California Cottage Garden Style

What Is a Cottage Garden?

A cottage garden is a timeless, informal, and romantic garden style that uses a layered approach to growing food, herbs, and flowers in a small space.

Some people may wonder if a cottage garden - evoking images of the Victorian English countryside - could be suitable for the Bay Area. But did you know that California has its own unique take on the cottage garden?

In this blog post, you will learn what makes a cottage garden special and how Californian gardeners have created a version of this style that is all our own!

Originally, cottage gardens were places where people utilized small plots of land to grow the things they needed - food, herbs, and medicine. Similarly, the California cottage garden has evolved out of practicality within the past 20 years:

1. Because of... two historic droughts, lawns have been replaced with less thirsty alternatives

2. Because of... a global pandemic, interest in hands-on gardening has boomed.

3. Because of... climate change, “eat local” has blossomed.

4. Because of... food inequality (“food deserts”), urban gardening became a revolution. 

Cottage Style Points:

• Romantic, charming, timeless look

• Informal (meandering pathways, organic, natural forms)

• Features “blousy” plants, soft drifts of color

• Uses easy-to-grow plants (with room for collections and curiosities)

• Fruit trees, berry bushes, easy vegetables (even in the front yard!)

• Incorporates utility aspects (compost bins, chickens, bee boxes!)

• Whimsical touches (you live here)

• Use of re-purposed, upcycled materials

• Minimal (or no) lawn

Make it Californian!

I hope you can see how this lawn-minimizing, casual, and environmentally-friendly style aligns with how our gardens have been evolving!  The California cottage garden has much the same features as the classic version but with a regional twist. Succulents, flax, and even palms mix with roses and colorful easy-care perennials. Self-seeding wildflowers take the place of fussier annuals and bulbs. California natives like Ceanothus replace conventional favorites such as lilac.

• Starring California natives!

• Water-conserving

• Builds soil health

• Wildlife-friendly 

  
  

• Uses natural, locally sourced materials

  
  

• Community friendly (welcoming messages, free fruit, recycled books)

  
  

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I love a cottage garden!

Perhaps I’m just an old-fashioned romantic, but I believe that no other style creates a sense of place or shows the heart of the gardener like a cottage garden. Here at Bo Firestone Trees & Gardens, we specialize in the design and care of California cottage gardens.  Need help with refreshing your own outdoor space? Reach out to our team of plant experts and designers today!

Click Here!