You don't have to travel to the English countryside to experience the charm and tranquility of an English cottage garden. They are very versatile and can thrive anywhere, even here in the states, including our northern regions. They look as if no planning was necessary to create their beauty. Here are three simple steps to follow. The first step is to select three to four main colors to create continuity within the garden.
Stunning contrast is made possible by using perennial blooms of opposing colors.
Roses, delphiniums, and foxglove are traditional plant choices although you aren't restricted to these. Although free flowing, English gardens do need a certain amount of structure. You can create balance and harmony within the bed with the shape of the blooms, leaf size, and texture. Borders are often three feet or more wide and very curvy. They are more narrow at some parts and deeper in others.