By Ann Lapides
The English cottage garden brings a charming intimacy to the home. Many plants that thrive in the St. Louis, Missouri area offer the relaxed cheerfulness that evokes the welcoming flair of the cottage garden. Read on for tips on how to create a cottage garden.
You can create soft, informal features with natural elements and curving edges. For example, wooden fencing, lattice, and arbors create backdrops and support for many of the larger or vining plants. A climbing plant is practically a requirement for any cottage garden. Coral Honeysuckle produces bright red tubes that attract hummingbirds. Likewise, Clematis enhances the cottage garden with huge, beautiful blossoms.
Initially, when thinking of cottage gardens, Missouri native plants don’t necessarily come to mind; however, many fit right in! For instance, Missouri Primrose’s large, cheery, yellow flowers bloom all summer. To enhance the visual appeal, you can plant these in front of scented mounds of Lavender plants to create an excellent color contrast. In addition to these low-growers, the stately Joe Pye Weed brings height to the garden, while its airy purple flowers attract butterflies. Furthermore, Tall Garden Phlox offers a long bloom in shades of bright pink, red, purple, or white, billowing blossoms. Hollyhocks add the essential old-fashioned charm.
To structure the space, try making natural-looking paths with stone or mulch, and add groundcovers and small plants to soften the edges. Ultimately, repeating colors and textures is what adds harmony and flow to the garden. In short, cottage gardens should be informal, welcoming, and colorful – just like our beautiful St. Louis area. Find more gardening tips and suggestions at http://www.sugarcreekgardens.com, or visit Sugar Creek Gardens nursery located in Kirkwood, Missouri.
Sugar Creek Gardens
1011 N Woodlawn
Kirkwood MO 63122
sugarcreekgardens.com