Cottage Inspired Gardens

Cottage Gardens

Romantic, abundant, and full of charm. Cottage gardens embrace a relaxed, layered style, with flowers, herbs, and vines tumbling together in joyful profusion. They invite pollinators, delight the senses, and create a storybook garden that feels alive in every season.

This style appeals because it’s both beautiful and welcoming — a cottage garden looks like it’s been there forever, evolving with the seasons, full of flowers to cut, herbs to cook with, and wildlife to enjoy.

Design Touches

  • Abundance & Layering – Every space is filled, from tall spires at the back to groundcovers that spill over paths.
  • Vintage Details – Picket fences, stone paths, and birdbaths add nostalgic charm.
  • Vertical Romance – Trellises, arbors, and fences softened with roses, jasmine, or clematis.
  • Mix & Mingle – Flowers, herbs, and edibles blend together, not kept in separate “zones.”

Plants to Try (and How to Use Them)

Perennials for Structure

  • Foxglove & Hollyhocks – Tall spires for background drama.
  • Salvias & Penstemons – Heat-tolerant and pollinator-friendly.
  • Roses (Shrub & Climbing) – Classic romance and repeat blooms.
  • Echinacea & Rudbeckia – Long bloomers with fall color impact.
  • Japanese Anemones & Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ – Late-summer to fall interest.

Annuals for Color

  • Cosmos & Zinnias – Cheerful, long-lasting flowers.
  • Sweet Peas – Spring fragrance and climbing charm.
  • Pansies & Violas – Cool-season accents for spring and fall.
  • Snapdragons & Marigolds – Easy fillers with vintage flair.

Climbers for Romance

  • Clematis – Pair with roses for layered blooms.
  • Climbing Roses – Frame gates and fences.
  • Morning Glory & Jasmine – Fast-growing color and fragrance.

Herbs & Edibles

  • Lavender, Oregano, Thyme, Chives – Scent and flavor woven into borders.
  • Strawberries – Groundcover that’s delicious and ornamental.
  • Rhubarb or Kale – Decorative leaves that fit the lush aesthetic.

Container Ideas

  • Foxglove + Pansies + Creeping Jenny – Tall, colorful, spilling with charm.
  • Climbing Rose + Alyssum + Nasturtiums – Overflowing from a half-barrel with trellis support.
  • Cosmos + Zinnias + Lavender – A cheerful, fragrant summer mix.
  • Dahlias + Salvia + Trailing Verbena – Colorful abundance that lasts into fall.

Tip: Embrace mismatched terracotta, vintage metal tubs, wooden crates, or repurposed containers to enhance that authentic, informal feel.

Bay Area Adaptations

  • Heat & Drought Tolerance – Swap in salvias, penstemons, and gaura for tougher color that thrives in summer heat.
  • Soil Prep – Enrich with compost and mulch to retain moisture and keep plants lush.
  • Seasonal Layers – Plant spring bulbs beneath summer perennials, and add fall bloomers like chrysanthemums or Japanese anemones for year-round impact.
  • Pollinator Paradise – Choose single-flowered forms of roses, cosmos, and daisies to maximize nectar and pollen.

Why go Cottage?

Because it’s not just about flowers — it’s about feeling at home in your garden. Cottage gardens are joyful, ever-changing, and generous:

  • Wildlife-Friendly – A haven for bees, butterflies, and birds.
  • Seasonal Beauty – From tulips in spring to dahlias in fall, there’s always something blooming.
  • Practical & Pretty – Herbs, berries, and flowers mingle together.
  • Romantic Nostalgia – A timeless style that softens any Bay Area landscape into something welcoming and alive.