Welcome to the Cottage Garden Era
There’s something about cottage gardens that just feels right. A little wild. A little nostalgic. Entirely romantic. It’s the kind of garden that doesn’t try too hard—but ends up stealing the show anyway.
Popularized by English countryside charm and now romanticized by Paige Lorenze of Dairy Boy, Hannah Neeleman of Ballerina Farms, and the entire “get me off the grid” internet crowd, cottage gardens have taken root in modern backyards from Southern California to upstate New York.
No farm required. Just a little vision, a lot of personality, and the right plants.
What Is a Cottage Garden?
Cottage gardens are informal, densely planted spaces that mix perennials, annuals, shrubs, vines, and herbs. Think overgrown pathways, flowers tumbling over borders, climbing vines on fences, and edible plants tucked in with blooms. It’s layered, lush, and a little chaotic in the best way.
This aesthetic isn’t just about how it looks. It’s about how it feels: lived-in, loved, and low-maintenance.
How to Plan a Cottage Garden (Even if You’re a Beginner)
1. Ditch the straight lines.
Cottage gardens are all about softness and curves. Use natural pathways, round flower beds, and layered heights to create a sense of discovery.
2. Blend edibles and ornamentals.
Pair lavender with tomatoes. Tuck rosemary next to roses. Cottage gardens don’t follow the rules—they rewrite them.
3. Choose plants that thrive in your zone.
Look for heat-tolerant and cold-hardy plants depending on where you live. Good soil and full sun will take you far, but drought-tolerant perennials make it even easier.
4. Let it feel full.
Forget mulch-and-space perfection. Plant closely and allow blooms to spill and weave. This helps with weed control, too.
Best Plants for a Cottage Garden
Mix these up for height, texture, fragrance, and bloom power:
Trees & Shrubs:
Flowering Perennials:
Climbing Vines:
- Star Jasmine
- Climbing roses: Yellow Lady Banks and White Lady Banks
-
Honeysuckle
- Wisteria Vine
Herbs & Edibles:
- Rosemary
- Meyer Lemon Tree
- Lavender
- Blueberries
- Fig Trees
The Off-the-Grid Vibe (Even in the Suburbs)
You don’t need chickens or a sourdough starter to lean into the cottagecore aesthetic. Add a wooden bench under your tree. Plant flowers around your mailbox. Let a vine grow wild on your fence.
Cottage gardening is about grounding yourself in nature, even when your wi-fi signal is strong and your neighbors are six feet away.
It’s the visual version of romanticizing your life. And we’re all here for it.
Ready to Plant Your Cottage Garden?
Whether you’ve got a tiny side yard or a few open acres, a cottage garden can turn any outdoor space into a dreamy escape. And at Simply Trees, we’ll help you fill it with plants that are already halfway to thriving.
Shop online. Get them delivered. And let the magic grow from there.
