Cottage garden borders evoke the senses with rich colours and delightful scents. The famous Edwardian garden designer, Gertrude Jekyll, was indeed renowned for her cottage style border in the great country houses of her time. By following some of her principles we are able to create a true cottage style border effect.

Mixing perennials and annuals, and planting in drifts you will be able to create the relaxed cottage effect. Using planting with pastel shades, silver grey foliage, mauves and purples will help you achieve the feel.

Suggested Plants

Stachys byzantina ‘Silver carpet’ - ground cover perennial with woolly foliage and mauve flowers.

Achillea ptarmica ‘Nana Compacta’ – white button flowers.

Nepeta ‘Six Hills Giant’ – grey-green leaves and long stems are topped by speckles of blue flowers.

Ageratum houstonianum – annual with feathery brush like flowers.

Santolina chamaecyparissus – evergreen shrub with silvery shoots.