The Cottage Journal Gardens 2014

We cherish the honor of photographing people’s homes, and we always take the time to peek into their outdoor sanctuaries. Inspired by our love of gardens, we’ve compiled a collection of our most favorite outdoor retreats in our first issue of Cottage Gardens. These pages are filled with ideas for your own gardens and outdoor living spaces, as well as nature-inspired art. Discover a small courtyard with a beautiful wall fountain or a vegetable garden with a potting shed, and be inspired to spend hours enjoying the garden. In my own garden, I have several of mosscovered clay pots and planters ready with rich soil for early spring. I fill my screened porch and patio with rows of colorful blossoms, and I usually get a local garden shop to recommend…

First called watering pots, this garden tool has changed in design only slightly over the years, with a single handle moved toward the back of the can. This “modern” version was designed in 1885. Today you can find metal, ceramic, and even plastic watering cans in all sizes. Our collector started with one simple watering can. And as her garden grew, so did the need to nourish it. She began to search for different cans to keep throughout the blossoming spaces, and little by little, her collection began to sprout. On a trip to England, home of the watering can, she scoured antiques shops until she found a black metal can with a long spout. She carried it home wrapped in a plastic bag while fellow airline passengers looked on…

White picket fences call to mind lazy summer days, a yard full of pets and children, and the ideals of family and home. Before it was associated with the American Dream, the picket fence simply served a purpose—to mark property lines while still allowing for a beautiful view. Popular since colonial days, white picket fences now offer so much more than security to our yards, both in the front and back. No matter the size of your lawn, garden, or home, white picket fences exude charm and cottage style. Style Idea Keep your porch clutter-free with just a few chairs for relaxing. The 􀁹 owers and greenery of your front yard often are the only colorful accessories you need. The simple whitewash of the fence provides a wonderful backdrop for…

A touch of playful whimsy is a signature element for the cottage garden. Repurposed ironwork and festive bottle trees can bring character and a sense of humor to any garden retreat. Of course, every garden can use a generous sprinkling of pixie dust. Whether children frequent your yard or you’re a child at heart, accent the space with sweet surprises like these to lend a youthful sense of wonder to your garden. It’s not hard to imagine tiny feet dancing along the paths and passages of these mini fairy gardens. Delicate foliage and dollhouse-size furniture compose garden vignettes fit for a fairy princess. As in a full-size garden, hardscape elements including arbors and pebble boulders set the framework that ties together the landscape plan, and petite cottages offer more stylish…

Style Idea In the garden, a gate, an arbor, or a trellis provides an excellent anchor for plants such as ivy, roses, or clematis that like to climb and cover. Decorating your landscape with garden art, sculptures, or water features is a great way to enhance your space and showcase your personal style. While garden gnomes and statues of angels, children, and animals may be popular finds in many gardens today, the trend of putting statues outdoors in a place of refuge and solace is centuries old. During the Renaissance, gardens often served as outdoor museums, filled with music, poetry reading, and of course, classical sculptures. As the taste for garden sculptures grew, it spread throughout Europe, and collecting became a competitive hobby. The trend slowed briefly as the Puritan…

If you find that anticipation is half the fun of gardening, then you are probably enjoying the bulbs you planted last fall. Tulips, daffodils, crocus, and hyacinths are all spring stunners that need the chill of winter soil to make them burst forth when the weather warms. If you got a late start or just want to enjoy your blooms indoors, simulate winter by “forcing” bulbs. Plant your bulbs in containers, then let them rest in a cool spot, such as an unheated basement, for at least three months before bringing them out to bloom. good soil for great bulbs The best potting mix for forcing bulbs is one that retains moisture while promoting drainage. A mixture of potting soil, sphagnum, or peat moss, and perlite or sand is ideal.…