Starting a Cottage Garden (From Scratch)
Like clockwork, my mind starts wandering to garden dreaming this time of year. I suppose it’s innate in us to look forward to the warmth and vitality of spring after a long and dark winter. Honestly, one of the highlights of my year is seeing my crocus buds spring up for the first time. Anyway, this winter I have gotten delightfully lost in cottage garden planning. I am not sure how realistic my goals are, especially as a brand-new mom of 2, but I am determined to get my hands in the dirt this spring so I can reap the benefits for years to come.
Maybe I have jumped the gun — but I actually already placed my order for plants (!!!!). They are coming, whether I am ready or not.
I know a lot of prep work will be involved, and that is the non-glamorous part. This year we need to really tend to the soil and make sure that we lay the healthiest foundation for our plants. I have a relatively empty garden bed in the front of the house that I plan to use for most of my garden. I am envisioning a very layered, sweeping and wild (in a good way) cottage garden. I am using a recommended list from Better Homes and Gardens for long-blooming flowers and tailoring it to my yard’s size, pests, and sunlight.
The Plants I Sourced:
Aster, Raydon’s Favorite - pretty lavender-like daisies that will bloom in late summer to autumn, with hundreds of buds
Sedum Rupestre, Angelina - excellent ground cover at 4” high, apparently they are foolproof!
Sedum, Sunsparkler Dazzleberry - a groundcover pollinator that will offer a splash of crimson color with hardiness
Echinacea, Double-Dibbed Rainbow Sherbet - will be a tall plant, pollinator friendly with lots of butterflies and bees. Perfect for cut flowers and will bloom all summer.
Echinacea, Paradiso Mix - ordered a 4-pack of these for maximum color variety
Allium, In Orbit - will multiply fast, rising tall at 16”, they’re a standout! deer resistant and bloom all summer.
Nepeta, Walkers Low - this perennial will serve as a filler with its beautiful muted, purple tones.
Shasta Daisy, Crazy Daisy - these hardy daisies are frilly, with 3” of wild white petals that make for a great cut flower.
Thoughts, Concerns and Excitement
I am really excited to be documenting my cottage garden journey, and hopefully if all goes well this summer, I will embark on a new journey this fall with a mass bulb planting — but let’s not put the cart before the horse. I am really hoping that this long-blooming garden plan offers low maintenance while also giving some much needed cottage charm. My main concerns are drought and deer but overall I am very excited to look forward to our garden cleanup to get ready to get these beauties into the ground!
