How to Plan the Perfect Cottage Garden

Plan a Cottage garden today and enjoy a spring floral show. Planning a Cottage Garden does not take a lot of work but will take a multitude of  inspiration and creativity. A Garden Cottage is  whimsical and naturalistic, and it speaks to you, “Come, stroll, stay a while”.
A good cottage garden plan will incorporate many elements, including a butterfly garden, a small water feature, curved  paths, quiet sitting areas, seasonal plants and a herb garden. Cottage Garden’s tend to be a free for all with a plethora of plants and colors and textures and not to mention all sizes and shapes. In a naturalistic cottage garden you will have something blooming all season with the most favorite traditional cottage garden plants being  hollyhocks, foxglove, four o’clock, delphiniums, daisies, coneflowers, echinaceas and last but certainly not least is the lovely roses.



The  steps in planning your  cottage gardens are listed below:

1. Make a list of the elements and ideas  you want in your cottage garden
2. Draw your cottage garden on paper (it is easier to erase than transplant)
3. Make a list of trees, plants and seasonal plants to buy
4. Garden by thirds, evergreens, deciduous plants, seasonal plants
5. Add some curving paths to your cottage garden plan
6. If you have room for it add a small garden shed.
7. Add some visual interest such as large pots or flower containers
8. Add yard art, such as Birdhouses.

Stroll with me in the garden and find some inspiration for your own Cottage Garden plan.

  Plan the Design

The Cottage Garden style is free form, but there are certain consistent elements in every cottage garden. Take a long look at your yard, and then draw a sketch of the perimeters and put your thoughts on paper first. It is a lot easier to use an eraser than re-digging with a shovel. Try to incorporate some soft flowing curves so when you are walking each little turn should bring a surprise. Plan your Cottage Garden to meander with curves. A curving walkway delivers more photographic interest than a straight path and accentuates the garden around it. Construct curves around points of interest like a scented tree or bush, boulder, and a lush floral container planter.

Plant the Large Trees

 
A good backyard landscaping idea is to use trees and stout bushes. They will   add a stately nature to the feel of your home while keeping it welcoming and   warm. They will give the yard the structure and the stability that it needs for a good backyard landscaping idea and design.
A small dogwood tree or weeping cherry lend height and width to landscape   and in the spring delight with visually spectacular blossoms. Deciduous      shrubs such as lilacs and tree peonies lack winter leaves, but their woody    structure holds interest and form in the winter and in the spring they excel.

Hardscape

Another good backyard landscaping idea is to use hardscape. This is the use of things like rocks, fences, and walls. These can make your yard look very interesting during all of the seasons. You can have climbing plants on it in the summer and spring and pretty trees around it that will look great in the winter. When looking for a good backyard landscaping idea you need to look for other options besides just plants. It is much more to landscaping than just plants and trees.
Walls and fences can frame your property beautifully and using them is such a great backyard landscaping idea because they will just accent all of your other wonderful backyard landscaping ideas. They will frame your yard as a picture frames a gorgeous painting. Look at this kind of backyard landscaping idea as well in your search for the one.

Buildings and Structures

If you plan to add a Garden Shed, now is the time to add it. Garden Sheds can enhance the appeal,  interest and usability of your Garden. They can be a simple design or a whimsical Cottage structure.



A Cottage Garden essential is the Trellis or arbor. Climbing roses or clematis will add height and scale to your Cottage Garden plan.   Powder Coated Iron Scrollwork And Lattice Garden Arbor Our intricately designed arbor makes any garden more special

        Seasonal Plants

These plants are typically the flowering plants of spring and summer, and a garden would not be a garden without them. They are considered the lifeblood of the garden border.  These seasonal plants come in an array of color and heights. When selecting these plants,   consider  their overall contribution to the garden in regards to the duration of bloom, when they bloom and their sense of place in the garden. If your aim is to have a naturalistic garden, then varies the seasonal plants the garden as to shape, height and foliage to give it a natural cottage garden appeal.

  Sitting Area

All Cottage Gardens should  have a quiet spot for reading and relaxing.. A solitary bench   or chair at the end of the path suggests “takes a seat and smells the roses” Wicker furniture   popular in the 19th century remains as charming today as ever.

Decorative or Antique  Ornaments

This is where you can let your creativity soar. Birdhouse and Birdbaths are an eye appealing yard art, but you can also use an old wheelbarrow, butterfly house, Urns, statues, Armillary, and old watering cans. The ideas are too numerous to list.