How to Get the Cottage Garden Look on a Budget

Garden Design Series

The cottage garden look remains one of the most beloved and coveted landscape designs of all. The appeal is immediately obvious. It’s casually arrayed in soft, pastel colors often accompanied by a crisp, white picket fence. It’s not in a hurry and conveys just a touch of romance.

“There is joy in the spring when birds begin to sing in an English Country Garden”

Jimmie Rodgers, English Country Garden

When it comes to garden styles or “themes”, the cottage garden look is one that more people try to reproduce in one way or another. Perhaps you’ve seen beautiful images on Pinterest or other on-line sites. Immaculately kept gardenscapes containing a multitude of flowering annuals, perennials, trees and shrubs…a horticulturalist’s dream!

Maybe you’re longing to have that look in your own backyard as well, but are facing some obstacles. Maybe its not enough space, or the right soil, or the right climate for many of the plants associated with the cottage garden. Perhaps you feel like you just don’t have much of a budget for anything ‘fancy’.

What if I were to tell you that it’s much easier than you think? After all, a few of the right touches here and there coupled with even a small grouping of container plants will convey a sense of the cottage garden look without all the elaborate elements you think are necessary to pull off the effect. Make it a Garden is all about what’s doable and using what you already have on hand. We’re simple paths to inviting places…

May I give you some ideas?

Why go with a Cottage Garden?

The cottage garden is one that is informal with intent and purpose. In other words, quite a bit of work goes into creating a casual setting. Yet it looks like it just naturally happened that way. The ambiance is cheerful, calming, and reflective. It has a nostalgic feel about it and may even be a tad alluring. That being said, the cottage garden is a lot of fun to create, but one that also takes time and some thoughtful planning.

If you like a bit of vintage, or French / English country decor, those styles blend well with the Cottage Garden look. Colors are pinks, lavender, yellow, peach, cream. Associated features include meandering pathways, a trellis or arbor to support flowering vines, a statue, a decorative bird bath, and of course that crisp white picket fence.

On a small budget, the good news is that the basic characteristics you see in a variety of cottage garden designs can be re-created in a number of different ways.

My humble cottage garden attempt

I love the charming, feminine touch of the cottage garden. My challenge was to try to make it look so not out-of-place in the midst of five wooded acres in the mountains. It’s much more suited to chain saw bear statues and moose antlers.

My big splurge? I put in a lawn (it was in an area already cleared for the powerline) and built a little garden shed to go with it. (I didn’t build it myself, but did do all the painting). When it came to paint colors, I chose something that would harmonize with the natural surrounding, but still stand out. So, I chose a light colored shade of green. The white trim makes the “garden” statement and a few pink highlights provide an accent.

When you have a storage shed or garden shed, it’s a large object in your landscape. It’s also the key to setting the tone for your garden theme, so use it to your advantage. That’s why I made the effort to doll it up!

Communicate your theme with the right accent pieces

My cottage garden only fills a tiny little strip in the front yard. So everything is centered around that. Keep your accent pieces in close proximity. If your decor is too spread out, it won’t communicate your theme effectively. Display the things that make you happy. Obviously, I love hearts. The one by the shed door is a iron trivet from the thrift store which I spray painted pink, and the other is a simple plastic tray left over from valentines day…25 cents!

How to get the Cottage Garden ‘look’:

Trellis or arbor for height and interest. An arbor and a flowering vine and you’re off to a good start with just those two things! Plus, an arbor always beckons you to walk under or thru it. Hence, it’s a great doorway between two spaces or to brake up a larger space. If you love to use salvage, old iron or metal headboards look great as a trellis. The modern, copy-cat ones will cost less. It won’t matter out in the garden.

Create a pathway. The more winding and meandering the better. For full impact, make it lead to a destination…a place to sit. A bench or little patio bistro set.

Add some decor. If you’re patient and take your time, you can find great decor pieces from thrift stores, garage sales, Craig’s list or your local picker. I find its really a lot of fun to search for things for my garden. Have an idea in mind, but be open to experimenting, because you never know what you’ll find.

Lots of yard ornaments are made out of resin. They’re light weight and great for outdoors except for one thing: the colors wash out in the sun. A simple low cost way to preserve them is to treat them with several coats of Spar Urethane which is now available in a handy spray can. You may be interested in a little write up I did on this product. It’s not an ad and I don’t make a commission. I’ve had such good results with it, I’ve included it HERE just to be helpful.

How to work the fence into your cottage theme

If you have a fence–even a solid wood panel fence–try painting it. What else? White! A crisp, white fence may be just the pop your yard needs. The greenery of flowers and shrubs stands out more and their colors show up better, too. You can hang pretty decor, such as bird houses or a vintage mirror on that fence, as well.

What about a chain link fence? Is there something you can do to enhance the appearance? The good news is, yes! Watch this quick 5 minute video to see this amazing and inexpensive fix . Note: video is produced by a Realtor who gave me permission to use it. I have no connection to her what-so-ever, and use of it here does not imply endorsement. But it’s a very well made little video I think you’ll appreciate.

TIP: Don’t try to do it all in one summer. Creating a theme in the yard or garden evolves over time. You’ll get a better sense of how its developing and what is needed as you go along.

What about the flowers?

Maybe not all the varieties of annuals and perennials associated with the cottage garden grow well in your area. Don’t fret, just find ones that are similar and substitute. I found that the soft, dainty petal of the potentilla alba (white) captures the essence of a cottage garden. I planted a few out on the front lawn near my garden shed.

A low cost way to introduce trees like lilacs and flowering shrubs is to buy them when smaller. Granted, it will take some time for them to mature and begin to shape your landscape. But they’re also easier to handle and to transplant at that stage.

If your soil is hard and rocky, you may have to bring in a load of two of topsoil. Otherwise, maybe that’s a good spot for an adorable little gazebo or deck. Get creative! Build planters or surround it with hanging baskets and containers of flowering bulbs or annuals.

Plant in containers:

If you can’t go the top soil route for new garden beds, containers work just as well, and you won’t have to weed them. My mother, as she grew older, had some physical limitations and just couldn’t work in the garden beds anymore. So she just switched to planting in containers on the deck.

Planters and flower pots are quite easy to find at garage sales. Consider unique and whimsical choices, as well. Things like galvanized tubs are very popular for container gardens. Then there’s old coffee pots or tea pots, boots, and wheelbarrows that make charming vessels that help get you that cottage garden look.

Take Ann’s Cottage Garden Tour

This is a special treat!

In this 7 minute video, Ann Samul talks about the transformation of her small backyard garden. As un-rushed and un-hurried as the landscape. This would be a good time to relax with a cup of tea and see what the process is like. You may even pick up a few more ideas for your place.

DON’T FORGET YOUR FREEBIE! Sign up below to receive “10 Artistic Ways to Make Your Yard or Garden Beautiful”, be a part of the Make it a Garden Community.

Conclusion

Many people love the country cottage garden for its softness and simplicity. Because its cheerful and inviting. It’s a garden theme that calls us away from a high tech world for some peace of mind. Yes, it requires some work to get the look established, but there’s much to look forward to. Is there a cottage garden in your future?

If this post was helpful in anyway, please feel free to share it on Social Media and tell your friends about Make it a Garden. I’m always interested in your feedback, so leave your thoughts in the comments below. Thanks for dropping by!

More articles from the garden design series

How to Create the Perfect Rustic Garden

How to Get the Most Out of Your Garden Decor

A Storage Shed Can Be Pretty In the Backyard