I wanted to wait for a nice sunny day to show you how my cottage garden is coming along but since it may be quite some time before we have another sunny day, I thought I'd show you today. I'm pretty sure everyone in the neighborhood thought we were a bit crazy when we put up the picket fence last spring. I imagine there was more than 1 phone call to the Home Owners Association about it. Luckily we had our plans approved beforehand. Now that the plants are starting to grow in, my vision is coming to life & I'm actually starting to get compliments on it. I bought some foxgloves to plant between the boxwood and the fence on this side to help give some height until the plants get bigger and the climbing roses really take off.
This is the backside of the fence and the view I see the most of from inside the house. I want to get this planted quickly so everything will have a chance to get big. What you see in this picture is actually just half the fence. It's 12 feet long and 32 inches deep.
I'm thinking foxglove in the center, flanked by this bright eyes phlox and
some coneflowers in one of these colors (depending on what I can find) on either side. I love the cottage look but I also don't want it to look to busy. I'd love to hear what you would plant here if this were your spot.
The fence looks great! I like the idea of roses and the foxgloves...although you don't wat to over do it, SO I would out one of those smaller shephard hooks (those in between sizes...not big not small, maybe about 4') inthe ground and hang a really pretty hanging basket to bring the color up and get that instant gratification.
ReplyDeleteThe shepard hooks idea is great! You could also grow some Cosmos, snapdragons, and other cottage style annuals. I really love hydrangeas. There is a new one that blooms all summer long called Endless Summer. I blooms on new and old wood, hence the long bloom time. Love the fence and foxgloves are one of my favs. Cheers
ReplyDeleteDear Jen.... what a beautiful yard!! I love the foxgloves & the phlox.... I would be happy to have your yard to look at in my neighborhood!
ReplyDeleteLove the picket fence - your yard is just beautiful Jen. We have a picket fence in front of our home with an English country garden too filled with cosmos, daisies, hollyhock, rose of sharon, hosta, peony, lambs ears, foxglove, delphinium & coneflowers. I have a pic in my archives (Oct 1/06) It's been thinned out a few times since then as the plants can all be divided up :-} Happy planting!
ReplyDeleteThe coneflowers are my two favorite colors! Where are you that they are in bloom already as we are just beginning Spring!! Lovely picket fence!
ReplyDeleteI'd say your front yard is coming along quite nicely. The flowers add such lovely color.
ReplyDeleteThe coneflowers are just to die for! I felt for a moment I was transported back to the countryside in Europe while viewing your photos. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Rosalyn-Sue
What a lovely garden you're developing, Jen! Please continue to share photos as it goes into bloom.
ReplyDelete(BTW, the title of your Mother's Day post gave me a big grin. VERY clever!)
Love the picket fence. We had some frence put a picket fence in their yard as well and they had LOTS of complaints...but yes it was approved before as well! Oh! Foxgloves are so pretty and will look very cottage garden! Enjoy your gardening!
ReplyDeleteSarah
http://vintagelily.typepad.com/my_weblog/
Your cottage garden in coming along nicely. Foxglove is the perfect addition to a cottage garden. I would be careful with the Phlox. I love it too but have a huge issue with powdery mildew. Another plant that would look nice with your climbing roses is catnip. It has a pretty small purple flower and blooms spring and summer. It also spreads pretty quickly....good bang for your buck. Just a suggestion.
ReplyDeleteKeep us posted.
Your fence looks great! I can't wait to see the completed project.
ReplyDeleteWe have plans for a picket fence next year - it will be considerably longer than yours (read lots of $$) as we want to fence in a section of the front yard so the dogs can go out without having to worry about them getting in the street.
Love your fence and vision...whatever you choose to do, I'm sure it will be lovely!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful... beautiful! Love that fence, the foxgloves (are they hard to cultivate?), love the Cosmos and Snapdragons.... I so love nature!
ReplyDeleteand by the way, commenting on your coment about "shoes" on my blog, something funny: My dad once counted all my shoes and he came with the amazing total of 36 pairs... He couldn’t believe it! What he didn’t know though was that those were only my summer shoes. My winter shoes and boots were hiding :)
I love shoes...
Have a great weekend, my dear
Cielo
I just love foxgloves! They make any cottage look better. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful cottage garden you are creating. I think anything pink will do, and shasta daisies are always fitting...
ReplyDeleteLove it!
Linda
Lovin the fence and cottage appeal!!!! I love your blog so much and think your style is great!
ReplyDeletethose all sound like lovely plants to try in the area.
ReplyDeletegood luck with your flower garden. wishing you a lovely weekend.
Tina
p.s. feel free to stop by my blog where a giveaway is going on now.
My dream fence...I love it ! And your flowers look fabulous!
ReplyDeletehugs, bj
Okay, first of all that you had to have a picket fence approved baffles me! Everything is enhanced by white picket fences-don't people know that! And I can't wait to see when things are in bloom! Looks great so far!
ReplyDeleteWow I love your cute place! All the flowers are beautiful too!!!
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Really picture perfect picket fence!
ReplyDeleteWonderful read and beautiful pictures!! I love the fence, it looks exactly the same in my dreams :) And ofcourse it is white!
ReplyDeleteAina
Foxglove - definitely! They are so beautiful and dramatic. I love the picket fence and I'm always curious as to why one would need approval for something like that.
ReplyDeleteWhen it all fills in it will be spectacular. Remember what they say about perennials - the first year they sleep, the second year they creep and the third year they leap!
- Suzanne, the Farmer's Wife
Hi Jen :)
ReplyDeleteI live in a neighborhood much like yours, so I understand trying to stand out from the other houses. You're doing a great job and I can't imagine anyone complaining unless they were jealous.
I love your flowers selections. I would add daisies and hydrangeas :)
Have a beautiful day,
rue
Love the fence!!
ReplyDeleteI have iceberg roses and hydrangeas.
I hope you get it exactly the way you want it.
Rosemary
Your fence really looks nice we have one in our yard also. A girl can never have enough decorations inside or out. I love your blog i read it daily i just got mine for mothers day my daughter started it for me . So i'am sure glad i can finally leave a comment.. Toni
ReplyDeleteYour yard is beautiful!!! It looks like such a darling and cozy little cottage, I am loving it! Keep up the amazing work:)
ReplyDeleteOne word: Briliant! Okay two words: Gorgeous! :) xoxo~Lolly Jane
ReplyDeletelove love to see garden pics... yours is lovely... thanks for sharing
ReplyDeletecielo