Heirloom Perennials
The denizens of the cottage garden are usually of the heirloom variety, because this garden design was patched together from gifted plants, cuttings, collected seeds, pips and volunteer seedlings, which rarely come true from hybrids.
In spring it boasts a delightful mix of primroses, hyacinths, daffodils, bleeding hearts, beardtongues, peonies, columbines, wild geraniums and lily-of-the-valley, quickly followed by the copious greenery of the summer staples, which hide the wilted bulb foliage and allow it to die down in its own time.
Purple coneflowers, lady’s mantle, speedwell, daisies, daylilies, dahlias, gladioli, coreopsis, delphiniums, phlox, pinks, lupines, foxgloves and bellflowers grace the borders all summer, complementing each other’s flowering seasons, in a way that ensures something is always in bloom.
The season concludes with the Oriental lilies, obedient plants, Russian sage, yarrow, hardy mums, and asters, which endure until the first frost.
It is assumed a cottage garden will be basking in full sun, so her perennials are all sun lovers, and bloom abundantly all season long, suffusing the air with fragrance.
It should include a perennial vine, also fragrant, something like honeysuckle, wisteria, clematis or jasmine, to create a lovely backdrop against a wall or cover a trellis.
Last, the unspoken expectation is that every cottage garden must have at least one rose. To stay true to the nostalgic theme, pick an old variety, like Alba, Bourbon or Damask.
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