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.