"Cottage garden" bed suggestions

 I'm just about to reorganise one of my beds and I plan to plant it in a
cottage garden style.

Definite inclusions so far are:- Delphiniums, Aquilegia (various),
Geranium, Echinacea, Euphorbia and possibly Lavender.

Any other "must haves" that I should consider? The bed is south and west
facing and gets full sun from 11am onwards. The soil is light, well
drained, and fairly sheltered.

Cheers,

--
Paul Giverin

British Jet Engine Website    http://www.britjet.co.uk

 With a cottage garden there really is no plan,they are a riot of colour with
plants crammed in were ever they fit.Let them selfseed to make it look more
natural.You could also grow hollyhocks,poppies,helenium,lupins,foxgloves &
entwine honeysuckle through hedging if you have one.What about rustic
wigwams with clematis or climbing scented roses.Herbs were they can be
touched or brushed past so you catch the scent.
Your getting me going now!
Have fun creating it.

--
Thanks Keith,England,UK.

 keith ;-) wrote:
[...]

Got to have sweet peas!

Mike.

 On 27/1/05 10:10 pm, in article 35t76qF4odm5gU3@individual.net, "Mike Lyle"


<snip>

And bean poles at the back.
--
Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
South Devon
(remove the weeds to email me)

 

Hi Paul,

Yes, you must have masses of single daisy flowers: 'Shasta' daisies,
coreopsis, asters, heleniums, rudbeckias, erigeron  -  keep mostly to
single-flowering forms, for 'cottage-garden' credibility and especially to
attact bees and hoverflies. (Most double-flowered plants are sterile and
offer nothing for wildlife; they are showier, though, and the flowers last
longer because they can't be pollinated, so don't 'go over' as quickly.  For
that reason, just grow a few favourites.)

Lavender isn't a "possible" - it's a definite, especially since you have the
right conditions.  Also try and make room for Rosemary.

Also consider: Liatris, Lupins, Crambe cordifolia, Verbena bonariensis,
linaria, gaura, thalictrum, penstemmon, pinks (dianthus), hardy fuchsias,
veronicas and veronicastrum, lilies and alliums.
For a froth of mid-border two-tone roses, try Rosa 'Ballerina' and/or
'Marjorie Fair' - no scent, but a great filler.

Definitely consider pots for the porch/front of the house and for 'dotting'
around when colour is sparse: lilies and pelargoniums are good for this, as
are tender bedding fuchsias.  I love the sunny cascade of Bidens, but this
is too bright for some people!  For a pretty cascade of blue (or sunny
ground cover), try both Convolvulus sabatius (previously C. Mauritius) and
Veronica prostrata.

Spider