Cottage garden plants

Hi everyone. I'm trying to make my garden feel more cottage like. I got lupins, hollyhocks and aquilegias so far. What othe plants could i use that will fit in. Also, are there any great self seeders, to save me money

 

Delphinums are a nice, old perennial, and Digitalis (foxglove) although only a biennial do, I believe self seed fairly well.

For lower lying planting, how about scabiosa?

 

How about Pinks, Calendula(self-seed like crazy), Love-in-a-mist(another great self-seeder), Foxgloves and Nasturtiums. You only have to plant these once and then let the last flowers go to seed.

 

Astrantia (I believe some varieties self seed) - Hardy geraniums, climbing roses, poppies

 

Cornflowers are a must imho, also for lower ground cover things like catmint, London Pride, bugle. Marguerites are good (tho a bit thuggish), and you can't beat Phlox. We've got some gorgeous blue flowers in our new garden ... they look a bit like a large campanula, but aren't (big help that!).
You def. can't beat a nice cottage garden - and basically anything will fit in - beg borrow and steal whatever catches you eye! Look forward to seeing some pics once its up and blooming.

Anthony

 

I have for flowers verbascum, valerian, monkscaps(ie think thats its name), tall plants I only know as pixie-caps, larkspur, foxgloves, primroses and ox eye daisies. For some greenery amongst it all I plant fennel which can go mad and is just lovely swaying backwards and forwards, lemon balm (which from a little pot costing 50p is now 4ft thick and 3ft or so high). Marjoram which is just as thick growing so can cover a bare patch literally in one season and chive bulbs. I think the mixed planting really gives that cottage garden appearance.

And I scour the car boot sales looking for old tubs and pots and bits of (rubbish my hubby calls it)..interesting paraphenalia that all adds to the feel.





Anything and evrything can pretty much go in a cottage garden but you can save a load of money buy getting a soil test kit for a quid (sorry if you already have done that), I have lost count of the plants I lost in my previous garden by being arrogant and impulsive about what I wanted in a garden, instead of what the plants wanted.

 

I think cottage grdens are the loveliest ever. The only risk is that since so many flowers and plants traditionally associated with this gardens are small leaved and small flowered (comparitevely) these gardens often tend to look somewhat fuzzy and shapeless. LAy down a plan for a good clear lined structure before planting, adding strong structural elements, wether they are hardscape (arches, pergolas, paths, large pots, whatever) or plants (topiary, or some stunners, like lilies, large flowered creepers over archway or obelisks, large leaved plants). It will help a lot to make the garden "look alive", and it will keep the design discernible through winter when most of the flowers mentioned above (all of them lovely) are sleeping underground. Use simple materials: high teck is out of place here.

 

Oooh I forgot to suggest Alchemilla Mollis - not exactly vibrantly coloured, but looks beautiful in informal drifts (esp w. dew on the leave) and will grow almost anywhere! Particularly effective, I think, softening the edges of paved areas etc.

Anthony

 

Thanks everyone, a good long list there. I like the idea of softening pathways. Do these plants above die back in the winter or do the keep their leaves. Ideally I would like leaf in winter. Am I asking too much? Or is there a "super plant" for the cottage garden?

 

I think persicaria superba keeps it leaves in winter - don't think you will find an evergreen self seeder.

Sedum (I think that's what they are called) produce big flower heads which dry and keep their shape in winter (I leave mine on)

 

Perhaps for winter the holly bush and Ivy is an option. Holly can provide a bit of security as well as glossy dark leaves, and ivy ( an unfairly maligned plant in my own opinion) can cover a bare fence very quick. I have mine growing along my garden wall, I cut it back hard every couple of years or so and when it comes back the colour is lovely. Only neglected ivy looks a mess and it is a good hiding place for bugs over winter. My kids made a few "bug palaces" last summer holiday and we hide them in the ivy. Laurel too looks good, try the bay though as this one is slow growing-and you can use the leaves to flavour your cooking too.

 

most of the above will die down in winter and need deadheading etc. to keep them tidy - cottage gardens can get a bit labour-intensive! For late autumn/winter colour try something like the Ice Plant (sedum spectabilis), or Winter Jasmine makes a lovely splash of colour in mid-winter, and remains semi-evergreen.

Anthony