House History Research

This year, I have made a conscious effort to start building my cottage garden. As a complete amateur (aka: having literally never grown anything before, other than cress during a science experiment at school), I had a huge amount of naivety and a lot to learn. I didn’t realise how expensive it is to buy established plants, and how long it takes for a garden to grow – year one they sleep, year two they creep, year three they leap (or so the saying goes).

With a lot of work still to do on the inside of the house, I unfortunately don’t have much of a budget for the garden. I learned very quickly that choosing low-maintenance, hardy perennials that come back every year, without requiring much help, is the best way forward for creating structure. Here are five plants that – through trial, error, and tears… I can confidently say I’d recommend for beginner gardeners. I have planted all of these in my own garden, and would definitely plant again.

Salvia (Caradonna, Nemerosa, Hot Lips & Amethyst)

I love this plant so much that I’ve planted four different varieties in one border! It’s a hit with bees, mostly left alone by pests, flowers like crazy, isn’t toxic to pets, and smells sensational… there’s really nothing not to love about ornamental sage.

Salvia Caradonna and Nemerosa are both hardy perennial varieties. I’ve also planted Hot Lips and Amethyst Lips, which are a bit more shrubby and slightly more tender in colder areas, though I treat mine as normal perennials and provide a bit of protection during particularly cold winters. The flowers are so cute!

Salvia has always been a staple in traditional cottage gardens, but I think it has a place in any outdoor space. Just be sure to plant it in well-draining soil – especially over winter, when damp can be a problem.

Lavender / Lavendula

Another traditional cottage garden favourite, especially loved by pollinators. I chose ‘Lavandula Stoechas’ (commonly known as French lavender). It has a different growth habit and flower shape compared to English types like ‘Hidcote’.

I chose to plant mine in my gravel garden where the soil is poor and dry – conditions lavender does well in. I’ve also used it as a companion plant for my Madame Alfred Carrière roses, since it helps attract beneficial insects that prey on common rose pests. It’s also great for cut flowers and smells wonderful, both indoors and outdoors.

Astrantia

A low-maintenance perennial that I’d love to plant more of in my garden. Astrantia produces beautiful little flowers that sway gracefully in the wind. This plant is largely left alone by pests, can handle a partially shady spot, and tends to just get on with things – a great choice for hands-off or beginner gardeners like me!

Foxgloves

An absolute favourite of mine for introducing some vertical structure (and drama) to your outdoor space. Foxgloves are relatively low-maintenance, high-impact plants. They do need staking, as the flower spikes can shoot up to 2m tall! I just use bamboo and plant ties, which is easy and cheap. You can also get dwarf varieties which don’t require the support. Unfortunately, all parts of the plant are very toxic to both humans and pets – but that also means slugs and snails tend to leave them alone too.

The bees love them, and although they are not technically a perennial, they self-seed like crazy, meaning you’ll always have plants returning the following year. I’ve also attempted to grow several foxgloves from seed this year, and they’ve been relatively easy to grow so far. I’ll report back on that progress when I plant them into the ground later in the summer.

Geranium ‘Rozanne’

An absolute must in any cottage garden – and for very good reason. The Geranium ‘Rozanne’ is a hardy perennial that blooms non-stop from late spring until the first frosts. Slugs and snails tend to leave it alone, it doesn’t need deadheading, and its growth habit works hard. It grows in a mounded shape, often coming back bigger and better every year, but without being too invasive.

It’s the perfect weed-suppressor and ground-cover for gaps at the front or mid-border – and the flowers are beautiful.

Final Thoughts

These are five plants I would use time and time again in any garden, especially a cottage-inspired one. They bring lots of pollinators into the garden, don’t require much maintenance, and aren’t a huge target for pests. Are you planning what to plant in your own garden at the moment? Why not start with some of these!