Traditional Cottage Garden Flowers
- Cottage gardens had their origins several centuries ago in England. The earliest gardens were found at working-class cottages and emphasized vegetables and herbs, along with some fruit trees, beehives and, sometimes, livestock. Flowers were used to fill any space leftover. According to the Royal Horticulture Society, roses and profuse plantings are two of the key design elements of cottage gardens. Other traditional flowers include hollyhocks, pansies, delphinium and clematis.
Roses of All Types
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Roses are the quintessential flower in the cottage garden.
Roses, all varieties, including border roses and climbers, are part of traditional cottage gardens. Rose arbors bring a romantic cast to the gardens and are often included in illustrations of cottage gardens. Roses have a reputation for being particularly difficult to grow. But don't be put off--just be sure to faithfully adhere to the rules and maintenance requirements, particularly pruning, for the roses you buy. Commercial repellents can fight pests such as Japanese beetles.
Hollyhock
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Hollyhocks have been making a comeback in many yards and gardens.
Alcaea or hollyhock is a tall plant, with flowers that range from flat disks to almost rose-like. Most soils are good for hollyhock, which thrives best in full sun and may need to be stalked, as it can grow several feet high. Because rust disease often weakens the plant after a couple of years, it's best to grow hollyhock as a biennial border plant.
Pansies
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Pansies are low-growing plants that come in a wide variety of colors.
Pansies are from a large genus of low-growing plants, with flowers that span every color but green. With the right care and correct choice of flowers, it's possible to have some variety growing in almost every month of the year. Any reasonably fertile soil, in sun or light shade, meets requirements for these flowers.
Delphinium
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blue delphinium 2 image by Evgenij Gorbunov from Fotolia.com
Delphiniums are tall, stately, spiky plants with white, pink, blue and purple flowers. Although pretty as a border plant, they are a little tricky to grow. Delphiniums require fertile soil that is well drained and thrive best with lots of sun. Plants need to be protected from slugs and powdery mildew. Cutting off the tips when the stems are one to two feet high will bring about bushier and shorter plants. When the main flowering season is over in July, the spikes may be cut back to induce another flowering in autumn.
Clematis
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Clematis, a climbing plant, is relatively easy to grow.
Most of the clematis plants available are climbers, which means they can be planted and left to wind themselves through objects like fences and lampposts. There are some clematis plants with weak stems that are suitable for borders and can be left to ramble over other bushes. Flower colors are white, pink, blue and purple. In autumn, the plant shows silky seed heads. Clematis plants need well-drained, non-acid soil, sun or partial shade, and the occasional pruning.
Lavender
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An herb, lavender was a prominent feature of many old cottage gardens.
Although an herb, many people prize lavender for its colorful flowers, as well as its scent. Also, it was traditionally found in many cottage gardens. The stem length and plant size make lavender useful both as an edging plant and back border plant. Lavenders need some sun. Sandy soils or clay amended for good drainage are good for lavender. As flowers die off in the summer, old stalks can be removed to encourage re-blooming.
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