Decorating Cottage Gardens

Plant a profusion of old-fashioned, flowering plants and bushes. Some popular ones used in cottage gardens include: delphiniums, hollyhocks, hydrangeas, roses and lilacs. Cottage gardens are typically planted in shades of pink, lilac, blue, yellow and white.

Include an herb garden as part of your cottage garden. An herb garden serves the dual purpose of adding an attractive element and providing flavorings for your cooking and teas.

Construct paths throughout your cottage garden. Use bricks, stepping stones and crushed gravel to blend in with the natural environment.

Support climbing roses with lattice installed on shed walls and on arches placed over paths and at entrances.

Install a fountain or waterfall, spilling into a small pond. Add goldfish and lily pads to the pond.

Add benches and seating made of metal, concrete or wood. An arbor placed over the seating area and planted with draping flowers such as roses, wisteria, bougainvillea or clematis creates a welcome bit of shade for your cottage garden.

Build a picket fence around the perimeter of your cottage garden. Paint white or leave in a natural weathered state.

Turn a wooden barrel on its side and plant low-growing flowers and ivy in it, allowing the plantings to spill out as if they are flowing from the barrel.

Accessorize your cottage garden with statuary and ornaments such as sundials, weather vanes, birdhouses, and wire hooks to hang baskets of flowers.