There is something deeply appealing about an English
cottage garden. If you are charmed by this bright, carefree look and want
to create your own, you’ll need to select some cottage garden shrubs to get
started. Which authentic cottage garden bushes will give you the look you want?
Read on for the best ideas for cottage garden shrub varieties.
Using Shrubs in a Cottage Garden
While cottage gardens are trendy these days, original “cottagers”
were people with very little money trying to make the most of their small
yards. For that reason, they planted a happy blend of shrubs for a garden
mixing fruit trees, herbs,
veggies,
and flowers.
Everyone is trying to be more water wise now too. When you
are looking for cottage garden bushes, you should also keep that in mind.
Cottage Garden Shrub Varieties
Some of the traditional shrubs in a cottage garden require
lots of care and lots of water. Among this group includes roses.
Many other cottage shrub varieties, however, are water-sparing plants and very drought
tolerant.
One shrub to include is the native ceanothus
(Ceanothus spp.), an evergreen that lights up with indigo flowers in
spring. Also consider choosing redbud
(Cercis spp.), as it is filled with magenta flowers in spring.
For another cottage shrub variety that works well in a
modern cottage garden, try chaste
tree (Vitex agnus-castus) with its stand-up spikes of flowers in
lilac, white, or pink. They bloom all summer long.
Hydrangeas
come in many varieties including a few native species. Their big, loose
blossoms are very romantic and make these plants perfect shrubs for a cottage
garden. Butterfly
bush (Buddleia spp.) is a lovely addition that brings gorgeous,
fragrant blossoms as well as butterflies to your backyard. They are easy to
grow and produce many flowers.
You should also include some climbing vines and vining
vegetables in your cottage garden idea. Grow lavender
wisteria on a gazebo or raise potato
vine (Solanum jasminoides) with its lovely flowers on a fence or
wall. Morning
glories and cottage garden sweet
peas are also wonderful climbers.
Finally, for fast, easy-growing shrubs for a cottage garden,
don’t overlook salvia.
If you want large bushes, try using Salvia clevelandii or Salvia
brandegui. For smaller shrubs in your garden design, consider autumn sage (Salvia
greggii) in pink, red, or coral.
There is something deeply appealing about an English
cottage garden. If you are charmed by this bright, carefree look and want
to create your own, you’ll need to select some cottage garden shrubs to get
started. Which authentic cottage garden bushes will give you the look you want?
Read on for the best ideas for cottage garden shrub varieties.
Using Shrubs in a Cottage Garden
While cottage gardens are trendy these days, original “cottagers”
were people with very little money trying to make the most of their small
yards. For that reason, they planted a happy blend of shrubs for a garden
mixing fruit trees, herbs,
veggies,
and flowers.
Everyone is trying to be more water wise now too. When you
are looking for cottage garden bushes, you should also keep that in mind.
Cottage Garden Shrub Varieties
Some of the traditional shrubs in a cottage garden require
lots of care and lots of water. Among this group includes roses.
Many other cottage shrub varieties, however, are water-sparing plants and very drought
tolerant.
One shrub to include is the native ceanothus
(Ceanothus spp.), an evergreen that lights up with indigo flowers in
spring. Also consider choosing redbud
(Cercis spp.), as it is filled with magenta flowers in spring.
For another cottage shrub variety that works well in a
modern cottage garden, try chaste
tree (Vitex agnus-castus) with its stand-up spikes of flowers in
lilac, white, or pink. They bloom all summer long.
Hydrangeas
come in many varieties including a few native species. Their big, loose
blossoms are very romantic and make these plants perfect shrubs for a cottage
garden. Butterfly
bush (Buddleia spp.) is a lovely addition that brings gorgeous,
fragrant blossoms as well as butterflies to your backyard. They are easy to
grow and produce many flowers.
You should also include some climbing vines and vining
vegetables in your cottage garden idea. Grow lavender
wisteria on a gazebo or raise potato
vine (Solanum jasminoides) with its lovely flowers on a fence or
wall. Morning
glories and cottage garden sweet
peas are also wonderful climbers.
Finally, for fast, easy-growing shrubs for a cottage garden,
don’t overlook salvia.
If you want large bushes, try using Salvia clevelandii or Salvia
brandegui. For smaller shrubs in your garden design, consider autumn sage (Salvia
greggii) in pink, red, or coral.