How to Plant an English Garden

Mark out your beds and borders using string and pegs. All beds in an English garden should be curved, as straight edges are reserved for formal or contemporary gardens only.

Plan out where your pathways and walkways will be situated. Only narrow paths are necessary as the focus in an English garden is always on the plants and flowers and how to fit in as many as possible.

Plant your shrubs and trees first as these will create the main structure of the garden. Once these are in place, plant any bulbs and perennial seeds you want to. Fill in the gaps with annuals and bedding plants for some instant color.

Erect a pergola or gazebo in a nice sunny spot in the garden. Climbers such as clematis or sweet peas should be planted beneath so they grow up the sides.

Gather together some recycled items from the house or even purchase some second hand items from a yard sale. Old sinks, chimney pots or even old bathtubs can all be used to plant a mixture of plants and flowers. Adding paraphernalia such as this into the garden provides a cozy and very creative look.

Plant in pots and any other container you have with even more plants. English cottage gardeners always run out of space on their borders so rely on containers for extra room. Place the pots on pathways, patios and in other sunny spots around the garden.