English country gardens evoke a deep sense of charm and nostalgia, drawing people in with their seemingly effortless beauty and rich historical associations. They are admired for their emphasis on naturalistic planting, often incorporating a delightful mix of traditional flowers, climbing roses, and mature trees that create a serene and idyllic atmosphere.
This style, perfected over centuries, offers a harmonious blend of cultivated elegance and wild informality, fostering a feeling of tranquillity and escape. For many, these gardens represent an idealised vision of rural England, offering a picturesque setting that speaks to a desire for beauty, peace, and a connection to nature.
Heady scents, voluptuous flowers and a dash of whimsy; this style is all about romance. Thought to be an act of rebellion against the rigid, formal French gardens of the 17th century, the “jardin anglais” or English cottage garden has become a firm favourite amongst gardeners all over the world.
No matter what size or shape garden you have you can create this garden style by following these steps.
Design and Landscaping
Abundant planting that spills over narrow pathways, masses of colour and scented flowers. Framed by hedging, simple lawn shapes softened by a profusion of plants.
- Informal colourful perennial planting, scented climbers, Roses, topiary, wildflowers
- Fluid planting with a mixture of heights
- Outbuildings, sheds, summerhouses
- Pergolas, walkways
- Traditional stone & brickwork
- Ponds, fountains
- Formal hedges
- Seating areas, Benches
- Planters, pots
- Vegetable patches and herb gardens
Which plants to use
Think romantic – planting should be carefree and not too restricted. Mix colourful formal planting with wildflowers to attract pollinators. Consider scent when choosing your plants. Add late summer flowering shrubs such as Hydrangeas and English Roses to fill larger gaps.
Hydrangeas look particularly stunning grown in groups at the back of a mixed border or as an informal hedge. Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’ and Hydrangea paniculata ‘Limelight’ are perfect for larger gardens <find out more>
For an in depth planting guide <CLICK HERE>
Scented climbers
Honeysuckle – Lonicera periclymenum ‘Graham Thomas’
A large twining deciduous climber with oval, dark green leaves whitish beneath and clusters of fragrant white flowers which soon turn to buff-yellow followed by red berries in autumn. The best yellow flowered Honeysuckle for scent.
A deciduous climber with very fragrant, white flowers in summer and early autumn. They are admired for their perfume, vigorous growth and graceful appearance.
Roses – grow repeat flowering climbing roses up trellis or along a fence for continuous blooms and to soften the boundary. With regular dead-heading these will take you well into autumn leaving you to sit back and enjoy.
Rosa Peach Melba (‘Kormelpea’) is a fine example. This compact climbing rose has stiff, dark green foliage and bearing masses of scented apricot, peach and coral, semi-double blooms, repeat-flowering through summer
Wisteria is a magnificent genus of woody, twining vines renowned for their breathtaking cascades of fragrant flowers that typically bloom in late spring to early summer. Wisteria can dramatically transform walls, pergolas, arches, and even mature trees, creating a truly romantic and enchanting garden display.
Seasonal fillers to attract wildlife and soften paths
A compact, busy shrub with fragrant pale to deep purple flowers
Agapanthus, commonly known as African Lily or Lily of the Nile, is a striking perennial revered for its bold, spherical clusters of trumpet-shaped flowers that appear on tall, sturdy stems during summer.
Prized by gardeners for their extended blooming periods, which often stretch from late spring through autumn, salvias offer a kaleidoscope of flower colours, including vibrant blues, purples, reds, pinks, and whites, often arranged in striking upright spikes.
Alchemilla mollis, commonly known as Lady’s Mantle, is a charming perennial herb that graces gardens with its unique foliage and delicate blossoms. Characterized by its soft, velvety, scalloped leaves that collect dewdrops like glistening jewels, this plant adds an ethereal quality to any landscape.
Heuchera ‘Caramel’ is a captivating perennial prized for its exquisite foliage and compact form. This cultivar features large, rounded leaves that emerge in shades of caramel and peach in spring, maturing to golden amber with hints of rose throughout the season. The leaves showcase ruffled edges and a semi-evergreen habit. ‘Caramel’ produces delicate spikes of small, cream-colored flowers in late spring, adding an additional layer of charm.
Fill your borders with herbaceous perennials <shop here>
Fruit Trees (create a mini orchard)
- Apples
- Pear
- Cherries
- Plums
- Yew hedging, balls and cones
- Box hedging, balls, cones and spirals
- Mini bay trees with twisted stems
- Bay cones
Things to avoid
- Contemporary landscaping and features
- Mediterranean and exotic planting
- Clean straight lines – pathways and borders
- Blocks of colour
This is how we do it
Creative Landscape were asked to create an outdoor living space to meet the needs of family life and a dog with traditional cottage style planting in keeping with the surroundings <find out how it’s done>
