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The traditional cottage-style border is overflowing with color, height, and charm.  Creating this bed of blooms might seem intimidating, but it really follows the basic rules of gardening:

1.  Prepare the Soil.  Cottage-style beds tend to have a wide mix of plant types, so you need to create a loose, lumpy six-inch base with plenty of organic matter mixed in.  This will give you the best start with your new bed.

2. Plan the Scope and Form.  The cottage look is characterized by nice deep borders (at least 3 feet wide) laid out in flowing curves or angled patterns.  The varied and exuberant plantings in your cottage beds will soften the edges.

3.  Structural Elements.  Include paths, hedges, walls and other elements that provide structure to your garden.

4.  Select your Plants.  The cottage style calls for plantings in billowing shoals.  No neat rows are necessary.  Be sure to include plants that will blossom in different seasons for year-round color.  As with other beds, place short plants at the front edge of your bed, medium after that, and the tallets plants at the back of the border.

5.  Maintain Your Garden.  Provide plenty of mulch to keep in moisture and prevent weed growth.  Deadhead blossoms to encourage repeated blooming.

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