolerant and deer-resistant. Baptisia prefers full sun and well-drained soil.
  • Siberian and Bearded Irises: These elegant beauties add a touch of sophistication to the cottage garden with their sword-like foliage and showy flowers in a rainbow of colors. They’re also relatively low-maintenance and drought-tolerant. Irises prefer full sun and well-drained soil.
  • Peonies: These beloved perennials are known for their lush, fragrant blooms in shades of pink, white, and red. While they require some initial care to establish, they’ll reward you with decades of beauty. Peonies prefer full sun and well-drained soil.
Vibrant purple and white irises bloom in a garden. Wooden garden sculptures and lush greenery are visible in the background, along with neatly mulched flower beds and a mix of colorful plants and trees. The scene evokes a peaceful, well-maintained garden space.

Low-Maintenance Cottage Garden Ideas: Summer Standouts

  • Salvia: There’s a salvia for every garden! These long-blooming perennials come in a wide range of colors, from vibrant reds and blues to soft pinks and purples. They’re also drought-tolerant and attract pollinators. Salvias prefer full sun and well-drained soil.
  • Nepeta (Catmint): This is a must-have for any low-maintenance cottage garden! Nepeta is a workhorse, blooming for weeks on end with beautiful lavender-blue flowers that bees and butterflies adore. It’s also drought-tolerant, deer-resistant, and doesn’t require deadheading. I have a large patch of nepeta in my garden, and it’s always buzzing with activity!
  • Coreopsis: These cheerful daisies bloom their hearts out from summer to fall, attracting pollinators with their bright yellow and orange flowers. They’re also drought-tolerant and deer-resistant. Coreopsis prefers full sun and well-drained soil.
  • Echinacea (Coneflower): These native perennials are a pollinator paradise with their vibrant purple, pink, and white flowers. They’re also drought-tolerant and deer-resistant. Echinacea prefers full sun and well-drained soil.
  • Daylilies: These tough and adaptable perennials offer a wide range of colors and bloom forms. They’re also relatively low-maintenance and drought-tolerant. Daylilies prefer full sun or partial shade and well-drained soil.
  • Geraniums: These versatile annuals come in a wide variety of colors and bloom profusely throughout the summer. They’re also relatively drought-tolerant and easy to care for. Geraniums prefer full sun or partial shade and well-drained soil.
  • Zinnias: These cheerful annuals are a cottage garden staple. They come in a dazzling array of colors and attract butterflies and other pollinators. Zinnias are easy to grow from seed and prefer full sun and well-drained soil.
Blazing Star with a Swallowtail Butterfly

Cottage Garden Fall Favorites

  • Hydrangeas: These beloved shrubs offer long-lasting blooms in shades of pink, blue, and white. They add a touch of elegance to the late summer and fall garden. Hydrangeas prefer partial shade and moist, well-drained soil.
  • Rudbeckia (Black-eyed Susan): These cheerful yellow daisies are a cottage garden classic. They’re easy to grow, attract pollinators, and bloom for a long period. Rudbeckia prefers full sun and well-drained soil.
  • Alliums: These ornamental onions add a dramatic vertical element to the cottage garden with their tall, globe-shaped flower heads. They’re also deer-resistant and attract pollinators. Alliums prefer full sun and well-drained soil.
  • Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’: This reliable perennial is a star of the fall garden with its rosy pink flower heads that mature to a coppery bronze. It’s also drought-tolerant and attracts butterflies. Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ prefers full sun and well-drained soil.

This is just a small sampling of the many easy-care flowers that can thrive in a cottage garden. With a little planning and research, you can create a beautiful and abundant garden that brings you joy without demanding hours of your time.

zinnias in the potager garden on a gorgeous sunny day
Zinnias and dahlia flowers
A vibrant garden full of assorted blossoms, including pink petunias, red zinnias, and clusters of small white flowers, set against a backdrop of lush greenery and rolling hills. Both annuals and perennials are shown.

Final Thoughts About Low-Maintenance Cottage Garden Ideas

In conclusion, a low-maintenance cottage garden is a great option for busy gardeners who want to enjoy the beauty of flowers without having to spend a lot of time on care. By using perennial flowers, annuals, herbs, and even vegetables, you can create a colorful and vibrant garden that will require less maintenance than a traditional garden.

Some easy-care perennial flowers that are perfect for cottage gardens include black-eyed susans, sedum autumn joy, and coneflowers. Other tips for creating a low-maintenance cottage garden include using a mix of plants, planting in odd numbers, and incorporating evergreens.

With a little planning and effort, you can create a beautiful and low-maintenance cottage garden that will bring you joy for years to come.

front porch cottage garden with rudbeckia, sunflowers and gomphrena

For mor information about cottage gardening, please read this article from North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension.

Are you growing a cottage garden too? What are your favorite plants to include? Do you have any cottage garden ideas you’d like to share? Let’s chat about it more in the comments below.

I also shared some cottage gardening mistakes to avoid when planning and planting your garden in this article to help you dive a bit deeper into creating one with success.

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

Thanks so much for dropping by the blog today.

I hope you are inspired to grow your own cottage garden! Happy Gardening! xo

Stacy Ling
rudbeckia, gomphrena, sedum autumn joy, coneflowers and achillea are low-maintenance cottage garden flowers for busy gardeners
Garden Shed with Cut flower Garden nj in late summer
An outdoor dining area with a wooden table and wicker chairs is set on a stone patio surrounded by lush greenery and blooming flowers. String lights hang above, and a decorative fountain can be seen in the background, adding a cozy ambiance to the twilight scene.
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 and calendula, a great companion planting idea. Growing calendula in your cutting garden helps attract beneficial insects and pollinators for a healthy ecosystem.
'Senora' zinnias at sunset in the front porch cottage garden
close up of yellow bearded irises
Bearded Iris
close up of lavender flowers
Lavender flowers
A cozy home with light brown siding and a white-trimmed porch, surrounded by a vibrant cottage garden filled with fall flowers and green plants. A pumpkin sits on the lawn, adding a touch of autumn to the scene. The front porch cottage gardens include rudbeckia (black-eyed susans), alliums, garden mums, pumpkins, and cornstalks
close up of globemaster alliums and red knockout roses - easy care cottage garden ideas
A rustic iron trellis supporting climbing roses adds a touch of elegance to garden care, with a bird feeder hanging nearby, nestled among a variety of flowering shrubs in a low-maintenance cottage garden
Pink Climbing Roses: The Complete Guide to Roses Care
cottage garden with farmhouse
A charming two-story house with beige siding and white trim sits behind a lush, small cottage garden. Bright pink flowers and green shrubs line a stone retaining wall in the foreground. The house features a large farmhouse front porch with white railings and comfortable seating. Easy flowers include hardy hibiscus and sunflowers
A vibrant garden scene featuring a mix of easy flowers including a prominent magenta zinnia, white hydrangeas, and yellow-black-eyed Susans. A bumblebee is perched on one of the yellow flowers amidst lush green foliage. Blooms include benary's giant wine zinnia, limelight hydrangea and rudbeckia
Colorful planters filled with vibrant pink petunias, red geraniums, and assorted greenery are arranged on a pebble ground. The terracotta pots display intricate patterns, creating a charming cottage garden in pots against a natural stone backdrop. Supertunia bubblegum pink flowers are included in this container garden design
A vibrant garden features clusters of small orange flowers in the foreground, with taller pink and purple perennial flowers scattered behind them, showcasing a midsummer bloom. Lush green foliage and a hint of a stone pathway are visible, with blurred trees and a red car in the distant background. Coreopsis (tickseed), coneflowers and yarrow in small cottage garden - perennial flowers list that bloom in midsummer
Coreopsis ‘caramel creme’
closeup of limelight hydrangea flowers with tall phlox in fallWhy Aren't My Hydrangeas Blooming
small cottage garden near the front porch with yarrow, coneflowers, seniorita zinnias and more.
Home and Garden Blogger Stacy Ling cutting zinnia flowers in her cottage garden with wood picket fence in front of garden shed
Siberian Iris and yellow loosestrife
Siberian Iris
fall garden flowers like chrysanthemums, pansies, sedum autumn joy and rudbeckia in the front porch garden
my new cottage garden in front of wood picket fence that is painted green with a concrete planter. Garden is filled with flowers and green garden stakes with terra cotta clay pots on top
The bricks \'n Blooms guide to a beautiful and easy-care flower garden book by stacy ling
The Bricks ‘n Blooms Guide to a Beautiful and Easy Care Flower Garden
  • Have you never met a plant you couldn’t kill?
  • Have you dug around in the dirt with nothing to show for it except a sunburn and a sore back?
  • Do you currently enjoy growing flowers, but are looking for more tips and ideas to level up your gardening game?

Then the Bricks ‘n Blooms Guide is for YOU

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6 Comments

  1. There’s nothing prettier than a cottage garden and yours is gorgeous Stacy. Can’t wait to see what you do this year.

    1. I have been a subscriber for many years. I like your garden advice very much. However lately the ads are making it hard to read the article. I know you don’t have a lot of say about that. The cottage garden article had 27 pics of gardens and 46 ads plus some more pop ups.
      I’m not sure if others are struggling or not or if there is way to cut down on them. I know this a source of revenue for you. Any thoughts on this dilema?

      1. Hi Kathryn! Thank you so much for joining me for so long. I truly appreciate you being here and it’s wonderful to meet you! I’m terribly sorry you are having that experience and will look into it with the ad network. I appreciate your feedback so much. Enjoy a beautiful day! xo

  2. Hi Stacy – You are an encourager for sure. My health is not good and you inspired me to get out to my patio and clean it up. Didn’t take as long as I thought. This weekend I will tackle my side garden as it needs some attention. The patio looks so nice and peaceful now, and, thanks to you, I will gather true grit and continue on.
    On a note about advertisers, commercials about movies are a bit irritating, but once I get thru that maze, I don’t get a lot of advertisers.
    Blessings to you.

    1. Thank you so much Diana, I’m thrilled to hear that you are inspired to enjoy your patio more! I will look into the ads – appreciate your feedback!