English/Cottage Garden Style
Blossoming in popularity during the Elizabethan era (1558–1603), English or Cottage gardens are marked by a tangle of informal, free-flowing ornamental and edible plants. Think charming plots of land brimming with rambling rose bushes, overgrown grasses and mixtures of flowery shrubs spilling out over stone paths.
“Some of the features you can typically see in English- and Cottage-style gardens include arbors, arches, fences and trellises,” says Paul Knapp, a designer and CEO of LandscapeArchitectural.com. “These structures are designed to not only compliment the garden but also the house and overall theme as well.”
Annie Guilfoyle, an award-winning garden designer and director of Creative Landscapes, teaches workshops for Garden MasterClass.org. She shares these ideas for capturing the much-loved English Cottage garden style:
- Plant informally, creating a random effect that looks natural.
- Choose traditional plants such as Alchemilla mollis (Lady’s Mantle), lavender, roses and geraniums.
- Add in edibles like apples, pears and pitless produce like strawberries or black currants.
- Minimize maintenance by selecting plants that aren’t susceptible to pests and disease.
This style is best in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 6 to 9.
