Cottage Gardens

Cottage gardening is an enthusiast gardener’s delight.

Putting it Together 

Relaxed and carefree, plants may spill over paths, drape over trees and buildings. Lawns are kept to a minimum. Many plants will self seed, there is always something flowering, filling spaces and leaving little room for weeds. There is a place for a rose around the front door and a corner for vegetables, fruits and herbs. It is a natural garden - a haven for birds, bees and butterflies. A cottage garden can be as big or small as you want. 

Plants for Cottage Gardens 

The following plant lists are a guide to getting started. The choice of perennials in particular for a cottage garden is enormous and climate requirements are broad, so observation of what grows well in your area will be beneficial. 

Trees for Structure and Framing 

• Crab Apple (Malus), Flowering Cherry 
• Magnolia (or any of the Prunus) 
• Olive, Silver Birch 
• Weeping Pear 

Shrub for Screening, Background and Shelter 

• Australian Mint, Buddleia 
• Boronia, Camellia 
• Ceanothus, Citrus 
• Daphne, Diosma 
• Ericas, Fuchsia 
• Hebe, Lavender 
• Lilac, Mock Orange 
• Rosemary, Roses 

Climbers for Adding Dimension and Atmosphere 

• Clematis, Hardenbergia 
• Honeysuckle, Hybrid Clematis eg Nellie Moser, H.F Young, The President and more 
• Jasmine, Star Jasmine 
• Roses, Wisteria 

Hedges for Structure and Formality 

• Abelia, Buxus 
• Camellia, Escallonia 
• Michelia, Lavender, Teucrium 

Perennials for Texture and Colour 

• Agapanthus, Campanula 
• Carnations, Cat mint (Nepeta) 
• Cherry Pie (Heliotrope), Chrysanthemum 
• Day Lilies, Delphinium 
• Dianthus, Foxglove 
• Hardy Geraniums, Gypsophila 
• Herbs, Iris varieties 
• Lavender, Pelargonium 
• Penstemon, Primrose 
• Salvia, Senecio 
• Swan River, Daisy, Verbena 
• Violets, Wallflower 

Annuals — Colour to Highlight Focal Points in the Garden or Containers 

• Alyssum, Aster 
• Begonia, Bells of Ireland 
• Candytuft, Cineraria 
• Cornflower, Cosmos 
• Forget-me-not, Floss Flower (Ageratum) 
• Hollyhock, Granny’s bonnet (Aquilegia) 
• Larkspur, Linaria 
• Lobellia, Love-in-the-mist (Nigella) 
• Impatiens, Marigolds 
• Mignonette, Nasturtiums 
• Nemesia, Pansies 
• Petunias, Pincushion (Scabiosa) 
• Phlox, Poppies 
• Primula, Queen Anne’s Lace 
• Salvia, Snapdragon (Antirrhinum) 
• Swan Plant, Sweet Pea 
• Sweet William, Sunflower 
• Verbena, Tobacco flower (Nicotiana) 
• Viola, Viscaria 
• Zinnia 

Bulbs, Including Tubers and Corms 

• Allium, Anemone, Bluebell 
• Crocus, Daffodil, Dahlia 
• Freesia, Hyacinths, Iris 
• Lachenalia, Lily, Ranunculus 
• Snowdrops, Tulip 

Landscaping Accessories 

Using structures and accessories that complement a cottage style will enhance your theme - the ‘old’ and ‘romantic’ style. 

Pots – Terracotta, glazed, stone. 

Ornaments – Figurines, sundials, dovecotes, seats, wooden wheelbarrows. 

Paths – Irregular pavers, old bricks, timber, gravel. 

Structures – Archways, summerhouses, wooden seats, potting shed. 

Boundaries – Dry stone walling, bricks, wrought iron, picket fencing, hedges.

Site Selection 

A warm, sunny, wind free site with free draining loamy soil will best suit the wide range of perennials and annuals. 

After Care 

Feeding soil with Tui Chicken and Sheep Pellets in early spring will set the soil up with adequate fertility for the growing season. Regular liquid feeding over the flowering season will prolong blooms. 

Water as required in summer. Mulch in early spring and autumn. 

Shrubs require trimming back after flowering. Perennials need dead heading (spent flowers removed) during flowering and hen trimming back when flowering is complete.