Ever see those beautiful, wild-looking gardens on social media and think “I wish my yard looked like that”?
Well, I’m here to tell you it’s totally doable!
These 7 plants are my go-to picks for creating a gorgeous cottage garden without the stress.
Top 7 Cottage Garden Plants
1. Delphiniums
I’ll never forget the first time I saw delphiniums growing in my neighbor’s garden – they literally stopped me in my tracks! These gorgeous flowers grow in tall, bright columns that add instant drama to any garden space.
They remind me of those dreamy English gardens you see in movies, but don’t let that intimidate you. They grow beautifully right here in the U.S.
One of my favorite things about delphiniums is how they attract butterflies and bees to my garden. My kids love watching these little visitors flutter around the tall, colorful blooms.
2. Foxgloves
If you’re looking for a conversation starter in your garden, foxgloves are it! These tall beauties produce the most enchanting bell-shaped flowers with tiny speckles inside.
I’ve found them to be surprisingly easy to grow – they shoot up quickly and flower in their second year.
Quick warning though: while these are stunning to look at, they’re not kid or pet-friendly. I keep them in the back of my borders, well away from where my curious toddler and dog like to explore.
3. Hollyhocks
Want to add some serious height and old-world charm to your garden? Hollyhocks are your answer!
I love planting these along my back fence – they create the most beautiful backdrop with their funnel-shaped flowers in every color imaginable, from pure white to deep purple.
While they can handle some shade, I’ve had the best success placing them in spots that get plenty of sunshine.
4. Snapdragons
These playful flowers hold a special place in my heart because they were the first cottage garden plants I ever grew!
Even though they don’t last forever (technically they’re perennials, but I treat them like annuals), they’re absolutely worth replanting each year.
I tuck them everywhere – in my flower beds, window boxes, and even in pots on my patio. They come in different sizes too, from tiny ones perfect for containers to tall varieties that make gorgeous cut flowers.
5. Coneflowers
Living in the South, I needed flowers that could handle our hot, humid summers without constant babying. Enter coneflowers – my garden’s most reliable performers!
These tough-as-nails flowers laugh in the face of heat, drought, and even deer (which used to be the bane of my gardening existence).
I plant them in spring and they reward me with non-stop blooms all summer long. Just make sure they have well-draining soil and they’ll be happy as can be.
6. Phlox
When I want to add a burst of color without a lot of fuss, phlox is my go-to choice. These sweet clusters of flowers bring such charm to the garden.
They’re incredibly low-maintenance – just give them sunshine and decent soil, and they’ll come back year after year to brighten up your space.
I use the tall varieties to add height to my borders, while the shorter ones make adorable ground covers in my rock garden. Just remember to give them regular water and they’ll keep the show going all season.
7. Bearded Iris
If you’re looking for a flower that can handle whatever Mother Nature throws at it, bearded iris is your plant! These hardy performers have survived everything from summer heatwaves to winter freezes in my garden.
The fragrant blooms they produce each spring are simply gorgeous, and the stems grow nice and tall (usually 2-4 feet in my experience).
Just remember to plant them where they’ll get plenty of sun – I learned the hard way that shade makes them sulk and can lead to disease problems.