Since turning my boring backyard into a cozy English cottage garden, my morning coffee has become my favorite part of the day.
I love sitting out there watching butterflies bounce between the flowers while bees buzz around doing their thing.
It feels like my own little piece of heaven right outside my back door.
Want to know which plants helped me create this magical space?
Top 7 Plants for an English Cottage Garden
1. Peach Leaf Bellflower (Campanula persicifolia)
My love affair with bellflowers began three summers ago when I spotted them at a local nursery. Their delicate blue-purple blooms dance on tall stems throughout most of summer, making them perfect for fresh-cut bouquets.
What I adore most about these charming plants is their gentle self-seeding habit. Each spring, I discover them in new spots around my garden, creating delightful surprises.
Unlike their more aggressive cousins, these bellflowers know how to play nice with their neighbors.
2. Cottage Pinks (Dianthus plumarius)
The first time I brushed against my cottage pinks while weeding, their spicy fragrance stopped me in my tracks. These petite beauties have become the stars of my front border, their fringed petals adding a touch of whimsy.
I’ve planted them along my garden path, where guests can’t resist running their hands through them as they walk by.
Modern varieties now come in an amazing array of colors beyond traditional pink, and I’ve found they’re practically bulletproof. Not only do they laugh at drought, but deer and rabbits turn up their noses at them – though butterflies can’t seem to get enough!
3. Delphiniums
I’ll be honest – delphiniums tested my patience at first. These gorgeous prima donnas demand perfect conditions, but oh my, are they worth it!
I’ve learned to plant them in a sheltered corner where they’re protected from strong winds and heavy rain. When I remember to cut the spent blooms down to ground level, they reward me with a second show of flowers that last well into fall.
These stunning spires even manage to look elegant with a light frost dusting their petals.
4. Hollyhocks
Nothing says “cottage garden” quite like hollyhocks standing tall against a fence or wall. Their towering presence in my garden never fails to draw admiring glances from passersby.
I’ve collected varieties ranging from pure white to nearly black, creating a dramatic backdrop that changes through the seasons.
The large, lobed leaves add wonderful texture even before the blooms appear, and watching bees and butterflies flock to these nectar-rich flowers has become one of my favorite summer pastimes.
5. Lavender
On warm summer evenings, the lavender-lined path to my front door becomes pure therapy. That calming scent follows me everywhere, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I’ve planted them in the sunniest, driest spot in my garden – right where other plants would struggle. Their neat, mounded shape keeps my pathways looking tidy without any fuss.
The constant buzz of happy bees and flutter of butterflies around these purple beauties brings my garden to life.
6. Garden Phlox (Phlox paniculata)
Just when my early summer flowers start to fade, my garden phlox step into the spotlight. Their generous clusters of blooms keep the show going for over a month.
After losing several plants to powdery mildew in my first attempt, I switched to modern varieties bred for resistance. Now they sail through our humid summers without missing a beat.
The hummingbirds visiting these flowers have become such regular guests, I’ve named a few of them!
7. Roses
No English garden feels complete without roses, and I’ve incorporated them everywhere. Climbing roses scramble over my arbor, creating a romantic entrance that stops traffic.
Sturdy shrub roses serve double duty, supporting my clematis vines while putting on their own spectacular show.
I especially treasure my modern English roses – they offer all the charm and heavenly scent of heirloom varieties but with much better disease resistance.
Wrapping Up
Creating an English cottage garden takes time and patience, but the rewards are beyond worth it. Each season brings new surprises as plants mature and settle into their spaces.
With these seven essential plants as your foundation, you’re well on your way to creating your own enchanting cottage garden paradise.