Cottage Gardens originated in homes of people with little money and little leisure time
These gardens are the opposite of formal gardens which had their origins in palaces and grand country houses.
Cottage gardens are characterized by their small size and, in the past, often had to share the space with the more practical: vegetables and herbs.
Many of the plants used are annuals – that is they have to be renewed every year – unlike perennials which continue to produce year after year.
When planning a cottage garden there is no need to confine yourself to ‘old-fashioned’ flowers. Grow your favourites and arrange them so that each sets off its neighbors: colours in contrast and harmony, rounded flowers set off by spiky ones or annuals mixed with perennials.
There is no need either to just have a planned cottage garden – you can use cottage plants in any style garden – to insert a little variation, for winter flowering when the perennials are dormant or not flowering
For example, blue and pink larkspurs and blood-red Flanders poppies look great together – a contrast in shape as well as colour.
Cottage annuals add a riot of color, shape and variety to a garden.
They can be planted in formal beds or simply snaked around and under perennials such as azaleas, roses, gardenias or even at the base of some trees.
Some of the best cottage flowers are
• Lobelias, Nemesia
• Foxgloves, Delpiniums, Hollyhocks
• Larkspurs
• Phlox, Sweet William
• Violas and pansies
• Stocks (great perfume!)
• Primulas (elegant)
• Carnations
• Marigolds (plant near vegetable plots if you have a rabbit problem)
• Salvia (blue, red, white)
• Cosmos, Impatiens, poppy
• Snapdragons, Zinnias, Dahlias, Cinerarias
• Bulbs – daffodils, jonquils, tulips, crocus (to herald in the Spring) gladiolas
Perennials that go well with annuals
• Gardenias
• Roses
• Azaleas
• Rhododendrons
• Hydrangeas
• Peonies
• Lavender
Annuals are available for both sunny positions, semi-shade and full shade. And, you add a flowering climber nearby such as wisterias, sweet pea and jasmine to get height, fragrance and a colorful background.
While traditional cottage flowers are the perennials and annuals of temperate 
climates, there is no reason why the style cannot be adapted to subtropical climates, using some of the perennial flowers and bulbs such as heliconias, daylilies, hippeastrums, cannas, crinums, even orchids, together with the many warm-climate annuals.
Don’t forget to squeeze in an arbor, bird bath and garden seat to complete your cottage gardens!
