Better Homes & Gardens may receive compensation when you click through and purchase from links contained on Building your essential baking toolbox starts here! A tepee of scarlet runner beans not only works as an ornament in a blooming border but also harks back to the early aim of the cottage plot: to feed the body and the soul. Your kitty deserves a name as special as she is. They're essential to holidays and casual gatherings. Create the romance of a cottage garden with these simple tips. These structural elements also help define space and should complement the surroundings as well. 8 Essential Elements for Planning a Cottage Garden. Wander. To get the informal look, avoid planting in straight lines or defined patterns. BH&G is part of the Meredith Home Group. Hosting Thanksgiving dinner for the first time or need a quick refresher? While all these elements are commonly found in a cottage garden, the biggest rule is that you create a look you love. Foliage is important, too—in varying tones, textures, and shapes, which persist when blooming fades. Shown: Crisp white fencing creates a frame for a profusion of pink 'Cecile Brunner' roses, purple shrubby wallflower, and showy pink evening primrose. Shown: Wood poles form a simple overhead structure that supports climbing roses and wisteria and shades a pea-gravel patio edged with boxwood. 2 of 12. All rights reserved. For more Cottage Garden Plants. It adds to their charm. Historically, cottage plantings were enclosed to keep livestock out, and the picket fence is still... 2. Along with small trees and other shrubs, plant these early in the process to give them growing time. 8 Essential Elements for Planning a Cottage Garden 1. Many paving materials work in cottage gardens, including wood chips, stone, old bricks, and flagstone. A wisteria arbor might show the way to a hidden bench; a fruiting grape might wrap a pergola above a dining table. Watch and get inspired by these easy ways to create your own cottage garden. A gnat infestation is a common occurrence for many homeowners. They're usually filled with the same traditional favorites your grandmother would have grown. Some popular examples include peony, cosmos, foxglove, snapdragon, pansy, bachelor's button, columbine, bleeding heart, and hollyhock. Today, still eclectic and naturalistic, the garden is closely bound to the house it frames, which guides its layout and materials. You're more likely to find garage-sale bargains than high-ticket purchases in a cottage garden. Most cottage gardens have a romantic feel. Our Thanksgiving planning guide is here to save your holiday! Here, weathered wood poles provide a climbing structure for scarlet runner beans. Shown: An energetic mix of columbine, iris, and roses sprawls beside a tiny cottage. Cleaning your home doesn't have to be a daunting, time-consuming chore. See which names were most popular this year! Accessorize your cottage garden with antique or vintage items. Choosing a color theme, such as pink, purple, and white, or yellow and lilac, keeps borders from getting overly busy. Grab a glass of milk because we're about to dunk peanut butter cookies, oatmeal-raisin cookies, snickerdoodle cookies, and many more of our all-time favorite cookie recipes. What to Grow. Fences and Gates. Make your cottage garden into an outdoor living space by adding comfy furniture. Get the latest This Old House news, trusted tips, tricks, and DIY Smarts projects from our experts–straight to your inbox. Cheerful, informal design, packed with a casual abundance of plants, makes a cottage … You don't have to use the fence to create a boundary. Shown: Fruits and vegetables grow side by side with colorful shrubs and flowers in a typical cottage garden. In this review, the This Old House Reviews team delves into the best snow blowers on Amazon to help you find one that will help you get through the winter weather. Another way to work food in is with an apple or pear espalier—on a wall or as a fence. Cottage gardens contain a diversity of plants, delighting all the senses and creating a natural, relaxed atmosphere. Tips for plants, as well as non-plant items that add interest and color. To maintain order year-round, choose evergreens like boxwood, wax myrtle, or yew for hedging. We reach for them after school and after dinner. Groundcovers, such as creeping Jenny, bellflowers, or lady's mantle, are vital, especially in suppressing weeds and reducing maintenance. Since most edibles and blooming plants need sun, it's hard to reconcile making separate spaces for both, especially on a small lot. Snow blowers ease the burden of clearing your driveway or yard of heavy snow accumulation. Keep reading to learn how to get rid of gnats and how to prevent future infestations. These tips will help you make time for self-care for a mental health boost every day. Enchanted Garden: The Elements of Cottage-Style Landscapes Bold, bright colors bubbling with joyful tangles of flowers are the theme when it comes to cottage-style gardens and landscapes. Part of that feel comes from the flowers.