‘We created cottage garden a from scratch’
Allison and Jon Tipping turned a bare, boring lawn into the perfect cottage garden that’s packed with low-effort planting
Moving to a picture-postcard cottage 15 years ago was a dream come true for Allison Tipping, although its garden was not the idyllic space she’d hoped for. It consisted of a wide expanse of lawn at the front and some shrubs at the back. ‘I wanted an easy-to-manage cottage garden, full of colour, with an unstructured feel, and different places to sit throughout the day,’ she says.
Creating distinct zones has been the key to transforming the featureless space. A path and low wooden fences now split the front lawn into two parts, each edged with colourful borders that cushion the garden from the lane.
Cottage-garden flowers, like ox-eye daisies, pink valerian, cornflowers, sweet william and lady’s mantle give the borders a random look. ‘I just try to put taller things towards the back, but other than that, I don’t plan it,’ says Allison. ‘I’ve gradually discovered what flowers when, and that helps me keep the colour going as long as possible. I look forward to the big, blowsy dahlias later in the summer. I don’t plan much. I just pop something in the ground and see what happens. The garden’s always changing and I just let it do its own thing.’
Enjoying her outdoor space is Allison’s priority, and there are plenty of spots for relaxing. Paving at one side of the house leads to a sheltered dining area kitted out with furniture painted in shades of blue for a breezy, coastal look. Allison made the seat covers out of fabric swatches from pattern books. Adjoining it is her sun room, a converted garage designed for crafting and relaxing, with comfy sofas and second-hand furniture.
Allison’s newest project is her vegetable plot, set in raised beds made from reclaimed sleepers. ‘I was keen to try growing my own and I’ve really enjoyed it so far,’ she says.