by Denise Calaman

Created on: February 23, 2009   Last Updated: October 19, 2010

Cottage gardens have a unique look about them; a certain wild, haphazard look, as if the gardener just threw caution and seeds to the wind and hoped for the best. The most beautiful cottage gardens are created to look as if no planning went into them at all. However; most cottage gardens are actually planned with the utmost care and every detail is well thought of in advance of planting.

Cottage gardens were first used by peasants years ago in Europe, primarily in England, for practical purposes more so than aesthetic purposes. They grew herbs, used for their medicinal properties and often grew vegetable plants and fruit trees in their gardens. It wasn't until the 19th century that cottage gardens came into vogue, primarily to be aesthetically pleasing. Cottage gardens remain popular, and even today, cottage gardens in the US are most often designed to emulate English cottage gardens.

Cottage gardens have quite a different appearance from commercially landscaped properties. Aside for their "wild appearances" they are almost always adorned with stunning walkways, and beautiful additions such as simple fences and arbors. These beautiful additions add to the uniqueness and beauty of a cottage garden. Hardy plants such as hostas and different types of moss are allowed to spill out into walkways. Climbing roses curl around wooden fences and flowery vines such as wisteria and ivy grow heavily over arbors making for a showy, beautiful display.

Planning Your Own Cottage Garden-

Planning your own cottage garden is easy to do. Your own creativity will play a part in your garden's uniqueness and truly will make your cottage garden one of a kind. While your imagination will only add to the beauty of your garden keep in mind there are several things that make a cottage garden, a cottage garden. A true cottage garden will have a romantic, delicate look about it with vibrant colored flowers emitting their sweet fragrance all over the garden. Attracted by the garden's beauty and fragrance, butterflies, bumble bees and songbirds will frequent a true cottage garden, adding to its beauty and colorful display. Cottage gardens contain mostly perennials, although some gardeners may choose to also plant vegetables in their gardens. In many mature cottage gardens you will find a balanced mixture of perennial plants, shrubs, perennial vines and herbs planted according to color and size.

Cottage Garden Plants-

There are many different types of shrubs that you may choose to plant

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>