Part 3: How to Plan and Execute a Cottage Garden: Time To Start Planting

There’s something magical about the moment the plants arrive—fresh from Jackson & Perkins, bursting with promise. In Part Three of our cottage garden journey, it’s time to get our hands in the soil and begin planting. But first, we plan. If you have not read part one and part two, start here.

Whether you’re starting a brand-new bed or expanding an existing one, the first step is always the same: define your shape. I like to do this the old-fashioned way—with a garden hose. Simply lay it on the ground and curve it into natural, flowing lines until the bed feels right. There’s no need to overthink it—cottage gardens are meant to feel relaxed and organic.

Once your shape is decided, it’s time to prep the area. You can either remove the sod entirely or try a no-dig method by layering cardboard and compost right over the grass. Since I waited a little too long in the season, I opted to remove the sod—this gave me a clean slate to work with.

Next comes the secret to a thriving bed: healthy soil. I amended mine generously with compost to create a rich, crumbly base for my plants to stretch their roots into. I dig the holes the size of the pot using my garden auger and fill the holes with Espoma Biotone.

When it came time to plant, I followed a simple design principle: layer by height. Along the edges, I tucked in low-growing favorites like Nepeta ‘Cat’s Pajamas’,  Phlox Candy Stripe, and Geranium Dragon Heart. These soft borders will spill charmingly over the path as they mature. Behind them, I planted medium-height plants including Salvia Rose Marvel, Veronica Perfectly Picasso, and Echinacea PowWow Wild Berry. All of these will add movement and color. Finally, in the back I added Sarah Bernhardt Peony, and Earth Angel Rose for a touch of height and drama. I added a climbing Kiss Me Kate Arbor Rose to an obelisk near the center and I already had the New Dawn climbing up a birdhouse —a focal point that draws the eye upward and adds that vertical interest every cottage garden craves. And of course, I kept space for a few existing perennials I’ve been nurturing. They’ll blend beautifully with these new additions, creating a layered look that feels like it’s been here forever. 

My goal was to recreate a garden bed that you helped go viral by using all Jackson and Perkins small one quart perennials . It doesn’t matter the size of your garden big or small or the size of your budget, anyone can create a cottage garden using a few simple principles: informal layout, mix of plants planted low to high, color and texture I chose pinks purples and whites, vertical interest and finally personal touches to create whimsy. Have fun creating a cottage garden of your dreams.

Next up: watering, mulching, and watching it all come to life.