I am putting links here of my pics of my huge garden I worked on all last season. (the one I used 3 yds of mulch on).
It started out as this - http://davesgarden.com/tools/blog/viewimage.php?did=29201
Then it went to this (can't fit the whole thing in one picture lol ) - http://davesgarden.com/tools/blog/viewimage.php?did=37922
Now it's this - http://davesgarden.com/tools/blog/viewimage.php?did=45553
http://davesgarden.com/tools/blog/viewimage.php?did=45555
To me - It is just a huge area set aside for plants and I thought you all could give me ideas on how to make it prettier. I think it comes out too far, and eventually think I could use stepping stones through it so it looks like it has a path.
Maybe bring the outer edge back - when I have more areas ready for the plants that are there.
The summer before last we had trees taken out of that area and I wanted to make as much of it a garden as possible.
Right now it's like looking at a bed of mulch, but it should look a lot better when things get growing.
I never thought of my gardening style as cottage garden- but now that I've been looking at everyone elses's gardens here. I am thinking it is. :) 2007 http://davesgarden.com/tools/blog/viewimage.php?did=29186
2006 http://davesgarden.com/tools/blog/viewimage.php?did=21136
How do I make it a cottage garden?
I think you have a very good start of a cottage garden. All your flowers and leaves seem to be about the same size , texture, and color.. It you could add a plant for leaf size and another for flower size you would add a lot of interest. I like to have about 20% of my plants for texture or leaf color. Your sedum is a very good example of texture. This picture was taken June 21. The single most unexciting week in my garden every year. Yet there's still enough going on with the plants to make my garden interesting anyway.
Meredith, you're certainly off to a great start! And everything looks so neat and perfect through the process- I wish I could do that, lol. I agree with maozmom, some contrasting textures would be pleasing to the eye. I like to use a combination of mounding, spiky, and filler(things with little, airy blooms) plants in most plantings, along with a few flowers and plants with structural interest (like iris and lilies, topiary or weeping woody plants, or vines on an interesting trellis). I like to use blooming plants that offer something nice to the eye when they're not in bloom, like Siberian iris (the grassy foliage and seed pods are attractive all season) and daylilies too.
Looking forward to seeing how your garden develops!
Neal
maozamom, that is a nice combination :)
gemini, my mom always comments on how neat and spaced my plants are too. I always tell her it's only because everything hasn't filled in yet :)
Thank you both for the suggestions :) I have a couple different trellis I can add, and I really love iris. Problem is my soil is dry so I've been putting off getting some until I can get an area ready for them. I may have some siberian iris from seed this year and I did start some blackberry lily from seeds, so I can use those for the spiky leaves. I did try planting a lot of dutch iris 2 falls ago, and would you believe not a one came up? I don't know if critters ate them or if winter is too cold here for them. I also planted some daylilies last year and 2 out of three were eaten by something! Seems as though the critters have a different plan for my garden than me! lol
Meredith, I'm starting a cottage garden this year here in the Houston area, so my attempts are going to be different from yours.
This year - year one - I'm not too concerned about what it looks like. Rather, I'm experimenting with which plants will do well in my climate, in this particular location, how vigorously they grow compared to other plants, how much I really like them, etc. I have lots of individual plants or groupings of three plants.
Next year, - year two - I will add larger groups of plants, cull the plants that didn't do well, and then add more diverse texture, leaf color, shape, etc.
And I know I will rely on folks here to give me good advise. I know I just don't have the "eye" that some gardeners here have. I'm so envious of their talent. :)
Right now, I feel like everything is too similar and too disjointed (if that makes sense) and I am so tempted to pull some out, and add other plants, but I know this is the right way for "me" to grow my cottage garden.
I just wanted to point out that there's probably as many ways to plan a cottage garden as there are cottage gardens!
This message was edited Apr 29, 2008 11:09 AM
Oh, I'd love to start out all neat and orderly, with well prepared beds just waiting to be planted! When I moved here last year, I just had to get my plants in the ground in a rush, without defining the borders and getting it all mulched. It looked like pure chaos at first with stuff plugged all over the lawn, LOL. The last year has been about "connecting the dots" and getting rid of the sod between the patches planted. Finally its turning into meandering beds separated by sod paths. Friends just couldn't "see" what I "saw" till I got it to this point. I was lucky not to have a lot of soil amending to worry with; the soil here is good, so most things I could just strip the sod and plant (I do add compost to the beds, though).
I think how to start a cottage garden depends greatly on what you're starting with. I'd recommend broadening the idea of the cottage garden to include the whole yard, including the lawn. For me, lawn space is there to access and enjoy the garden! Here the big starting push has been to get permanent, woody plants in place to start doing their thing. Until most is filled with perennial plants, I'm using annuals to fill in the gaps, many of which are reseeders and behave almost like perennials in their reliable return.
Edible plants and herbs grown alongside ornamentals is a good way to achieve that cottage garden feel.
Meredith, here's my tuppence-ha'penny worth of insight, what always strikes me about cottage gardens is that it is a great amalgamation of plants, everything goes in - herbs for medicinal purposes, culinary herbs, and then plants that come from neighbours friends and family, and a few fruit and vegetables. And a lot of self seeders. The first year there is a measure of organization by the gardener - and then a frenzy of plant dancing breaks out for ever more. You do a touch of weeding, a touch of moving, but mostly you just harvest and enjoy.
with that wonderful space you have, just get planting. How about starting with a favourite rose, perhaps a climber on a trellis, and then go visit some friends and pick up some divisions and a few cuttings. Put in a couple of your favourite herbs (moroccan mint for tea?) and see what takes your fancy after that.
I found this article which gives some quite inspiring advice -
http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com/images/cottagegardendesign.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com/cottage-garden-design.html&h=930&w=608&sz=65&hl=en&start=17&tbnid=ebjNjFEhNCfQMM:&tbnh=147&tbnw=96&prev=/images%3Fq%3DCottage%2BGarden%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG
And another - the photo is from Great Dixter, the late Christopher Lloyd's home and garden
http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.englishplants.co.uk/cottage1.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.englishplants.co.uk/cottage.html&h=340&w=340&sz=162&hl=en&start=1&tbnid=Da4wdU8VuvjJNM:&tbnh=119&tbnw=119&prev=/images%3Fq%3D%2527english%2Bcottage%2Bgarden%2527%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG
And how is this for your path through the bed: http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.ottawahort.org/newphotos/2004/touraug10/21.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.ottawahort.org/gardentourjul21200410Aug2.htm&h=482&w=361&sz=81&hl=en&start=10&tbnid=vRSmPH8dutHf5M:&tbnh=129&tbnw=97&prev=/images%3Fq%3D%2527english%2Bcottage%2Bgarden%2527%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG
I think the whole idea of a cottage garden is its informality - to just let your love of plants and plant combinations come from your exuberance for planting. Have fun.
This message was edited Apr 29, 2008 4:48 PM
This message was edited Apr 29, 2008 4:49 PM
This message was edited Apr 29, 2008 4:51 PM
Jo - I am doing the same thing. I want to make sure certain plants grow well for me before I buy a ton of them and have them all die. Or see what the critters around here will gobble up on me. I don't want to plant an expensive dinner for them lol :) Even though it seems I already have, after seeing the losses this spring. Lesson learned, I say. The only things I already have a lot of, are stuff I started from seeds. It is very rewarding to go out today and see everything growing that was stuck in the ground as little seedlings in the fall. So far most everything is coming up. :D
I mostly just planted what I grew from seed in spots that were right for it, keeping the tallest things in back and shortest in front. Combining textures has been by luck if at all. I always end up moving stuff around, usually more than once too ;)Partly because I just want to get stuff in the ground, asap like gemini. Then when I have another area ready, I decide oh this will look good there. Hmm, it hasn't had much time to establish itself, so it shouldn't set it back any. lol
Luarie, I was typing when you posted, thank you for the links I am going to check those now :)
Jo, that's exactly what I did when I lived in Phoenix - it being a totally new and weird environment to me. I ended up with this after 2-3 years.... never did get a "scheme" down!
(Sorry to those who have seen this pic too many times...)
Pagancat, I think that photo is just lovely!
Meredith, one of the advantages to growing our gardens this way is that we get to experiment with lots of different plants. LOL
And I keep enlarging this border here, making the border deeper there, and adding more plants, moving plants around. I figure I need to stop moving them before the Texas heat sets in and sends them all into shock.
I have just a few "original" plants left from my garden last year - two roses, some white angelonia, lantana, agapanthus, a crepe myrtle, and a few cannas. I have lots of "new" plants this year. The roses are in the wrong place, and not the varieties I want in this particular border, but they are so healthy. I keep dousing them with water at 9:00 at night - thinking they'll get mildew - but they don't! LOL I guess they're keepers for now!
This message was edited Apr 29, 2008 4:21 PM
PC, I don't know if I have seen that photo before or not, but trust me it's WORTH showing! I love it, and thank you for sharing it with us. How is the new place coming along?
Ooooohhhh, Pagancat, the setting you've created there is so inviting! I can almost smell the Datura! Beautifully done.
Why thank you, all! It was kind of a strange yard for Phoenix, in one of the old agricultural areas that still had flood irrigation, but I was about as xeric as I could be. Neal, that Datura ended up being the Mother Of All Datura - spread everywhere and would treat us to at least a couple of nights per year of over 100 blooms.
The new place is coming into shape - just put in a veggie garden (DH went out and rented a Bobcat, so there went my ideas of raised beds, but he did a great job!). My mum has moved in with us as of the past month, so it's all happening a little faster than usual, nothing like a live-in gardening buddy. Now if the weather would just make up it's mind....
So, Meredith, my only advice is more is better!
Hi Meredith!
"How do I make it a Cottage Garden?"
The thing is, I was surprised to see the picture of the perfect area...I know I saw pictures of your Jacob Cline Red Monarda in Plant Files or on one of the threads and the area was a little more wild, with a lot more self sown (or self sown-looking) plants in the background. It was a Cottage Garden...maybe the mulch is confusing me. It makes it look more landscaped. More polished. The thing is, it that's the kind of house and neighborhood you live in, then that's really what's in keeping with the area. Just let that Monarda go a couple years and let some of the seedlings stay and grow, and you'll be in business.
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/showimage/162122/
Who owns the plants going across the photo in the background? That looks pretty cottagey. Add a rose and you're good to go. I am pretty sure you just need a little bit of time or a couple packs of mixed annual seed, some peppers and tomatoes, for the outside perimeters. :)
Suzy
Suzy, the plants in the background are the neighbors across the street. lol I'll tell her to add a rose. JK
I think the mulch is making it look too neat, I have to mulch because of my dry sandy soil. I usually start out with a lot of mulch and then as I do my thing all season it ends up thin and bare in spots. So things were still able to self seed. :)
I can't wait until everything gets growing. It shouldn't look polished once everything starts growing, because there are so many plants in there you hopefully won't be able to see the mulch! :)
I really didn't plan on a cottage garden, I was just trying to plant stuff for the butterflies and hummingbirds. Then after looking at pics here I dedcided I have some cottage style to me. I must have inherited it from my mom lol. :) I think it's more the front area that looks cottagey, but now with everyones input maybe even that's a little too neat :) I can't help it it's almost like obsessive compulsive disorder ;)
Maybe my next area, I will be working on this year, will be totally cottage style with everyones help.I definitely don't have the eye for the whole texture thing, so maybe I'll post a list of everything I'm growing and see if you all can help me figure out what to plant and where :D
I don't think I'll be able to do everything I want this year, but I want to put a big pergola to hang a hammock under in the back of the area, and do a birdbath in view from it, with paths and different sections of gardens between. Almost like
this http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/fp.php?pid=2922332
This message was edited May 1, 2008 8:59 AM
Here is a picture of the area. The big pile from cutting down trees is a problem, I keep bugging dh to do something with it so I can start working there. If I must I will work around it, but I'm hoping he will have it gone soon!
Here is a picture of the area that looks like a giant mulch area - last summer. Hopefully you can see what I mean about everything growing and hiding the mulch and making it look not so neat ;)
This area http://davesgarden.com/tools/blog/viewimage.php?did=29186 has alot less going on in the spring but as the season progresses there is alot more happenin. :)
Here is another pic. off to the left of the previous. (Please don't mind the old blinds and the peeling paint, we just bought a five gal. bucket to fix that peeling paint problem) lol
I think you have quite a bit going on there! I'm anxious to see what it looks like in a few weeks. :)
I have a prayer request on the prayer board for anyone who would like to pray.
Thanks.
You have a great start and good advice here. I think that cottage is less formal, many different heights and colors. Nothing in a straight line military style. I like lots of plants that reseed and scatter so the yard is a bit different every year. Rock edging and flagstone paths. Bird feeders and baths. Just fun and pretty! Not a great photo, but one I just took today. Click on my member name to see more photos of my garden if you want! ; )
edited to say Pagan--I totally love that photo, I have not seen it before!
This message was edited May 2, 2008 2:32 PM
Cactus I looked at your pictures, your kitties are all beautiful! I love the picture of the one drinking from the hose while your watering. :) All your plants are gorgeous! I fell in love with that red penstemon. Probably not hardy enough for me to grow though.
Meredith--love your garden project and I hope you keep giving us some progress photos!
Here's my thought (for whatever it's worth--how about some stepping stones through your big island bed to a nice big arbor (did someone already mention that?) with two complementary vines on it--like a vining eggplant/squash sort of thing along with a clematis, rose, or honeysuckle. Then create the cottage garden around that?
And I know you're planting for the butterflies and hummingbirds--Cannas would give you structure and height and pair them up with zinnias, verbena bonarienses, and...? HBs would love it. BFs too.
Love your big big space and the pretty gardens around your home! t.
You know Meredith, Tab's idea is the perfect solution. The height of something that is there year-'round would really look good. An arbor and path, plus something like an evergreen shrub. The path can be made out of nearly anything, just a different color and texture from the mulch. It would give you the order you need, but make it look cottagey. You could add a Clematis with a trellis, a Shepherd's crook with hummer feeder, or even an old iron gate or panel of fencing. I only say that because the area is so big, but chances are you wouldn't need anything but the arbor and path and an evergreen.
I have such mixed feelings about that great woodpile. It is home and protection to so many things, including your beloved butterflies. How about if you make this one the more disorganized and carefree area. Put things in that can be easily replaced, or that replace themselves. Plant your plants, but then leave a real wide path through there to get the wood in and out as it comes down. Along the path put your thugs: Monarda, Obedient plant , Purple Coneflower, and other things that you know will be struck down by passing dead limbs as they get dragged back there, but that you also know will come back fine and dandy. Instead of doing so many perennials, you can put self-sowing things like Orange Cosmos, Purple Verbena, and well, I don't have a good list because I am still trying to figure it out, but it would be more of a meadow-look than a front garden-look.
I guess I like the woodpile, and you know anybody who lives on any kind of wooded lot has one. I have several as a matter of fact, just so they don't get so tall. I have a hard time getting branches up over my head :)). Unless you're worried about termites. If that's the case, then move it farther from the house, or get rid of it.
Suzy
All good ideas. One thing for sure a garden, and especially a cottage garden is always "in progress" actually I think that is most of my reason for wanting my front courtyard planted this way, so I can always add plants! Thanks Meredith, my cats get supervised visits so we can still have the birds. I love taking photos of them in the garden and it is just icing on the cake if you enjoyed the photos! ; )
I definitely like the stepping stone idea, I need somewhere to walk to pull weeds. The arbor idea I want for my new area, I will start this season. I love all your ideas, If there is any room in there, when things get growin, I will add some of those.
Suzy, I am worried about hibernating butterflies being in there too. Although, I don't think you can tell by the picture just how big this sucker is! lol It's like 30' wide and and at least 7' high! It is all the limbs of 30 - 60ft pine trees we had cut down. By the time we get to it, all the b's should have already emerged from hibernation. I am willing to leave them other stick piles they can live in that don't eat up so much space and are in less desirable spots, this area is the best spot in my yard as far as full sun go, and I could be planting host and nectar plants (and I want the area for edibles). My husband tried selling me on that same idea, and it almost worked. He said he'd put dirt over it so I could plant wildflowers all on it. Maybe I will be swayed ;) I told him that would be cool for the kids in winter too, for sledding. I just wish it was in the other corner of the yard! : )
Merideth..............I agree with the others who suggested an arbor or some other sort of structure with a flagstone path leading to it. It would anchor the bed and serve as a strong focal point. Your bed is certainly large enough to allow this. I built a large bed 3 or 4 years ago. I edged it with stone and then added an arbor with a stone bench and pathway. Here's a photo taken during construction.
early_bloomer
I was really surprised how quickly the bed filled in. I believe I built in in autumn of 04 and this photo was taken the following summer of 05.
early_bloomer
Mmm, mmm, mmm. Bee-you-tee-full, Early!
Here's how it looked in Sept of last year. My gardening style it to kind of wing it and see what happens.
early_bloomer
I absolutely love it! I love the cleome, I tried starting some seeds and so far they haven't germinated.
Pagan........Thanks. I think the arbor and bench really added to the overall appeal. What surprises me is how much the bed changes from year to year. Last year I added Mexican sunflowers, cleome, and a few other annuals to extend the bloom season. This year the foxglove plants I started from seed last spring are huge and I'll have fewer poppies but a lot of lupine.
One more photo from last Sept. Taken from a distance
early_bloomer
Meredith..........I love the cleome also. Last year was the first year I've had them and I had no idea they would bloom for several months. They have reseeded like crazy this spring (by the thousands!) and I started more from seed. I'll never be without them again.
early_bloomer
Taken earlier this week. The arbor has weathered nicely the past few years and the pathway is edged with bugle weed and pink strawberry blossoms.
early_bloomer
Wow, everything looks so good! What was your method for starting the cleome seeds? I've tried a few different things with them, but I'm wondering if they just need warmer weather.
Wow, cactuspatch, you have a wonderful eye both for plants, and for photography! I so enjoyed your slideshow! The kitty drinking from the hose was my favorite, though.
Early Bloomer, love seeing your photos. Those pink strawberry blooms are wonderful--all mine are white blooms.
Thanks bookerc1, gardening is my therapy. I have gardened all my life and been into photography for 40 years so maybe I am finally learning something about both! LOL! That kitty is 15 1/2. She has always love to drink from the hose.
Here is my newest path. To me, cottage means no concrete and lots of flagstone and rocks--but that may be more SW style cottage?
Meredith--did you wintersow the cleome? I got a zillion seedlings from wintersowing...d-mail me if you want some. They are violet, I believe.
I love the stick made arbor, Early bloomer. Did you fashion that yourself? Very creative and I need one too!!!
I love the cleome too.... and have started seeds by direct sowing. But read afterwards is needs cool/ warm cycles to germinate and I'm not sure that I sowed them early enough to get much cool weather (although today may qualify!).
Glad to hear winter sowing works - will do that next year if this year's seeds don't grow!