Calhoun County, AL – Many gardeners enjoy a relaxed Southern style of gardening. Their use of farming fences, sheds, and rustic themes lies at the heart of Country Cottage Plantings. The basic idea is to plant vegetables together with flowers. When creating a casual gardening island, you need vertical eye appeal—such as by using seeds like castor beans, which grow 7 to 9 feet tall. Castor beans have strong stalks in wine-bronze hues, and their leaves are broad with ball-shaped seed pods. These giants tower over the squash and sedums.
It’s a good idea in Country Cottage Plantings to include large potted plants, such as hibiscus, for vertical color. The more tall plantings you create, the more you draw attention to the ground-level plants. The biggest mistake is failing to incorporate a variety of plant heights.
The difference between Country Cottage Plantings and an English gardening theme may be as simple as not planting roses alongside cucumber vines. Yes—the cottage theme purposefully blends plantings together, rather than separating them into distinct zones.
You can use art objects in each zone to continue your color themes. Adding rustic pathways and a few aged farming tools can inspire your visitors to keep exploring your hidden treasures. Weathered weather vanes, old tractor parts, and tree stumps for seating are just a few decorative ideas.
Always remember to research which plants and vegetables prefer sun and which prefer shade. You want your Country Cottage Plantings to thrive!
Betty Clark is a contributing writer. She has been an organic gardener since 1998. The signature flower she grows is Dahlias. She has a straw bale garden, a raised bed garden, and an in-ground garden. Both her surnames are from agricultural farming families (8 generations). Her hobbies include ancestry research, antiques, continued education classes, and workshops. She also has a background in marketing & promotions, including expos. To contact Betty Clark with gardening questions: bettyclark2151959@gmail.com
