Creating a Dream Cottage Garden
A cottage garden is a charming and informal style of garden that combines a variety of flowers, herbs, and shrubs. It’s known for its relaxed, natural look and vibrant colors. Here are 15 flowers that can help you achieve the cottage garden of your dreams.
Classic Cottage Garden Flowers
Roses
Roses are a quintessential element of any cottage garden. Their timeless beauty and fragrance make them a favorite choice. Opt for climbing roses to add vertical interest or bush varieties for a classic touch.
Lavender
Lavender offers a soothing scent and beautiful purple blooms. It’s perfect for borders and pathways, adding both color and fragrance to your garden.
Foxgloves
Foxgloves are tall, striking plants with bell-shaped flowers. They thrive in partial shade and add height and drama to any garden.
Colorful Additions
Delphiniums
Delphiniums are known for their tall spikes of blue, purple, or white flowers. They are excellent for adding vertical interest and vibrant color.
Hollyhocks
Hollyhocks are tall, stately plants with large, colorful blooms. They are perfect for the back of borders and add a touch of nostalgia to any garden.
Poppies
Poppies bring a splash of color with their delicate, papery petals. They are easy to grow and come in a variety of colors, including red, orange, and pink.
Fragrant Choices
Sweet Peas
Sweet peas are climbing plants with fragrant, colorful flowers. They are ideal for trellises and fences, providing a sweet scent and vibrant hues.
Peonies
Peonies are beloved for their large, fragrant blooms. They come in various shades of pink, red, and white, adding elegance to any garden.
Phlox
Phlox offers clusters of fragrant flowers in shades of pink, purple, and white. They are perfect for borders and attract butterflies and hummingbirds.
Ground Cover and Fillers
Geraniums
Geraniums are hardy plants with colorful blooms. They are excellent for ground cover and fill gaps between larger plants.
Lady’s Mantle
Lady’s Mantle is known for its soft, green foliage and frothy yellow flowers. It’s a great filler plant that adds texture and color.
Campanula
Campanula, or bellflower, offers charming blue or purple blooms. It’s a versatile plant that works well in borders and rock gardens.
Seasonal Highlights
Daffodils
Daffodils are cheerful spring flowers that herald the arrival of warmer weather. Their bright yellow blooms are a welcome sight after winter.
Asters
Asters bloom in late summer and fall, providing a burst of color when many other flowers are fading. They come in shades of purple, pink, and white.
| Flower | Bloom Time | Color |
|---|---|---|
| Roses | Spring to Fall | Various |
| Lavender | Summer | Purple |
| Foxgloves | Late Spring to Early Summer | Pink, Purple, White |
| Delphiniums | Summer | Blue, Purple, White |
| Hollyhocks | Summer | Various |
| Poppies | Spring to Summer | Red, Orange, Pink |
| Sweet Peas | Spring to Summer | Various |
| Peonies | Spring to Early Summer | Pink, Red, White |
| Phlox | Summer | Pink, Purple, White |
| Geraniums | Spring to Fall | Various |
| Lady’s Mantle | Late Spring to Early Summer | Yellow |
| Campanula | Summer | Blue, Purple |
| Daffodils | Spring | Yellow |
| Asters | Late Summer to Fall | Purple, Pink, White |