Many people wonder which is the best cottage garden shrubs to choose. With a little research, they find that there are many to choose from. These shrubs can be used for privacy, decoration, or as an edging natural piece of scenery. They are available in many sizes, heights and shapes, all of which are designed for various uses. Here are some criteria to consider when choosing these plants:
Size – Most cottage gardens are usually quite small, with just four to ten feet of clearance on each side. Less than fifteen feet in height at maturity. Multiple stems growing towards the center from a singular point on the earth. responds very well to pruning. Has strong year-round foliage, which can be kept growing with minimal pruning. Flowers may come in season, and blooms change often.
Color – The most popular shrub types are English cottage garden shrubs, and others that are becoming more popular include rhododendrons, crabgrass, daisies, and sunflowers. These choices provide a focal point that is functional, such as a bench, flower bed, or rocker. Some, like the crabgrass and daisy, are planted as a border, while others are planted up against a wall. If you choose, you can even use several of these plants to create a border. Consider the effects of sunlight, as well as of shade, as you select plants for your landscape.
Location – Different shrub types are more appropriate for certain areas than others. For example, crabgrass is ideal for sunny areas, because of its blue-green leaves. It is also a good choice for coastal areas, since it is able to tolerate salt air. Other evergreen cottage garden shrubs, however, are not very good candidates for the coast. These include roses, daffodils, tulips, and sunflowers.
Choices for Flowers – Most plants require flowers to thrive, and English cottage garden design includes an ample supply of flowers. perennials, such as hydrangeas, daffodils, and violets, can be planted year-round. Some, such as sunflowers, can be started from seed in the spring.
Soil – This is one of the most important parts of planting an evergreen cottage garden. Different types of turf, such as wood chips, provide different levels of permanency, color, and texture to the planting area. There are some evergreen shrubs, such as rhododendrons, crabgrass, and sunflowers, that do better in soil that is moist and rich with nutrients, such as phosphorous. Other plants should be planted, in order to enhance the colors, textures, and height of the evergreen foliage.
Container Gardening – Cottage garden ideas involve creating containers that can be used year-round as beautiful borders or focal points. The most popular containers include planting beds, window boxes, arches, planters, fountains, rocks, bricks, stones, and containers. However, any container that allows you to plant a single plant without the use of tools is acceptable. For instance, you can group several varieties of flowers together in a bed of sunflowers, or place a few crabgrass plants among a few crabgrass seeds.
Fragrant Planting – If you are looking for an easy way to add fragrance to your cottage garden, consider using Rosemary. This herb has a pleasing smell that is inviting, and its scent reminds one of brides. Planting Rosemary in groups can make a small island appear bigger, and the scent will spread over a larger area. To protect Rosemary from deer, make sure you don’t have any tall bushes directly behind it. Rosemary should also be kept in an area that receives regular fertilizer, as this will help keep the scent at its peak. Mature plants should be harvested at about three to four inches deep.
