by Melissa Manning

Created on: February 22, 2009

There are three main rules to remember in planning a cottage garden. The first is: tall plants in back, shorter plants to the front. The second: choose plants that complement each other in color and texture. The third: pack the plants in as tightly as possible.

The first rule may seem simplistic, but it is the most important. The plants in the back of the garden will provide a frame for the whole. They will also be tall enough to get sufficient light even though their roots are completely shaded by other plants. Picture tall, colorful, and dramatic hollyhocks, all together against a wall or fence. On each side plant shrubby flowers such as butterfly bush or vitex, or plant climbing roses on a trellis.

The next group of plants should be vigorous, medium-height plants. Russian sage, speedwell, nicotania, oriental poppies, yarrow, and pineapple sage are some good choices. Planting the flowers in groups will make a striking display. Taking into account the different flowering habits will extend the bloom for the whole growing season.

Nearer the front, use plants of alternating height and texture that will not hide the flowers behind them. Any of the many varieties of lavender will add texture, color, and a lovely scent. Other herbs for the forward areas include catmint, calendula, lemon balm, sage, rosemary, and santolina. Annual blue salvia is one of my favorite flowers, and I often pair it with zinnias, stock, or evening primrose. The very front is the place for sprawling plants such as nasturtiums, petunias, or the creeping thymes and oreganos.

The public libraries are full of books that extol the virtues of the cottage garden. If you are not familiar with these plants, or even if you are, a fun thing to do is take the spring garden catalogs and find old favorites. Then look at new and different flowers that share the characteristics of shape, color, size, and vigor, and make your own choices. Most cottage garden flowers like full sun.

Now choose your colors. I have seldom found any flowers that don't do well together, but I usually have a color scheme in mind when I plan a garden. I like blue and white, with accents of pink and shades of pale purple. I also have tried red and orange mixed in beds that feature zinnias and nastutiums, using the gray of sage and lavender as a foil. I surprised myself one year with a lot of yellow, working with roses, foxgloves, nasturtiums, and snapdragons. Texture is important, too; it is especially valuable at the beginning and end of the season, when the bloom is not yet full.

The cottage garden is usually crowded. Many valuable plants are perennials, which will increase in size year after year. This should be taken into account when starting the garden. In the early years, annuals such as salvia and zinnias can be used as filler around plants that have not reached their full size. Later, plants of different heights and bright colors can be squeezed in to brighten up an established bed. Think of a tall red cosmos against a white butterfly bush, or trailing jewel nasturtiums at the base of a bed of lavender. Contrasting plants can be in a pot set on the walkway or on a pedestal in the garden itself.

The very nicest thing about a cottage garden is how individual it can be. There are scores of plants to choose from. Themes can be herbal (and then cooking, medicinal, or aromatic), or color, or plants found in Shakespeare, or anything else that appeals. Sundials are a traditional feature, picket fences make a charming frame, and walkways, swings, and benches can be nice additions.

The other thing is - it's easy! Cottage garden plants are vigorous, tolerant, and rewarding. Sitting by a thriving garden, full of bees and butterflies, is your reward.

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