How to Landscape a Country Garden

Place hardscape elements on your outdoor space. Hardscapes are those aspects that are permanent, including patios, walkways, sheds, fencing and other structures. When choosing materials for hardscapes in a country cottage garden style, consider materials that are well made yet feel and look Old World. Traditionally, a country garden is one made of materials at hand, so brick or crushed limestone for walkways and wooden picket fences feel at home in this style.

Plant trees. Choose trees based on your growing zone and desired intent. Plant a shade tree to cool your house, an interesting ornamental tree with showy foliage or an evergreen for year-round texture. For a true country look, plant fruit trees such as apple, pear or cherry. Do not overcrowd your yard and plant according to your particular choice's instructions as far as proximity to structures and sidewalks.

Place shrubs as desired. The country garden design loves flowering shrubs such as rhododendron, azalea, forsythia, witch hazel, dogwood and roses, but you can choose shrubs that fit your taste. Consider shrubs that offer an interesting texture that complements, or contrasts with, your tree selections and offers multiseason color. Think of shrubs as more than a foundation plant, and use them to create a living fence for privacy, to improve a view from a window or to hide an unsightly trash can or air conditioner.

Add perennials to your beds. Native plants epitomize country gardens because the original country gardeners used what they had on hand instead of purchasing exotic plants. Common favorite perennials include purple coneflower, Shasta daisy, black-eyed Susans, coreopsis, fern, hostas and climbers such as clematis and climbing hydrangea. Group perennials in clusters of three or five of like plants to create a pleasing balance, and use like plants in separate bed areas for continuity. Use a number of different perennials in different sizes, colors and textures to create a space pleasing to you.

Plant annuals, herbs and vegetables. Must-have annuals in the country garden include foxglove, pansy, hollyhock, cleome, Johnny-jump-ups, sweet pea, petunia and cosmos. Herbs and vegetables grow among other plants in proximity to the kitchen door versus having their own garden bed away from the house.