Fortunately, you do not have to live in a cottage to enjoy this type of garden. It is a style that blends happily with most smaller houses and bungalows.
The charm of the cottage garden lies in its profusion and apparently random groupings of colour and texture. However, the secret of success is a strong underlying structure and planting plan.
Garden structure
Plan the front garden to be welcoming as well as to set off your cottage or house. For example, frame the house with small flowering trees on each side, and grow a rambler rose or honeysuckle over trellis around the front door.
Traditionally, a hedge or a picket fence marks the garden boundaries, and a path leads from the gate to the front door. For an informal look, build a path of brick or paving and allow self-seeding flowers to pop up in the cracks.
Rear and side cottage gardens are often divided into separate areas linked with a path. Some areas, such as a vegetable patch, may be screened from the rest. Hedging is traditional, but trellis saves space and can support climbing plants.
Planting schemes
For narrow borders, place climbers and tall plants at the back and low-growing plants at the front edge. Wider beds allow a greater mixture of heights.
Take the location into account. For example, plant scented flowers near sitting areas and windows, and position herbs in a sunny spot near the kitchen.
Seasonal planting
Choose early bulbs such as snowdrops and crocuses to herald the spring. Plant anemone and daisy to flower throughout the autumn. Brighten up dark winter days with the fiery-coloured rosehips of old roses, and winter flowers such as Christmas rose.
Plant care
The great advantage of many traditional plants is that they need minimal care. Old-fashioned roses do not need pruning, just tidying up each year. Self-seeding flowers simply need debris removed in autumn. Thin out new plants in spring to ensure more vigorous plants, like marigold, do not take over.
Tall flowers like hollyhock and delphinium may need extra support. Tie them loosely to stakes or canes. But many flowers look attractive drooping slightly. Deadheading (removing dying flowers) will prolong flowering.
TIP - MIXED PLANTING
Planting vegetables and flowers together makes efficient use of a small garden and follows the true cottage garden tradition. Flowering herbs like thyme and rosemary, and unusual salad plants like curly endive and red lettuce, add scent and texture to flower borders. Decorative vegetables like real cabbage make an unusual feature. Use runner beans as climbers.