English Cottage Garden Style

English Cottage Gardens are the epitome of charm, character, and timeless planting. Known for their relaxed, informal layouts, these gardens combine lush perennials, scented shrubs, and climbing plants to create a sense of abundance and natural beauty. From tall delphiniums and hollyhocks to drifts of lavender and sweetly scented stocks, the planting is designed to provide colour, texture, and seasonal interest throughout the year.

Paths of natural stone, picket fences, and gravel borders add structure while keeping the garden inviting and accessible. Fruit trees such as apple, pear, or plum not only provide spring blossom and summer fruit but also lend a sense of permanence and scale. Herbs and edible plants, from rosemary and thyme to colourful vegetables tucked among the beds, add fragrance, flavour, and practicality to the design.

Whether your space is a compact city plot or a sprawling country garden, the English Cottage style offers endless opportunities for creativity. In this collection of garden examples, we showcase different themes, planting combinations, and design ideas to inspire your own charming, colourful, and inviting cottage garden.

English Cottage Garden Examples

While an English Cottage Garden allows for almost endless variety, there are some quintessential plants that help define the style. Shrubs such as roses, Philadelphus, and Buddleia provide structure and form, while perennials like delphiniums, hollyhocks, and lupins add height, grandeur, and seasonal drama to the borders. Annuals also flourish in this setting, with vibrant options such as cosmos, night-scented stocks, and flowering tobacco adding colour and unforgettable fragrance. Even the smallest garden benefits from a small tree or two—fruit trees such as apple, pear, or plum are ideal, offering the added delight of spring blossom displays.

A thoughtfully planted selection of bulbs ensures year-round interest. Classics such as tulips (Ballerina is a personal favourite), English bluebells, snowdrops, and alliums bring seasonal charm and variety. And don’t forget to incorporate scented or edible herbs—and if you’re feeling adventurous, why not mix in some vegetables among your flower beds for a truly authentic cottage garden feel?

New planting in Martham garden by Richard Walters

Delta's Sara Fuchsia at East Ruston Old Vicarage Gardens