Corner Cottage Garden

Trying again 2025

Plants

Globe Thistle- back of border, seeds

Russian Sage- transplants from front slope

Lavender- front of border, potted plants (if they survive)

Salvia Farinacea- leftover seeds, in the future, find a light purple variety

Coreopsis American Dream- front of border, seeds

Spotted Bee Balm- front of border, seeds

Veronica White Wands- 3 plants Bluestone Perennials 2025

Hyssop blue- as a border or specimen plant

Herbs: dill, fennel, borage, anise hyssop (move from the veggie garden), feverfew (small daisy)

New plants to try in 2026

Calendula Zeolights or Snow Princess- seed 

White Swan Coneflower- seed 

Canterbury Bells white or the periwinkle if you can find seeds

Phlox-

Snapdragons- Can be a little tricky to start from seed, but come in so many colors! 

Cranesbill- Hardy Geranium

Purple sage- foliage for cottage garden

African Daisy- I really don't have room for anything else starting from seed this year. But I do have those leftover seeds.... I really like how they look and are very unique.

Try pinching young African daisies two or three times early in the growing season, creates a sturdy stem and a full, bushy plant. Simply pinch the tips of new growth, removing the stem to the second set of leaves. Don’t pinch the plant after flower buds appear, as you’ll delay blooming.

Cottage Garden 2024

Globe Thistle (Echinops) growing with
  Veronica White Wands and Russian Sage.

Maybe this is the time to go back to that far corner of the property and plant something. I really like so many of the "cottage garden" plants, but they don't fit in the formal perennial bed or the front slope. This spot might just work out. The two problems are that the soil is not good and that it is a long way to drag a hose to water. So, amend this soil with a few bags of compost, alternate the sprinkler between the wildflower bed and here. Will also have to trim back the crappy tree so this whole corner is not shaded. 

White Swan Coneflower 
                                                          

I really like the Echinops Globe Thistle, it might be the kind of thing that easily gets out of control by self-seeding, so maybe the front slope is not a good space for it. It seems that the Veitch's Blue is a little more restrained. I like the look of it with the Veronica. I also  wonder how it would look with White Swan coneflower. All are a  similar 36"+ tall. This would be great in the back of the garden.

Because it will be right next to the Blush and Cream border, try to keep a similar theme. Use mainly white or pastel colors.  If I use up the blue flowers that didn't work out on the front slope, this should look ok. Some of these tall flowers need supports. Clear the ugly brush from this area, but add tall stakes and twine for supports.

Transplants

Move all of the cottage garden plants off the front slope and into this corner. The front slope really should be more low-growing, mounding type flowers and shrubs.

Globe Thistle

Russian Sage

Yarrow

Salvia Farniacea- short sage, use in front of bed

Since re-thinking the lavender in the front of the garden, the cottage corner might be the only place for it. I've seen some gardens with lavender in the front. Move lavender from garbage can bed and herb garden to this spot. Make sure it is in the sunny corner.

Move the Dianthus Arctic Fire to the front of this bed. 

If they come back up, move the Delphinium to this corner. Maybe try Winter Sowing, this seems to be recommended. They were difficult to start inside last year. 

See what comes up on the slope from last year and move those to the corner: Yarrow, Russian Sage, Salvia Farincea, Globe Thistle, etc...

When the catmint is ready to divide again, perhaps in two years, add the divisions in the front of this Corner Cottage garden bed. This might be a good time to replace the Walkers low with Walkers Deep Blue.

Direct Sow

Use up the rest of these seeds (direct sow) cornflower, yarrow, nigella, Russian Sage, African Daisy, Salvia Farincea, Globe Thistle

Also ordered White coneflower and White Veronica to add to this corner. Will start these by winter sowing. 

Front of Bed

Dianthus Arctic Fire- transplant from front slope to the front of this bed

Bloody Cranesbill- Geranium- clump forming, maybe purchase next year

Coreopsis uptick Cream- Large creamy white flowers reveal a buttery yellow aura that peeks around a golden-orange button center. Height 12-14″.

Lambs Ear- transplant where there is enough in the front slope

Pearl Yarrow- once the front slope has enough