There’s something timeless and soul-soothing about a cottage garden. Wild and whimsical, overflowing with flowers and herbs, it feels like stepping into a fairytale - or maybe just a softer way of living. But here’s the beautiful thing: you don’t need a sprawling countryside estate to create your own little slice of garden magic. My cottage garden began in the tiniest corner of my backyard, and slowly, over seasons and Sunday mornings, it grew to take over the whole space - veggie patches, a dreamy dahlia patch, and all.
Whether you’ve got a big block, a courtyard, or even just a sunny windowsill, you can start creating a garden that feels like home. Here’s how.
Start with a Corner and Let It Unfold
When I first began, I planted a few herbs, some lavender, and sweet peas along the back fence - nothing fancy, just a quiet little nook. Over time, I watched it bloom and tangle, bees buzzing, blossoms reaching for the sun, and I fell completely in love. It didn’t happen overnight. It grew with me. One corner became a whole garden, then veggie beds were built, then I planted dahlias (which became a full-blown obsession), and now every corner feels like it’s humming with life.
So start small. A few pots, a garden bed, or a windowsill planter is enough. The magic lies in watching it grow.
Embrace the Wild & Whimsical
Cottage gardens aren’t about straight lines or manicured edges. They’re messy in the most beautiful way. Let your plants mingle - roses with rosemary, mint beside marigolds. Tuck edible flowers between your veg. Let things spill over the edges. The charm is in the abundance, the gentle chaos.
Choose Plants That Make Your Heart Sing
Some of my favourite cottage garden companions:
- Sweet peas – for their fragrance and old-world charm
- Lavender & chamomile – calming, useful, and beautiful
- Cosmos, delphinium, and foxglove – soft and dreamy
- Thyme, oregano, and mint – easy-to-grow herbs that smell divine
- Dahlias – bold, showy, and utterly addictive once you fall for them
Choose what thrives in your climate (South Aussie gardeners, we’re lucky to grow so many of these with a bit of love and mulch). Visit local nurseries, swap seedlings with friends, or grow from seed to make it even more special.
Add a Little Structure (Softly)
A cottage garden still needs a few anchors - think arched trellises for climbing sweet peas, old chairs turned plant stands, weathered pots, and garden paths made from salvaged bricks or stepping stones. Repurposed vintage finds bring so much soul to the space and tell their own stories alongside the plants.
Garden as a Ritual, Not a Chore
Tending a cottage garden is a ritual. Early morning watering with a cup of tea in hand, deadheading flowers while your little one plays in the soil, harvesting herbs for dinner or your bath. It becomes part of your rhythm, a grounding act that draws you closer to the seasons.
For me, gardening is sacred. It’s where I connect, dream, and create. It’s also where many of my products are born - from the everlasting flowers I dry and use in arrangements to the herbs that make their way into my candles and skin care.
Invite the Magic In
A cottage garden is more than just a pretty space - it’s a little ecosystem of wonder. Grow for the bees and butterflies. Dry your blooms and hang them in your kitchen. Let your children (or your inner child) pick wildflower bouquets. Use your garden to nourish not only your body, but your spirit, too.
And if you’re not quite ready to plant your own patch yet, you can still bring that feeling inside. My everlasting floral arrangements are made with preserved and silk blooms that never fade - each one a little nod to cottage garden days, captured in time.
Let It Grow With You
The most beautiful gardens are the ones that grow slowly, lovingly, over time. Don’t rush it. Don’t worry if it doesn’t look like the Pinterest version right away. Let your garden reflect you - wild, growing, soft around the edges.
So my Wildflowers, start with a single pot or a quiet corner. Plant something that makes you smile. And then? Watch the magic unfold.
Wishing you all a wonderful week and happy gardening!
With love and wildflowers,
Kels x