Cottage-Style Landscapes and Gardens

Cottage gardens feature an abundance of color, freestyle form and fun artwork. Get ideas and inspiration for creating your own beautifully casual cottage garden.

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April 09, 2019

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Size Does Not Matter

This yard may be small, but the soaring, colorful perennials take it to lofty heights.

From: Park Slope Design

Bird Haven

This garden space invites birds to come and enjoy the lush greenery and flowering perennials in this cottage garden.

Embrace a Hillside

This pathway softly winds up to the house thanks to lush plantings spilling and cascading over the boulder staircase. Tip: No matter the scope of the project, always maximize the space by embellishing its existing character, like grade changes.

From: Barry Block

A Quiet Conversation

This backyard garden offers a peaceful spot to enjoy a beautiful garden view from the pair of wooden Adirondack chairs.

From: CLINTON+RIES Landscape Architects

A Spot for Entertaining

The covered lounge area includes cove lighting so that the spot can be enjoyed well into the evening. Red cushioned chairs offer a comfortable place to rest and enjoy company.

From: Hess Landscape Architects, Inc.

Pine Dining

The shade of a pine tree is converted into an inviting dining spot. There is an herb garden located just beyond in case the meal needs a little extra spice.

Soften the Hardscape

No other plant can add movement and catch the light like ornamental grasses and flowering herbs. They can soften yet enhance masonry elements with their airy form and uniquely capture and filter the sun's rays. Tip: Be sure to place them where they can catch the light, which will shine through their foliage and flower heads, making them glow and shimmer in the breezes.

From: Nilsen Landscape Design

Wisteria Pergola

This large patio provides shade to make it a great place for entertaining. The greenery in the wisteria turn this structure into a fairytale setting.

From: DabneyCollins

Colorful Flowers

Add a stunning combination of multiple blooming flowers, and climbing plants for pops of color throughout the cottage garden.

From: CLINTON+RIES Landscape Architects

Sculpture Garden

Whimsical art is prevalent in cottage-style gardening. Buddha is placed among pink and blue hydrangeas.

Well-Planned Water Feature

A mix of perennials and shrubs creates texture, color, and scent in this informal garden designed for strolling and casual afternoon chats. Make full use of natural slopes to create a custom waterfall and pond. Flowers color the setting and make it feel even more enchanting.

From: Surrounds Landscape Architecture + Construction

Tranquil Koi Pond

A water feature adds an elegant touch to any garden. Water is heard as it gently pours from a hand-chiseled stone rill into an elongated pool. Filled with koi and water lilies in bloom, the water reflects the sky above, surrounding trees and plants.

From: AguaFina Gardens International

Be Informal

The beauty of a cottage garden is in its informality. To get this look, avoid planting in straight lines of defined paths. Skip the pruning! Let the plants cascade and weave through each other.

From: Donald Pell Gardens

Well-Defined Paths

Lovely stone paths lead you through this garden and create a natural looking pathway.

From: Hess Landscape Architects, Inc.

Go Vertical

Add layer and height to your cottage garden with the aid of trellises and obelisks. A trellis covered in jasmine creates a beautiful juxtaposition to the gate's wrought iron. Better still, the plant infuses this outdoor space with natural fragrance.

From: Carolina Landscape

Old-Fashion Flowers

Cottage gardens are filled with old-fashion flower varieties like hollyhock, peony, larkspur, pansies, cosmos, foxglove, snapdragon, bachelor's button, and columbine.

Vintage Upcycled Planters

Add some whimsical charm to your cottage garden with vintage or upcycled planters. Think outside the box when it comes to planters. Use old birdhouses, watering cans, wood crates, and even old boots.

Welcoming Entrance

A welcome reception ensues upon the opening of these large gates into this charming South Carolina courtyard garden.

From: Carolina Landscape

Shop This Look

Photo By: Joan Grabel

Photo By: Clinton & Associates, PC

Photo By: Stephen Govel Photography

Photo By: Rosemary Fletcher

Photo By: Kenny Collins, The Collins Group, Inc.

Photo By: 3Sixty

Photo By: Rich Cording

Photo By: Morgan Howarth Photography

Photo By: George Dzahristos

Photo By: Donald Pell and Keith Gibilante