Is there a cottage garden in your past—either a real cottage garden, perhaps tended by your grandmother or favorite aunt, or maybe just a romantic vision that has evolved over time? This Zone 5 to 8 garden integrates charming old-time annuals and perennials, herbs and flowering shrubs to produce a simple, informal display that provides plenty of flowers for cutting. The birdbath will attract feathered friends, adding another dimension to the garden. Site where the garden will get sun for six or more hours a day. Prepare the soil thoroughly, digging in plenty of compost, composted cow manure or other humus-rich amendment to improve the fertility and ensure good drainage. Underplant with spring bulbs for early color.
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Key to Plan
1. Butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii 'Petite Indigo') 1 plant; 4 feet tall; 3- to 4-inch spikes of pale violet flowers in summer and fall; narrow silvery leaves; attracts butterflies; prune old wood in spring.
2. Butterfly bush (B. davidii 'Pink Delight') 1 plant; 6 to 8 feet tall; foot-long spikes of fragrant pink flowers summer through fall; attracts butterflies; prune to tree shape.
3. Butterfly bush (B. davidii 'Nanho Purple') 1 plant; 4 to 6 feet tall; elegant spikes of lightly fragrant purple flowers in summer and fall; attracts butterflies; prune old wood in spring.
4. Honeysuckle (Lonicera x heckrottii) 2 plants planted singly; climbing to 25 feet; clusters of very fragrant red-and-yellow flowers in summer; prune to keep within bounds.
5. Love-in-a-mist (Nigella damascena 'Persian Jewels') 21 plants planted in 3 groups of 7, 9 inches apart; 12 inches tall; 1-inch saucer-shaped flowers in white, pinks and blues, above threadlike leaves; inflated fruits, excellent for drying. Self-seeding annual.
6. Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) 9 plants in 3 groups of 3, set 9 inches apart; 12 inches tall; bright green, crisp curly leaves; harvest regularly; start from seed or transplants. Biennial.
7. Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) 9 plants in 3 groups of 3, set 9 inches apart; 12 inches tall; slender onion-scented leaves; round clusters of tiny purple flowers; cut leaves for cooking, flowerheads for garnish. Perennial.
8. Tricolor sage (Salvia officinalis 'Tricolor') 1 plant, 12 to 18 inches tall; paddle-shaped rough-textured gray-green leaves splashed with pink, cream and green; spikes of blue flowers; harvest leaves as needed, prune shrub to avoid legginess.
9. Pot marigold (Calendula officinalis Bon Bon Hybrids) 21 plants in 3 groups of 7, planted 9 inches apart; 1 to 2 feet tall; double orange or yellow daisy flowers to 4 inches across; long-lasting cut flower; petals edible, used for garnishing. Annual.
10. Larkspur (Consolida ambigua) 27 plants in 3 groups of 9, planted 9 inches apart; 1 to 3 feet tall; branching stems with spikes of pink, blue or white flowers throughout the summer; excellent for cutting; deadhead to extend bloom time. Self-seeding annual.
11. Garden phlox (Phlox paniculata 'David') 2 plants planted singly; 4 feet tall; heavy clusters of fragrant clean white flowers in summer; mildew resistant. Perennial.
12. Garden phlox (Phlox paniculata 'Starfire') 1 plant; 3 feet tall; cherry red flowers. Summer-blooming perennial.
13. Garden phlox (Phlox paniculata 'Laura') 2 plants planted singly; 3 feet tall; huge trusses of royal purple flowers with a white eye; long-blooming through fall; mildew resistant. Perennial.
14. Hollyhock (Alcea rosea Perennial Singles) 12 plants in 4 groups of 3, planted 18 inches apart; 6 to 8 feet tall; erect spikes of cup-shaped 4- to 5-inch flowers in white, pinks, reds and yellow; be alert for Japanese beetle damage; stake if necessary. Perennial.
15. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) 5 plants planted singly; 3 feet tall; shrubby mounds of aromatic gray-green foliage; 8-inch spikes of fragrant blue-violet flowers, excellent for drying.
16. Morning glory (Ipomoea 'Heavenly Blue') 6 plants in 2 groups of 3, planted 12 inches apart; 9 to 12 feet tall; fast-growing annual vine with sky blue trumpets; self-sows, but may not come true to color.
Garden plans courtesy of Country Living Gardener.
Illustrations by Michelle Burchard
