English Cottage Garden – Old World Meets New

The History of the English Garden

What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of English Cottage Garden? Traditionally this style uses dense plantings with soft textures and features both ornamental plants and edible plants. Unlike the potager garden which is more bold and formal, English cottage gardens are much simpler and can be adopted by any household and any size of yard. English gardens are often called “no fuss gardens” as it is based on a simple principle of layering. The colour combinations and textures are your choice. Hence, English gardens look relaxed and easy going. 

William Kent was the pioneer of the English cottage garden that emerged in the 18th century as a rebellion against the French formal gardens a century earlier. As a result of Kent’s work the Horticultural Society in England was formally established in 1827. Some famous English Cottage gardens include East Lambrook Manor Gardens in Somerset, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage in Warwickshire (Shakespear’s wife’s garden), and Hidcote Manor Garden in Gloucestershire   

When the idea of cottage gardens were initiated, it was by the marginal people from society who lived in houses made of little more than mud and thatched houses. Cottages were designed by small farmers, skilled craftsmen, and the artisans within the rural community who also owned the land. Boundaries were set to distinguish one cottage garden from another. The plants used to beautify cottage gardens were tulips, hyacinths, anemones, lilac and mock orange.

Typically, there were separate gardens for herbs and vegetables and also one for flowers. Traditionally, the women were in charge of most of the garden tasks. These gardens featured some plants that are still favourites in the style today, such as marigolds, holly hocks, lilies, carnations, roses and columbines.

In the 18th century the elite classes turned their attention to cottage gardens while the lower classes focused their attention to floristry skills.

Figure 1

English Garden Layout Design:

Usually the English Cottage Garden has layers that make gradual transitions. Larger plants in the background with mid-sized shrubs in the center and low growing plants in the front (Figure 2 classic example of plants ).

In Edmonton, we can layer tall plants like fox gloves, roses, and larkspur in the background. Small perennials like bee balm, false sunflower, cinquefoil, red osier dogwood in the middle. Ground cover could include plants like bear berry, ground thyme, woodland strawberry and  bunch berry. If you like a layer of annuals, lobelia  or carpet of snow would be a good choice for ground cover.

To ensure you have flowers every season, early flowering plants like tulips, pasque flowers, and alliums can be planted in front. Dwarf lilacs, and smooth sumacs could line the middle layer while junipers and spruce form the back of the garden and remains evergreen

Line/Shape

  • There are no hard, defined lines in the cottage garden. Similar flowers or colours are bunched together in drifts and clusters to create a natural feel. When the wind blows the plants sway in the wind’s direction creating a synchronal effect blending the sweet smell of the flowers.  
  • Use of brick and rock walls are a common feature in English gardens to provide some permanent shape. Picket or wrought iron fences can also help with shape and line. These structures can also help create shelter and provide a  warm microclimates for the plants

Rhythm

  • Repeated columns, water features, picket fence, and trellises can add to the rhythm of an English garden. Plants of the same colour or variety can also be repeated in patches to achieve rhythm. 

Colour-

  • Colours in the English cottage garden are often subdued and within a limited palette. Pops of colour are added by planting annuals and potted plants. While any colour palette works, English gardens tend to lean towards pastelles and limit the amount of colours to 3-4. They often lean towards monochromatic and analogous palettes 

Open Space

  •  Open space is often used to contrast with the busy plantings in this style of garden. Grassy lawns, flagstone paths, or gravel paths can help achieve this. 

Essential Elements in an English Garden

  • Plant in bunches to create a natural look
  • Plant a functional garden with flowers and edibles; intertwining beauty with function.
  • Sometimes monarchs would request fruit trees; so some royal gardens have incorporated them in their cottage gardens
  • Add old country charm with a trellis and climbing plants like Virginia creeper or climbing roses. Virginia creepers leaves change colour in fall adding to the beauty of the garden
  • English gardens could include some classic cottage plants like Delphinium, Hollyhocks, and peonies, to retain the old world charm
  • White picket fences usually adds a nostalgic feel
  • Seating arrangements that are is specific nooks hidden away to create cozy atmosphere

Figure 2

Tip: Alternate flower colours for contrasting effect example, poppies with lupins. The flimsy petals of poppy with sturdy lupin flowers is a great contrast. Grassy areas bordering pebble dark stones

References