A cottage garden used to be a practical space supplying food and medicine but today this is a romanticized version of a country idyll, it’s copied across the world and shows off decorative, ornamental and edible plants with a focus on diversity.
Today a traditional cottage garden is a space, which is so relaxed that it seems to be wild, with plants and blooms that don’t look refined or polished and are planted casually here and there. Such a garden is a very peaceful and welcoming space, without any formal decor and fuss about looking perfect, it’s low-maintenance and won’t break the bank, and you can achieve such a look in your space without applying much effort.
What Are Cottage Garden Features?
First of all, it’s covering the ground in an unstructured way. No carefully manicured lawns, borders, elegant garden beds and strict color schemes, just a box of closely planted blooms and greenery of various colors. Second, incorporate weathered, rustic materials, vintage detailing, heirloom plants to create a kaleidoscope of hues and textures from the tangle of flowers and foliage.
![arbor with blooms A beautiful and lush garden featuring bold blooms, an arbor with some climbers and a simple gravel path that looks all-natural.](https://i.digsdigs.com/2024/07/arbor-with-blooms.jpg)
A beautiful and lush garden featuring bold blooms, an arbor with some climbers and a simple gravel path that looks all-natural.
![arbor and roses An arbor or a gate can be covered with lush blooming roses, this will be a spectacular feature for your garden.](https://i.digsdigs.com/2024/07/arbor-with-pink-roses.jpg)
An arbor or a gate can be covered with lush blooming roses, this will be a spectacular feature for your garden.
![bird bath This beautiful space shows off several types of flowers including pansies and chamomiles, a gravel path and a bird bath.](https://i.digsdigs.com/2024/07/bird-bath.jpg)
This beautiful space shows off several types of flowers including pansies and chamomiles, a gravel path and a bird bath.
![blue furniture purple blooms Create a little sitting space in the corner of the garden, use vintage garden furniture and surround it with planted and potted flowers.](https://i.digsdigs.com/2024/07/blue-furniture-purple-blooms.jpg)
Create a little sitting space in the corner of the garden, use vintage garden furniture and surround it with planted and potted flowers.
![blue hydrangeas bird house The garden almost sinks in blue hydrangeas, the arobr is covered with green vines and the bird house adds a cute touch.](https://i.digsdigs.com/2024/07/blue-hydrangeas-bird-house.jpg)
The garden almost sinks in blue hydrangeas, the arobr is covered with green vines and the bird house adds a cute touch.
![bright roses Colorful climbing roses will let you have a blooming garden even if you don't have much space, just cover an arbor or a gate.](https://i.digsdigs.com/2024/07/bright-roses.jpg)
Colorful climbing roses will let you have a blooming garden even if you don't have much space, just cover an arbor or a gate.
How To Create A Cottage Garden On A Budget?
A cottage garden is quite budget-friendly as you may grow a lot of plants from seed and exchange some with your neighbors. As this is a natural planting style, you can allow self-seeders to spread and leave only those that you like. Use reclaimed and natural materials for hard landscaping and upcycle or recycle items for your garden features. Remember that there are no rules, and you can do whatever you want to make the space suit your taste. Now let’s consider how to do that in detail.
![lovely nook bench The lovely and cozy nook features a weathered wooden bench, a crate with vintage teaware and some floral pillows plus lush greenery around.](https://i.digsdigs.com/2024/07/ccc837d51a7970a06013ceb17dc651e6.jpg)
The lovely and cozy nook features a weathered wooden bench, a crate with vintage teaware and some floral pillows plus lush greenery around.
![colorful flowers A side yard done with greenery, tall and bold flowers and a vintage cage is a pretty addition to a cottage garden.](https://i.digsdigs.com/2024/07/colorful-flowers.jpg)
A side yard done with greenery, tall and bold flowers and a vintage cage is a pretty addition to a cottage garden.
![dining space in blooms Create a garden dining zone sinking in blooms, here in chamomiles, and it will be your secrete space to escape to.](https://i.digsdigs.com/2024/07/dining-space-in-blooms.jpg)
Create a garden dining zone sinking in blooms, here in chamomiles, and it will be your secrete space to escape to.
![gravel and greenery A gravel path lined up with greenery and some flowers, a broken pot art piece and a weathered wooden gate for a relaxed feeling.](https://i.digsdigs.com/2024/07/gravel-and-greenery.jpg)
A gravel path lined up with greenery and some flowers, a broken pot art piece and a weathered wooden gate for a relaxed feeling.
![gravel and stones This bright cottage garden shows off a gravel path with stones, some green groundcovers, allium, bold asters and poppies.](https://i.digsdigs.com/2024/07/gravel-and-stones.jpg)
This bright cottage garden shows off a gravel path with stones, some green groundcovers, allium, bold asters and poppies.
![gravel path A garden path going amid lush and colorful flowers and some trees is a beautiful way to pull off cottage garden style.](https://i.digsdigs.com/2024/07/gravel-path.jpg)
A garden path going amid lush and colorful flowers and some trees is a beautiful way to pull off cottage garden style.
![gravel, arbor and blooms A gravel path lined up with greenery and bright flowers leading to a wooden arbor that will be covered with roses growing on the side.](https://i.digsdigs.com/2024/07/gravel-arbor-and-blooms.jpg)
A gravel path lined up with greenery and bright flowers leading to a wooden arbor that will be covered with roses growing on the side.
![gravel, lawn An informal garden with chamomiles, some wildflowers, an arch done with blush and deep purple climbers is a relaxed space.](https://i.digsdigs.com/2024/07/gravel-lawn.jpg)
An informal garden with chamomiles, some wildflowers, an arch done with blush and deep purple climbers is a relaxed space.
![groundcovers on paths A cottage garden path should look as natural as possible and rocking groundcovers will be a great solution in this case.](https://i.digsdigs.com/2024/07/groundcovers-on-paths.jpg)
A cottage garden path should look as natural as possible and rocking groundcovers will be a great solution in this case.
Choose Natural Planting
To make your garden look cottage-like, the plants should appear to have planted themselves. Plan the position of your big permanent plants, so your trees, roses and shrubs, first. Smaller flowers will be fitted in the spaces around these, fill in the gaps. Use high performance, tough plants – such as un-hybridized flowers that appeal to pollinators. Plan for a succession of blooms to maintain the effect of dense planting all year long.
![little garden nook A beautiful secret garden nook with vintage furniture, lush lilac and dahlias is a fab hidden gem.](https://i.digsdigs.com/2024/07/little-garden-nook.jpg)
A beautiful secret garden nook with vintage furniture, lush lilac and dahlias is a fab hidden gem.
![little nook in shrubs A small outdoor space done with greenery and some non-bright flowers, with folding furniture and trees is a gorgeous cottage-inspired nook.](https://i.digsdigs.com/2024/07/little-nook-in-shrubs.jpg)
A small outdoor space done with greenery and some non-bright flowers, with folding furniture and trees is a gorgeous cottage-inspired nook.
![little nook potted flowers This small backyard is done with a tree and some bright flowers, mostly potted, with a stone bench and a fire pit and it's enough to spend a good time outdoors.](https://i.digsdigs.com/2024/07/little-nook-potted-flowers.jpg)
This small backyard is done with a tree and some bright flowers, mostly potted, with a stone bench and a fire pit and it's enough to spend a good time outdoors.
![little pond in blooms A waterfall with a little pond cladded with stone and surrounded with lush flowers look absolutely natural, as if they have always been there.](https://i.digsdigs.com/2024/07/little-pond-in-blooms.jpg)
A waterfall with a little pond cladded with stone and surrounded with lush flowers look absolutely natural, as if they have always been there.
![long pond A stone cottage and a foss-like pond with a bridge, with bright flowers around look very natural and non-manmade at all.](https://i.digsdigs.com/2024/07/long-pond.jpg)
A stone cottage and a foss-like pond with a bridge, with bright flowers around look very natural and non-manmade at all.
![lush blooms and bird bath Such a cottage front yard with bright flowers and a bird bath will add a bold touch and curb appeal to your house.](https://i.digsdigs.com/2024/07/lush-blooms-and-bird-bath.jpg)
Such a cottage front yard with bright flowers and a bird bath will add a bold touch and curb appeal to your house.
![lush flowers This space is inspired by classic English cottage gardens and shows off a rough stone path amid bright and not too formal flowers, with a garden decoration at the end.](https://i.digsdigs.com/2024/07/lush-flowers.jpg)
This space is inspired by classic English cottage gardens and shows off a rough stone path amid bright and not too formal flowers, with a garden decoration at the end.
![lush shady garden An extremely lush and chic blooming garden with a weathered wood pergola and dining set shows how to style a shady cottage garden.](https://i.digsdigs.com/2024/07/lush-shady-garden.jpg)
An extremely lush and chic blooming garden with a weathered wood pergola and dining set shows how to style a shady cottage garden.
Make Paths
Prefer stone, old bricks, gravel or grass for your garden paths to offer a visual relief to the exuberance of the planting in a larger cottage garden design. Make winding paths that will be barely visible in summer between the blooms. Place some focal point at the end of the path – a pond, a bench or make a water feature like a waterfall or pond clad with stone.
![natural waterfall A waterfall just like any other water feature will always add interest with its look and sound, whatever garden you want to style.](https://i.digsdigs.com/2024/07/natural-waterfall.jpg)
A waterfall just like any other water feature will always add interest with its look and sound, whatever garden you want to style.
![neutral gravel yellow blooms A lush and wild-looking cottage garden presents a neutral gravel path that helps bright yellow flowers stand out.](https://i.digsdigs.com/2024/07/neutral-gravel-yellow-blooms.jpg)
A lush and wild-looking cottage garden presents a neutral gravel path that helps bright yellow flowers stand out.
![pastel dining This cute vintage pastel dining zone is located on the edge of a whole flower field, which looks dreamy and gorgeous.](https://i.digsdigs.com/2024/07/pastel-dining.jpg)
This cute vintage pastel dining zone is located on the edge of a whole flower field, which looks dreamy and gorgeous.
![pink flowers A rough stone path goes amid lush pink roses and creates a feeling that this is an old and quite wild garden.](https://i.digsdigs.com/2024/07/pink-flowers.jpg)
A rough stone path goes amid lush pink roses and creates a feeling that this is an old and quite wild garden.
![pink roses, lavender Pink roses and lavender pair beautifully creating a lovely pastel backdrop in your garden, and hardscaping is done with gravel and stone for a natural feel.](https://i.digsdigs.com/2024/07/pink-roses-lavender.jpg)
Pink roses and lavender pair beautifully creating a lovely pastel backdrop in your garden, and hardscaping is done with gravel and stone for a natural feel.
![pink, purple and blue Choose to plant blooms without creating any defined and formal garden beds for a more relaxed and cute look.](https://i.digsdigs.com/2024/07/pink-purple-and-blue.jpg)
Choose to plant blooms without creating any defined and formal garden beds for a more relaxed and cute look.
![pond and bridge A small pond with a weathered bridge show off greenery on one side and lilac blooms on the other side.](https://i.digsdigs.com/2024/07/pond-and-bridge.jpg)
A small pond with a weathered bridge show off greenery on one side and lilac blooms on the other side.
![pond and pansies This tiny and absolutely natural-looking pond is clad with stone and accented with bright purple pansies by its side.](https://i.digsdigs.com/2024/07/pond-and-pansies.jpg)
This tiny and absolutely natural-looking pond is clad with stone and accented with bright purple pansies by its side.
![pond and stone A little pond with a stone wall next to it, with lush greenery and various types of flowers is a cool decor feature for a cottage garden.](https://i.digsdigs.com/2024/07/pond-and-stone.jpg)
A little pond with a stone wall next to it, with lush greenery and various types of flowers is a cool decor feature for a cottage garden.
Add Garden Accessories
Ornaments, such as a rustic birdbath, sundial or seat, add focus among all the flowers, helping to break up the intensity of the planting and provide a place to rest the eye. Upcycle and recycle old things to make your garden look more relaxed.
![potted blooms and garden furniture A bright garden with lots of bright blooms, planted and potted ones, with vintage garden furniture and a tree is a fab and sweet space.](https://i.digsdigs.com/2024/07/potted-blooms-and-garden-furniture.jpg)
A bright garden with lots of bright blooms, planted and potted ones, with vintage garden furniture and a tree is a fab and sweet space.
![reading nook A relaxed reading nook with just a chair and some books can be placed in any part of your cottage garden, just don't make it polished.](https://i.digsdigs.com/2024/07/reading-nook.jpg)
A relaxed reading nook with just a chair and some books can be placed in any part of your cottage garden, just don't make it polished.
![rough stone flowers A lush and chic cottage garden with lavender, asters and other blooms and shrubs, with blooming groundcovers and a flagstone path.](https://i.digsdigs.com/2024/07/rough-stone-flowers.jpg)
A lush and chic cottage garden with lavender, asters and other blooms and shrubs, with blooming groundcovers and a flagstone path.
![lush blooms vase Incorporate vintage vases, pots and baskets into your garden styling if you want an eye-catchy touch.](https://i.digsdigs.com/2024/07/Screenshot_3.jpg)
Incorporate vintage vases, pots and baskets into your garden styling if you want an eye-catchy touch.
![seating space roses This amazing seating arbor is covered with climbing roses and surrounded with blooms to match a lovely cottage garden.](https://i.digsdigs.com/2024/07/seating-space-roses.jpg)
This amazing seating arbor is covered with climbing roses and surrounded with blooms to match a lovely cottage garden.
![secret garden nook A pretty and fairy-tale gardne nook with lush greenery, some potted flowers, a cage and climbers feels like a secret hidden space.](https://i.digsdigs.com/2024/07/secret-garden-nook.jpg)
A pretty and fairy-tale gardne nook with lush greenery, some potted flowers, a cage and climbers feels like a secret hidden space.
Accentuate The Vertical
Add height with a romantic arbor, arches, pergolas or obelisks draped in scented climbing plants, such as roses, honeysuckle or jasmine. But use these features sparingly so the whole effect doesn’t become too hectic.
![stone path blooms This beautiful space along the fence shows off some poppies and liriope, a stone path with groundcovers and bold foliage.](https://i.digsdigs.com/2024/07/stone-path-blooms.jpg)
This beautiful space along the fence shows off some poppies and liriope, a stone path with groundcovers and bold foliage.
![stone path grasses A flagstone path is a perfect idea for a cottage garden, line it up with some green shrubs and perhaps lavender or liriope for a bit of color.](https://i.digsdigs.com/2024/07/stone-path-grasses.jpg)
A flagstone path is a perfect idea for a cottage garden, line it up with some green shrubs and perhaps lavender or liriope for a bit of color.
![vintage garden furniture A welcoming nook styled with a vintage bench, pastel hydrangeas, greenery and foliage plus some bee hives is gorgeous.](https://i.digsdigs.com/2024/07/vintage-garden-furniture.jpg)
A welcoming nook styled with a vintage bench, pastel hydrangeas, greenery and foliage plus some bee hives is gorgeous.
![wild garden bird bath A wild-looking garden showing liriope, pink roses climbing up the arch and a bird bath as a pond with water plants.](https://i.digsdigs.com/2024/07/wild-garden-bird-bath.jpg)
A wild-looking garden showing liriope, pink roses climbing up the arch and a bird bath as a pond with water plants.
![wild garden A modern cottage-inspired garden with a wooden bench, various wildflowers and greenery plus ferns is a lovely nook with a relaxed feel.](https://i.digsdigs.com/2024/07/wild-garden.jpg)
A modern cottage-inspired garden with a wooden bench, various wildflowers and greenery plus ferns is a lovely nook with a relaxed feel.
![wisteria A farmhouse space with a bench, a fence with benches and an arch covered with wisteria, with purple iris and pansies is adorable.](https://i.digsdigs.com/2024/07/wisteria.jpg)
A farmhouse space with a bench, a fence with benches and an arch covered with wisteria, with purple iris and pansies is adorable.
![wooden arbor climbers A wooden arbor done with puplr climbers will be a gorgeous color statement in any garden, especially in a cottage one.](https://i.digsdigs.com/2024/07/wooden-arbor-climbers.jpg)
A wooden arbor done with puplr climbers will be a gorgeous color statement in any garden, especially in a cottage one.