Damon Mcknight
A cottage garden is a blend of colourful flowers of varied heights mixed in with aromatic plants and edibles. The traditional English cottage garden often has a chaotic look to it, which creates its wild personality. But achieving this look through the seasons takes planning and structure. Many people assume that cottage gardens cannot be done in Australia due to the climate. However, this is not true. Many plants that work in English cottage gardens will work in Australia as long as they are provided with good soil and enough water during the summer. Additionally, there are many beautiful native Australian plants that can be used to create a wild and rambly feel.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plants | Clematis, roses, sweet alyssum, calendula, borage, violets, pansies, stocks, primroses, hollyhocks, carnations, tulips, crocuses, daffodils, foxgloves, delphiniums, daisies, wisteria, aquilegias, poppies, elderflowers, clematis, rosemary, thyme, oregano, parsley, tarragon, marjoram, coriander, dill, chamomile, lavender, geraniums, pelargoniums, ribbon bush, giant blue African salvia, sage, ornamental salvias, cistus, nemesia, cosmos, marigolds, verbena bonariensis, saltbush, bidens, jasmine, grevillea, banksia, stumpy gold, coral bells, bellflower, bigleaf hydrangea, columbine, swan river daisy, everlasting daisy, kangaroo paw, geraldton wax, isopogen, pimelea ferruginea, white solitaire, flannel flower, hardenbergia, Australian daisy, scaevola, pandorea, fan flower, native daisy, native shrubs, banksia spinulosa, chorizema cordatum, heart-leaf flame pea, eremophila nivea, lily, lupin, dahlia, sweet pea, nasturtium, thunbergia, catmint, lobelia, candytuft, brachyscome, armeria, snapdragon, sweet william, cornflower, Californian poppies, nigella, phlox, pincushion flower, yarrow, potatoes, carrots, radishes, turnips, beetroot, gooseberries, raspberries, fennel, lettuce, silverbeet, kale, broccoli, cauliflower, rocket, mustard greens, ajuga australis, patersonia sericea, patersonia occidentalis, orthrosanthus multiflorus, bulbine bulbosa |
| Climate | Hot and dry |
| Style | Rambling, sprawling, informal, chaotic, wild, romantic, floral, fragrant, pretty, colourful |
| Features | Bird baths, sundials, statues, arches, tripods |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing plants that suit the Australian climate
Australia's climate varies widely, from hot and dry in the west to humid on the east coast, and frosty in the south. So, when planning a cottage garden, it's important to choose plants that will thrive in your specific climate zone. Gardening is all about experimenting, so while you can start by sowing seeds recommended for your climate zone, you can always try plants from neighbouring zones and see how they fare.
Many classic cottage garden plants, such as bellflowers, bigleaf hydrangeas, columbines, and coral bells, require full sun to part shade and well-drained soil. However, they may struggle in hot Australian summers, so they are better suited to the cooler climates of southern Australia. Delphiniums, for example, are challenging to grow in hot summers and require staking to protect them from the wind. Foxgloves and hollyhocks, which add vertical height to a garden, also prefer full sun and well-drained soil but can tolerate part shade.
Herbs are a classic part of the cottage garden, and many varieties will grow well in the Australian climate. These include parsley, rosemary, thyme, oregano, tarragon, marjoram, coriander, dill, tansy, wormwood, chamomile, and lavender. Some herbs, like rosemary, thrive in full sun and well-drained soil.
When it comes to flowers, there are many Australian natives that can create a wild and rambling feel. These include low-growing varieties such as alyssum, candytuft, brachyscome, and lobelia. For medium height, you can opt for cosmos, snapdragon, sweet William, and marigolds. To add vertical accents, consider delphiniums, hollyhocks, foxgloves, and lilies. Climbers like sweet peas, nasturtiums, and roses will add colour and a divine floral scent to your garden.
Some Australian native plants that can add a unique touch to your cottage garden include grevillea, with its bright pink flowers; banksia, a dense, compact shrub with golden flowers; and coastal rosemary, which loves full sun and well-drained soil. The flannel flower, with its daisy-like white flowers, is another beautiful addition. For a pop of colour, try the scrambling shrub with its hot pink and orange pea flowers. The Swan River daisy, with its mauve, purple, white, or blue blooms, will create ribbons of colour in your garden.
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Selecting a mix of plant heights for a wild look
A cottage garden is usually a blend of colourful flowers of varied heights mixed with aromatic plants and edibles. The traditional English cottage garden has a chaotic, wild look, but achieving this through the seasons requires planning and structure.
Cottage gardens are informal and packed with a wide variety of flowering plants, creating an abundant and generous look. To achieve this, select a mix of plant heights and structures. Many cottage garden plants are low-growing or mounding annuals and shrubs, but plants with vertical flower spikes, such as lily, foxglove, hollyhock and delphinium, provide contrast and accents. These taller plants can be used to bring height to a planting design, by placing them at the back of borders.
Vertical height can also be achieved through structures like tripods and arches. Climbing roses and sweet peas, for example, fill arches or tripods with colour and scent.
In Australia, you can still achieve the traditional English cottage garden look, as many plants that work in English cottage gardens will thrive if provided with good soil and enough water during the summer. However, you don't have to stick to traditional English plants to create a beautiful cottage garden. There are many beautiful native Australian plants that can be used to create a wild and rambling feel.
Some examples of low-growing plants include alyssum, candytuft, brachyscome, armeria, catmint, lobelia and viola. For medium height, try cosmos, snapdragon, sweet William, lavender, cornflower, Californian poppies, nigella, phlox, pincushion flower, yarrow and marigold.
For a wild look, you could also consider allowing herbs to flower, which is fantastic for attracting pollinators and beneficial insects. Herbs to consider include parsley, rosemary, thyme, oregano, tarragon, marjoram, coriander, dill, tansy, wormwood, chamomile and lavender.
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Using bird baths, sundials and statues as accents
Bird baths, sundials, and statues can be used as accents to enhance the beauty of a cottage garden in Australia. These features not only add visual interest but also create a welcoming environment for various creatures, fostering biodiversity.
Bird baths, in particular, attract feathered friends and provide them with a water source. They come in various designs, from simplistic Asian-inspired styles to romantic Victorian motifs adorned with angels or hummingbirds. You can choose a classic tall style that stands out in a garden or opt for shorter, petite bird baths that accent a patio or ledge.
Sundials, on the other hand, offer a unique way to tell the time while adding a touch of charm to your garden. They come in different forms, such as the armillary sphere, a spherical framework with rings that indicate the hour by casting shadows on each other.
Statues can also be incorporated into the garden to create a secret garden theme, like a statue of a dog that people can rub for good luck.
When choosing bird baths, sundials, and statues, consider the overall theme and style of your cottage garden. These accents can be placed strategically to create focal points, add a sense of tranquility, and invite wildlife into your garden.
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Growing herbs and vegetables alongside flowers
When choosing which herbs and vegetables to plant alongside your flowers, it's important to consider the different growing conditions each plant requires. For example, plants with similar root system depths, such as carrots, beetroots, and potatoes, should not be grown next to each other as they will compete for the same nutrients and water. Instead, try planting carrots with chives, which improve their flavour and texture and deter pests. Alternatively, pair potatoes with onions, which will deter a wide range of pests.
Some herbs and vegetables also have natural pest repellent properties that can be used to your advantage. For example, marigolds and rosemary have insect-repellent qualities, making them ideal companions for any vegetable patch. Thyme is a natural deterrent for cabbage worms, and garlic can repel pests like aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies.
In addition to pest control, companion planting can also help to improve the flavour of your vegetables. For example, basil complements the flavour of root vegetables like carrots and beets. Chamomile improves the flavour of broccoli, making it sweeter, and planting it with onions can improve their flavour too.
Finally, when planning your cottage garden, consider including native Australian plants that will attract local wildlife. Plants like grevillea, with its bright flowers, will add a nice brightness to your cottage garden and attract birds and other native wildlife. The flannel flower, with its daisy-like white flowers, is another excellent choice for an Australian cottage garden.
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Choosing plants to attract birds and butterflies
Australia's flora and fauna have a deep connection, with plants providing shelter and food for animals, and animals spreading seeds to produce more plants. When selecting plants to attract wildlife to your cottage garden, it's important to choose those that will thrive in your specific climate, soil and aspect. Here are some plants that are particularly attractive to birds and butterflies:
Grevillea
Grevillea is a versatile plant that comes in many colours, including pastel pink, creamy yellow, red and cream. It is a favourite of birds, and the Grevillea 'Poorinda Jennifer Joy' variety is also attractive to bees. The golden flowers of the 'Stumpy Gold' variety are particularly attractive to birds and other native wildlife.
Banksia
Banksia spinulosa is an excellent bird attractor, with wattlebirds, spinebills and rosellas visiting the flowers, which bloom for months during autumn and winter.
Kangaroo Paw
Anigozanthos flavidus (tall kangaroo paw) is a powerful magnet for wattlebirds, with its bright flowers attracting birds from far and wide.
Westringia
Westringia is highly attractive to butterflies and is remarkably hardy, tolerating frost, drought and sea air. Regular tip-pruning will increase the number of flowers, making it even more attractive to butterflies.
Hardenbergia
Hardenbergia violacea is described by Graham Pizzey as a top-class butterfly attractant, although it may be more effective in some regions than others.
Foxglove Beardtongue
Foxglove beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis) shows off tall clusters of bell-shaped flowers in shades of pink, white and purple. The flowers' tubes make it easy for hummingbirds to access the nectar, and the late-season seeds provide food for other birds.
Bee Balm
Bee balm (Monarda) is a member of the mint family that offers sweet nectar to entice hummingbirds, bees and butterflies to its tube-shaped purple flowers.
Wild Geranium
Wild geranium (Geranium maculatum) blooms with small purple or pink flowers from April through June, attracting a variety of pollinators with its nectar, and providing seeds and fruit for birds.
Butterfly Bush
As the name suggests, the butterfly bush (Buddleia) is a popular plant among butterflies and will surely attract them to your cottage garden.
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Frequently asked questions
A cottage garden is an informal, densely packed outdoor space with a wide variety of flowering plants. It is wild and romantic, with colourful flowers of varied heights mixed with aromatic plants and edibles.
Australia has a diverse climate, so what thrives in one climate may not survive in another. Choose plants that are suited to your climate zone and provide good soil and enough water during the summer. Some plants that do well in Australia include grevillea, rosemary, lavender, sweet alyssum, calendula, borage, roses, clematis, and herbs such as parsley, thyme, and oregano.
Add vertical height with plants such as lilies, foxgloves, and hollyhocks. Garden structures like tripods and arches can also provide vertical accents. Features like birdbaths, sundials, and statues add interest and structure. Repeat colours and plants to create a cohesive look.
The history of cottage gardens stretches back to when people started growing flowers alongside medicinal herbs and vegetables. During the Elizabethan period, prosperous cottage dwellers began to plant for aesthetic purposes as well, adding more flowers and fewer medicinal and edible plants.
