Cottage gardens are known for their informal beauty, packed with colour, texture, and fragrance. As a gardening expert, I can tell you that choosing the right flowers is key to achieving that romantic, abundant look that defines the style.
Classic Cottage Garden Favourites
Roses, especially old-fashioned and climbing varieties, are a cornerstone of the cottage garden. Their blooms soften walls, arches, and fences while filling the air with scent. Delphiniums and hollyhocks provide vertical interest, their tall spires adding structure and drama to the mix.
Long-Season Colour
To keep your cottage garden vibrant from spring to autumn, combine early bloomers like foxgloves and aquilegias with mid- to late-summer flowers such as phlox, dahlias, and rudbeckias. This staggered approach ensures a continuous display that changes with the seasons.
Fragrance and Texture
Sweet peas, lavender, and dianthus bring both scent and charm. These plants work beautifully along paths or near seating areas where their fragrance can be enjoyed up close. Soft, airy plants like gypsophila (baby’s breath) help weave the planting together.
Planting for Abundance
The cottage garden style thrives on a “full” look—so avoid large bare patches. Mix annuals, perennials, and self-seeding plants to create a natural, slightly wild effect. Let plants intermingle rather than keeping strict borders.
Wildlife-Friendly Choices
Many cottage garden flowers, such as echinacea, cornflowers, and scabious, are excellent for pollinators. This not only supports local biodiversity but also adds life and movement to your garden.
By blending a mix of heights, colours, and textures, and letting nature take its course, you can create a cottage garden that feels timeless, welcoming, and full of personality.