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If you want to create a whimsical and romantic cottage garden, this is your guide to selecting the perfect roses.
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What is a cottage garden?
A cottage garden is a quintessential symbol of charm and romance, characterized by its informal, densely planted aesthetic. This style originated in England and is known for its exuberant mix of colorful flowers, climbing roses, herbs, and vegetables, creating a natural, whimsical look. Cottage gardens are defined by their relaxed, unstructured layout, often featuring meandering paths, trellises, arbors, and garden gates, with flowers spilling over borders, creating an enchanting atmosphere. If you want to create your own cottage garden, roses are a key variety of flowers to include. Keep reading to learn which roses you should plant and how to care for them.
Why are roses the best flower for your cottage garden?
The versatility and enduring charm of roses make them a perfect choice for a cottage garden. Their fragrant blooms, diverse colors, and classic forms add elegance and romance to any landscape. Whether climbing over a trellis or planted as the pillar flower in a bed, roses seamlessly blend with the eclectic mix of other cottage garden plants, creating an enchanting aesthetic.
What to consider when selecting roses
Here are 4 factors to consider when selecting roses for your cottage garden.
Climate
- Choose roses that are well-suited to your climate zone to ensure robust growth and blooming.
- In warmer climates certain varieties of roses may bloom in the winter. I have two in my garden that have bloomed 11 months out of the last 12!
Space
- Consider the mature size of the rose bush to ensure it fits well within your garden space.
- If necessary, plan space for rose support structures like an obelisk or a trellis.
Purpose
- Decide whether you want climbing roses for structures, bush roses for borders, or ground cover roses for larger areas.
Maintenance
- Some rose varieties require more care than others. Select varieties that match your gardening experience and maintenance capacity.
- Old variety roses are usually less fussy. You typically need to purchase these from a specialty nursery. I’m a big fan of Antique Rose Emporium and Heirloom Roses.
Rose care basics
Here are some rose care tips that will keep your cottage garden roses looking beautiful all season.
Sunlight
- Most roses thrive in full sun, requiring at least six hours of direct sunlight daily.
- However, there are select varieties that do well in moderate shade, such as Lyda Rose.
Soil
- Well-drained, fertile soil rich in organic matter is ideal for healthy rose growth.
Watering
- Deep, consistent watering is crucial, especially during dry spells.
- Water at the base to avoid wetting the foliage.
Pruning
- Regular pruning encourages healthy growth and abundant blooms.
- Prune in early spring before new growth begins for best results.
Fertilizing
- Use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer to nourish your roses throughout the growing season.
- This rose fertilizer is my favorite.
Categories of roses
Climbing roses
- Climbing roses are ideal for trellises, arbors, and walls, adding vertical interest and a romantic touch.
Shrub roses
- Shrub roses are versatile and hardy, perfect for borders, hedges, and standalone focal points.
Hybrid tea roses
- These are known for their large, elegant blooms, and are ideal for cutting gardens and formal arrangements.
Floribunda roses
- Floribunda roses are prolific bloomers that provide continuous color throughout the season.
Ground cover roses
- These are low-growing varieties that spread across the ground, perfect for filling large areas.
Best rose varieties for a cottage garden
David Austin roses
David Austin roses are renowned for their old-world charm and exceptional fragrance. These English roses combine the best of old garden roses with modern disease resistance and repeat blooming.
- ‘Gertrude Jekyll’: A stunning pink rose with a strong, classic fragrance, perfect for climbing over a trellis or arbor.
- ‘The Poet’s Wife’: With its bright yellow blooms and rich fragrance, this shrub rose adds a cheerful touch to any garden.
Climbing roses
- ‘New Dawn’: A vigorous climber with soft pink, fragrant blooms, ideal for covering arbors and trellises.
- ‘Eden’: Also known as ‘Pierre de Ronsard,’ this rose features large, romantic blooms in a soft blend of pink and cream.
Shrub roses
- ‘Belinda’s Dream’: A hardy, disease-resistant shrub rose with clusters of soft pink blooms that grows vigorously, perfect for borders and mass plantings. This is also available in a climbing variety.
- ‘Sally Holmes’: Known for its large, single blooms in creamy white, this rose adds an elegant touch to cottage garden designs.
Floribunda roses
- ‘Iceberg’: A prolific bloomer with pure white flowers, adding brightness and elegance to any garden space.
- ‘Julia Child’: With its buttery yellow blooms and sweet fragrance, this rose brings warmth and charm to the garden.
Cottage garden design ideas with roses
- Trellis and Arbor: Use climbing roses like ‘New Dawn’ and ‘Gertrude Jekyll’ to create stunning vertical accents over a trellis or arbor.
- Garden Gate: Frame a rustic garden gate with climbing roses for a welcoming and picturesque entrance.
- Borders and Edges: Plant shrub roses like ‘Bonica’ and ‘Sally Holmes’ along borders and edges to create lush, colorful boundaries.
- Mixed Plantings: Combine roses with cottage garden favorites like lavender, foxgloves, and delphiniums for an eclectic and vibrant display.
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