I have lived in Italy for quite a few years now but still have fond memories of English Cottage Garden Flowers.
Memories of English Cottage Garden Flowers
What Is An English Cottage Garden?
It is said that the best flowers look like they planted themselves and of course that is part of the intention of an English Cottage Garden. Plants tumble over the edge of walls and pathways, lawns are tufts of grass with flowers. Everything looks unplanned and natural.
The concept of the English Cottage Garden goes back to Elizabethan times with food plants and herbs planted alongside flowers. Apart from being pretty, the flowers had the added benefit of attracting pollinating insects. Herbs were grown then for medicinal purposes, rather than culinary as we do now. But the flowers had a purpose too.
According to Wikipedia, violets were strewn on the floor (keeping out vermin but also providing a pleasant scent). Calendulas and Primroses were used in cooking (though also pretty to look at). Other flowering plants were grown because they were good to look at. This includes tall hollyhocks at the back of the border and, my own personal favorite flower, Sweet William.
Having plants packed together also cut back on weeding and watering and that can’t be a bad thing in my view.
A Sweet Poem About A Country Garden
This is a lovely little poem by Cecil Lees.
It is only a country garden,
With flowers sweet and rare,
Where honey bees hum merrily
And butterflies are there.
It is only a country garden
It’s near to god they say
Where you can ponder for a while,
At the end of every day.
It is only a country garden, where the sweetest roses grow,
And the birds are always singing
From dawn til evenings grow.
It’s just a glimpse of heaven,
Beneath a sky of blue,
It’s only a country garden,
But it holds my love, and you.
Video of English Cottage Garden Flowers
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Before you go
My name is Dorothy Berry-Lound an artist and writer. You can find out more about my art and writing at https://dorothyberryloundart.com.
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Thank you for reading!
Lovely poem, thank you
I feel much better about my garden now than I did before reading this. I’ve wanted a cottage garden look, but wasn’t really sure if I was on the right track. It’s been pretty easy this past couple of years because I haven’t had much gardening time and I’ve had health issues. This means the garden has pretty much done its own thing, multiplying as it pleases. I’m afraid some weeds did sneak in, but considering everything, I’m pretty happy.
Just tell everyone it is English Cottage Garden style Barbara. You know, I like weeds, often the flowers are really pretty – and they are free!
Yes it is a lovely poem, thanks for commenting.
Such a wonderful read.
Thank you for your lovely comment.