20 Cottage Gardens that Inspire

All the wars of the world, all the Caesars, 

have not the staying power of a lily in a cottage garden. 

~ Reginald Farrer

Dear Cottage Friends,

It's been far too long since I've had a cottage garden.  I miss the reunion with my perennial friends each spring.  The tending and pruning and coaxing of each one into glorious blooms.

I long to get garden dirt under my fingernails again.  Hopefully, next year we'll be in our new cottage and I'll have a real garden.   For now I must be content with red verbena, purple petunias and white lobelia in a hanging planter outside our apartment.  

This month we've been partying outdoors at Every Room In The House.  Before the party ends, I thought it would be fun to join in with a Cottage Garden Tour.  So, put on your walking shoes and let's go.

Cottage Butchart Gardens photo by Ian Some Rights Reserved

This first cottage in British Columbia seems to be growing up out of the garden.


You'll notice I'm including the cottages in our tour.  Can we ever get enough of real cottages and the gardens that go with them?

Outside the South Cottage at Sissinghurst Castle Garden in Kent, England photo by JR P
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The colors in this garden echo the cottage brick.    

Main Garden and Cottage, Hamilton House, South Berwick, Maine photo by not on your nelly  Some Rights Reserved

Purple and orange steal the show in this South Berwick, Maine garden.

Tigers and Phlox photo by not on your nelly  Some Rights Reserved

Cottage Garden, Cregneash, Isle Of Man photo by Jim Lindwood Some Rights Reserved

Overgrown is perfectly acceptable in a cottage garden.  Stone walls and rugged wooden gates too.

Suffolk Constable County, Bridge Cottage photo by Sunchild57 Photography Some Rights Reserved

Of course a thatched roof works equally well.

Hoveton Hall walled garden cottage photo by Angie & Chris Pye Some Rights Reserved

Does this qualify as a cottage garden?  Typically a cottage garden spills over the walkway, and this one has a bit of a formal feel. Still, there's no denying that's a cottage and it has a garden.

Sudborough, Cottage Garden. 78/365 photo by Sunchild57 Photography Some Rights Reserved

Here's what I mean by spilling over the walk.  Love the hodge podge look of this cottage garden in the spring.  You just know there are flowers coming for those containers.

Williamsburg VA 5 12 13 photo by Andrea Schwartz  Some Rights Reserved

Every cottage garden needs Foxglove, Delphinium and Bachelor Buttons, as this one in Williamsburg, Virginia has.  I've been to Williamsburg several times.  The gardens there are wonderful.

Clematis1 photo by Chris Armstrong Some Rights Reserved

Clematis Humongous.  I guess it's happy in Wale's climate.

Cottage Flowers  photo by Jett Brooks  Some Rights Reserved

Pretty posies line a white picket fence outside this Washington state cottage.  

Little House photo by Jonas Tegnerud Some Rights Reserved

Yellow and green is the theme of the cottage and its accompanying garden.

Picturesque Alpine style cottage photo by Sue Hasker Some Rights Reserved

Here's a cottage and its garden in Derbyshire.  Would you classify this as a cottage garden?  Though it looks a little too planned for a true cottage garden, the arbor and wagon wheel give it a whimsical look.  Anyway, it's quite charming and deserves to be included on our tour, don't you think? 

A Cottage In The Country photo by Andrew Stawarz Some Rights Reserved

No denying this is a cottage garden.  There has to be a bunny in there somewhere.  

Wild Cottage Garden P708002.sm photo by Dana Some Rights Reserved 

Wild flowers make up this Washington state cottage garden.

Prospect Cottage photo by Mark Dyer  Some Rights Reserved

A cozy cottage with vibrant blooms in Kent, England

Lock-keeper's Cottage photo by Phil Norton Some Rights Reserved

This French cottage is bathed in ivy and flowers.

Jo's Garden Bampton, Oxon photo by Nik Stanbridge  Some Rights Reserved

A cottage garden just outside the back door of this English cottage.

Jo's Garden, Bampton, Oxon by Nik Stanbridge  Some Rights Reserved

It wouldn't be right not to show you its front.

English Limestone Cottage with Garden in full bloom photo by F. D. Richards Some Rights Reserved

The lush "Rose Cottage" garden.  Interesting side note:  Henry Ford purchased the Cotswold cottage in 1929, had it dismantled stone by stone and shipped to the U.S., where it now resides with its barns and fences in Greenfield Village, Dearborn, Michigan.

Cottage Garden photo by Maia C

Here's another view of the garden and cottage.

Traditional Landscape by Boston Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers Maria Hickey & Associates Landscapes
Imagine walking through these gorgeous blooms to the door of this Boston cottage.

Traditional Landscape by Chadds Ford Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers Wallace Landscape Associates

We end our cottage garden tour with this voluptuous garden in Philadelphia.

Thank you for joining me on this little cottage garden tour.  Which one is your favorite?




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Feathered Nest Friday

Cottage Gardens Perfect for a Stroll

In the Heart of London Photo by Christine: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bigpinkcookie/255420031/
Some Rights Reserved

Maybe it's because my own garden is covered in a blanket of snow. 

Or maybe the latest Burpee's catalog has inspired me.

Or maybe it's because today is hubby and my third anniversary.

Whatever the reason, I fancy a stroll through cottage gardens today.

"Agapanthus on Tresco" Photo by Rob 'n' Rae: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rob_cornelius/4878141683/in/photostream/  Some Rights Reserved.

I'm going to indulge myself, and take you with me. That is, if you want to come along.  

You do, don't you?  I thought so.

"Cottage Garden, Brittany" Photo by Torcell Trio: http://www.flickr.com/photos/stonechat/3452601620/
Some Rights Reserved

What's prettier?  The garden, or those blue shutters?

"Show Garden 'Chocolate Orange'" Photo by Adheds: http://www.flickr.com/photos/flora_and_nature_lover/6031352525/in/photostream/  Some Rights Reserved

Beautiful color contrast in this garden, don't you think? 

"Cottage Garden" Photo by Daryl_Mitchell: http://www.flickr.com/photos/daryl_mitchell/6573600819/
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The little white cottage adds architectural interest to this perennial bed.  I believe that's phlox in the foreground.  Pretty pink.

"Cotswold Cottage Garden" Photo By Maia C: http://www.flickr.com/photos/maiac/4965107627/
Some Rights Reserved

I love the patina on this sundial.  Paired with the delicate flowers the effect is very romantic.

"Cottage Garden" Photo by Rob 'n' Rae: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rob_cornelius/4679884276/
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This photo reminds me of a cottage garden I once planted in Illinois.  

"Stone House Cottage Garden 5" Photo by Tony Hisgett: http://www.flickr.com/photos/hisgett/4779872249/
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Imagine standing on the balcony looking down on this lovely cottage garden. 

"Stone House Cottage Garden 7" Photo by Tony Hisgett: http://www.flickr.com/photos/hisgett/4779891413/
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"Rosemoor Cottage Garden" Photo by Howard Stanbury: http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbury/3747037155/
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Cottage gardens can be soft and dreamy,

"Cottage Garden" Photo by Paula Bailey: http://www.flickr.com/photos/auntiep/4629640267/in/photostream/
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or bursting with vivid color.

"Faerie Land" Photo by Tairre Christopherson: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cttc/3481386559/in/photostream/
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"Garden Cottage" Photo by Bruce Fingerhood: http://www.flickr.com/photos/springfieldhomer/3649587614/
Some Rights Reserved

I have a brown cottage with white trim.  Now all I need is a stunning cottage garden like this one in Hood River Valley, Oregon.

"Cottage Garden in Tissington, Derbyshire" Photo by UGArdener: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ugardener/3479021553/  Some Rights Reserved

The pinks and reds in this Derbyshire cottage garden pop against the gray stone walls of the home.

"Rose Cottage Garden" Photo by Maia C: http://www.flickr.com/photos/maiac/2704068619/
Some Rights Reserved

A beautifully blended cottage garden.  Like a Monet painting.

"YIP Day 171 Garden" Photo by Paula Bailey: http://www.flickr.com/photos/auntiep/3646901343/
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Striking purple and yellow blooms.  So cheerful.

"Garden Walk" Photo by Maia C: http://www.flickr.com/photos/maiac/3885563310/
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This is very much a "planned" cottage garden.  Stone borders and walkways lend formality. 

"Pink Hollyhocks at Charleston Farmhouse Garden, Sussex" Photo by UGArdener:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ugardener/2727107825/ Some Rights Reserved

Pink hollyhocks always say "old-fashioned cottage" to me.  I do like them.

Well, we're at the end of our stroll.  Did you enjoy the cottage gardens as much as I did?  

Today is Valentine's Day, and I pray yours is filled with beauty and joy.

"Mottisfont Abbey Rose Gardens, Hampshire, UK | The best romantic rose garden in the world (1 of 20) | Garden seat framed by rose pergola" Photo by Ukgardenphotos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ukgardenphotos/6813960007/in/photostream
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