Modern Cottage Garden, The: A Fresh Approach to a Classic Style

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Add some productive plants among the profusion in a cottage garden design, such as a self-fertile dwarf fruit tree, vegetables and herbs. The key to creating a modern garden is to think outside the box (so veer away from the traditional lawn and narrow flower beds combo). Instead, focus on adding intrigue with water features, climbing plants, and darker fences – and try swapping your lawn for deeper beds, filled with structural evergreens, ornamental grasses, and maximalist flowers. What is a modern garden style?

The top five cottage garden plants recommended by the Royal Horticultural Society for ‘voluptuous planting and haphazard self-seeding’ are foxgloves, lavender, delphiniums, scented philadelphus and roses. The combination of soft and riotous planting with formal clipped hedges and decorative topiary works as a design contrast. A cottage garden is as quintessentially British as cream teas, the Royal Family and a strange obsession with the weather. Few sights are more impressive in summer than a chocolate-box house surrounded by a space brimming with roses, perennials and flowering climbers.Don’t forget that layout can also be used to make a small area seem much larger. Think about ways to use the art of hide and reveal. Planting for a cottage garden The three things to take into consideration, no matter what you decide, though, are as follows: create a space for friends and family to gather, for wildlife to take shelter, and for plants to thrive. Geum ‘Totally Tangerine’ whose soft tangerine flowers dance on fuzzy stems and is one of the longest flowering perennials at the nursery;

Symmetry adds a layer of sophistication to the cottage garden. Trees or structures are great for this – if you are including a pergola or a trellis you can train scented roses or sweet peas over it for a whole other dimension. Although cottage gardens look haphazard, some thought needs to be given to planning the effect. You are aiming for a succession of blooms that give a tapestry of color. The best plants to use are simple varieties that haven’t been overly bred, and are high performance while being tough and reliable. Note that the pergola posts will inevitably shrink and swell with changes in ground and weather conditions. As the installation proceeds, it is imperative all pergola posts are set vertical and remain in line at all times otherwise the pergola will not be structurally sound,' Leigh says.'A good spirit level must be used throughout the process to ensure complete accuracy.'

Small gardens

We have bats, buzzards, hedgehogs, bees and rabbits, and I encourage insects in my bug hotel. The other day I spotted what I thought was a fluffy kitten beneath the hedge and, amazingly, it turned out to be a polecat!” How do you paint flowers easy? Include plants that flower repeatedly, really earning their place when space is limited,’ suggests Rosy Hardy. Overall, creating a cottage garden requires a blend of careful planning and a relaxed approach,’ explains Georgina from Paving Superstore. ‘It's not about striving for perfection, but rather cultivating a sense of whimsy and nostalgia. By choosing the right paving, planting perennials and annuals, using traditional fencing and adding some sculptural interest and water features, you can create a charming and inviting space that captures the essence of a classic cottage garden.’ Dobbies Horticultural Director, Marcus Eyles, reveals his step by step guide for creating a cottage garden: Think of pots like you would furniture within the home," says Loades. "A simple container planted with three plants that produce eye-catching foliage, flowers, stems, and berries can look interesting and colourful all through the growing season. Patio containers often feature one plant in isolation but this is a missed opportunity in many cases, especially in small gardens."