Tips for achieving the cottage garden look
● Use formal elements to bind the informal planting together. Think in simple terms of rectangular beds and straight paths in grass, gravel or reclaimed brick.
● Edge paths in groundhugging thyme and lavender for fragrance.
● Add height with standard roses, bay or miniature fruit trees trimmed into delicious lollipop shapes.
● Gradate border planting carefully, so shorter plants are not overshadowed by loftier ones.
● Use natural finishes for fences, gates, gazebos, pergolas and arbours.
● Maintain the garden by staking and watering during the growing season and cutting back and mulching in autumn. Plant ground-covering perennials to minimise weeding.