10 Charming and Quaint Cottage Garden Ideas We Love
Country gardens are charming, quaint and lush with greenery. Of English origin, they are dominated by flowers and foliage. But unlike their formal garden cousins in England, cottage gardens are a compact and intimate, if somewhat chaotic, mix of flowers, herbs, vegetables, trees and other plants.
Do you want to create a beautiful small garden, but don’t know where to start? We’ve rounded up 35 great small garden ideas to get you started.
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01 Plant Both Edible and Ornamental Plants
Country gardens should be both beautiful and functional. One way to do this is to grow both edible and ornamental plants. Garden designer Tim Pilgrim achieves this by layering vegetables, herbs, roses and other flowers in small but rich spaces.
02 Maximize All the Garden Space
When it comes to small gardens, maximalism is key. Gardener Libby Webb has planted almost every square inch of her small backyard garden with plants and flowers of varying heights, shapes and colors.
03 Install a Greenhouse to Work In
Although they are low-maintenance, even small, low-maintenance gardens require regular maintenance. Add a cozy greenhouse to work come rain or shine.
04 Build Stone Raised Garden Beds
Garden blogger Sarah Stiller loves the look of raised beds made of stone. Besides adding structure and charm to your garden, the sun also warms natural stones, creating a microclimate of sorts for plants to thrive.
05 Fence in a Vegetable Garden
Fences are practical, but they can also add character and charm to your small garden. Fence the vegetable growing area of your garden to keep unwanted animals out while making it a focal point.
06 Create a Private Dining Area
Create a private dining area in your small garden and enjoy conversations, afternoon tea and dinner surrounded by beauty.
07 Design a Paver Walkway
Decorate your small garden with a paved path that winds through lush beds of lavender, roses, peonies, foxgloves, red onions and other common garden plants.
08 Lay a Pea Gravel Path
Pea gravel is an inexpensive and easy-to-maintain material used to create walkways and patios. It gives a charming and cozy look to any small garden.
09 Install a Garden Fountain
This large garden designed by Emily Henderson features a quiet and decorative fountain.
10 Place a Beautiful Bird Bath
Invite birds into your backyard by creating a refreshing bird bath that will not only attract your feathered friends but also add height to your garden.