Cottage garden ideas

Generous, closely planted and slightly untidy on purpose. A cottage garden earns its looseness by having hard edges and real structure underneath it.

AI-generated concept image

Light: Full sun
Water: Moderate
Upkeep: High
Colour: Pastel
Planting survives: −25 °C / −13 °F

Getting it right

Plant far closer than the labels tell you to — the whole look depends on plants leaning into each other with no bare soil showing. Put the tall things at the back and stake them in May, before they need it, because nothing rescues a collapsed delphinium in July. Then draw one hard line somewhere: a clipped edge, a brick path, a straight lawn edge. Without that single crisp element the border reads as neglected rather than romantic.

Plants that work

Botanical names are given first so you can order the right plant anywhere. Heights are for mature plants in open ground.
Plant	Type	Light	Water	Height	Hardy to
Shrub roseRosa (shrub cultivars)	Shrub · Deciduous	Full sun	Moderate	0.8–1.8 m	−25 °C / −13 °F
DelphiniumDelphinium elatum	Perennial · Deciduous	Full sun	Moderate	1.2–2 m	−30 °C / −22 °F
FoxgloveDigitalis purpurea	Perennial · Deciduous	Partial shade	Moderate	0.9–1.5 m	−25 °C / −13 °F
HollyhockAlcea rosea	Perennial · Deciduous	Full sun	Moderate	1.5–2.5 m	−25 °C / −13 °F
LupinLupinus polyphyllus	Perennial · Deciduous	Full sun	Moderate	0.8–1.2 m	−30 °C / −22 °F
Oriental poppyPapaver orientale	Perennial · Deciduous	Full sun	Low	60–90 cm	−30 °C / −22 °F
CatmintNepeta × faassenii	Perennial · Deciduous	Full sun	Low	30–60 cm	−30 °C / −22 °F
Cranesbill geraniumGeranium 'Rozanne'	Perennial · Deciduous	Partial shade	Moderate	40–60 cm	−25 °C / −13 °F
ColumbineAquilegia vulgaris	Perennial · Deciduous	Partial shade	Moderate	50–80 cm	−30 °C / −22 °F
Border phloxPhlox paniculata	Perennial · Deciduous	Full sun	Moderate	0.8–1.2 m	−30 °C / −22 °F
Lady's mantleAlchemilla mollis	Perennial · Deciduous	Partial shade	Moderate	30–45 cm	−30 °C / −22 °F
Italian clematisClematis viticella	Climber · Deciduous	Partial shade	Moderate	2.5–4 m	−30 °C / −22 °F