May is such a lovely time in the garden, with so much greenery and lots of flowers growing. The birds are having a wonderful time, and with reduced road and air traffic noise (we’re on the Liverpool flightpath!), we can really enjoy their singing. We think there are lots of nests in our trees and hedgerows.

This month I have been taking stock of the garden, our activities and future plans.

While we are in ‘lockdown’ I have had chance to really think about the different areas of of the garden. I originally thought that my new ‘pool’ garden would be good as a Mediterranean garden as it is very sunny, but as I already have a nice herb garden with lots of Mediterranean plants, and the soil is actually quite cold and wet I have decided to turn this area into a cottage style garden instead! The garden is approximately 44 x 45 feet with a rectangular pool in the centre. There are already some trees, perennials, herbs and shrubs growing but I am going to add perennials plus some shrubs and roses to it.

I love the cottage garden style and have listed my favourite cottage garden style flowering plants at the bottom of this post.

Classes and Workshops update:

We have reluctantly decided that while there are no completely safe options for holding classes in person at the garden, we are going to cancel all of our planned activities for the rest of the year, provisionally keeping our dates for Christmas Wreaths in November and December.

We will refund everyone who has already booked and paid. We will continue to take reservations for the Christmas classes, but won’t take payment until we are sure they can go ahead.

Keep safe and keep gardening!

Chris

Cottage Garden Plants

Perennials form the basis of all great cottage gardens. Delphiniums, verbascum and hollyhocks add height at the back of borders, and foxgloves, lupins, phlox and achillea provide colour, movement and bulk at the centre. At the front, us hardy geraniums, lady’s mantle and shorter types of geum to complete your display.

Evergreen shrubs interspersed throughout your design will help to provide a long season of interest. 

Roses are the quintessential cottage garden plant, bringing colour and scent in summer. Hydrangeas are another favourite shape and come in a range of varieties, with blooms often continuing into autumn. Dogwoods are a common addition as a foil for flowering plants in summer, their colourful stems taking centre stage in winter.

Want to know more: this article from Saga magazine will help you to design and plant a herbaceous border

These beautiful flowering plants are top of the cottage gardener’s wish list:

Achillea
Aquilegia
Bellflowers (Campanula)
Daisies
Delphiniums
Dianthus
Dogwoods
Foxgloves
Geums (Avens)
Geraniums
Hollyhocks
Honeysuckle
Hydrangeas
Jasmine
Lady’s mantle
Lavender
Lupins
Peonies
Phlox
Roses
Verbascum
Wisteria