Get It Growing for 11/21/25

If you follow trends, you’ve probably noticed photos of cottage gardens floating around the internet in recent years. Characterized by abundant, mixed plantings that burst with color and texture, this style of garden has an informal, romantic air that feels like something out of a fairytale.

Cottage gardens have been around for a long time, originating in the English countryside in the 15th century. People took small plots of land and turned them into multipurpose gardens densely planted with vegetables, fruits, herbs and, yes, even a few flowers — although they typically were grown for culinary and medicinal uses back then. Some of these gardens even doubled as space for keeping livestock and beehives.

By the 19th century, cottage gardens began to shift from practical to ornamental. Their carefree charm became popular among the middle and upper classes and inspired countless works of art. It was during these times that the modern vision of cottage gardens took form.

Their resurgence is no surprise: Cottage gardens’ natural, whimsical vibe lends itself to minimal maintenance and the use of pollinator-friendly and native plants — things that resonate with many gardeners today. Cottage gardens are budget conscious and perfect for small areas, and there is plenty of room for creativity and self-expression.

Want to create a cottage garden of your own? November is a great opportunity to set the stage for a powerful springtime bloom.

Start with seeds

Cottage gardens thrive on mass plantings of flowers, which are easy to achieve by sowing seeds directly into the ground. Direct seeding is a cost-effective practice for this kind of garden, as seeds generally are less expensive than transplants.

Plus, it can be fun to watch tiny seeds sprout and grow into awe-inspiring flowers.

Try these flowers in Louisiana

Now is a great time to sow cool-season annuals, spring-blooming plants and some perennials into the garden in Louisiana. Many of these species are fantastic for cottage gardens.

Some annuals you can plant now include poppies, larkspur, delphinium, calendula and spurred snapdragon. These sometimes self-seed. For perennials that will return year after year, try purple coneflower, rudbeckia and coreopsis.

This is just a starting point. As time goes on, layer in plants that bloom at different times to keep the garden colorful and lively all year long.

You can mix in other plants (including transplants) to add variety. As a throwback to the original cottage garden concept from medieval times, you may want to include some edible plants.

Tips for creating a lush, layered effect

One of cottage gardens’ most defining features is their effortless blending of a diverse assortment of plants.

Sow seeds of plants that grow tallest toward the back and center of the garden. Add in some medium-height fillers and place low-growing plants toward the front and edges. Read your seed packets for information on how high each plant grows.

Include a variety of colors and textures. You can pair airy, delicate plants with bolder foliage and flowers.

The structure of a cottage garden matters, too. When planting your seeds, work in drifts, not rows. Sow seeds in clusters and sweeping curves to create a natural look. Overlap different types of seeds to soften the transitions between colors and textures.

Finally, be sure to add some vertical interest. Use trellises or other objects for climbing plants to draw the eye upward and give depth to the garden. Grasses can provide vertical, swaying elements as well as shelter for pollinators.

Packets of seeds for sale at a garden center. Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter

Poppies are a staple of cottage gardens. Seeds can be sown now in Louisiana. LSU AgCenter file photo

Larkspur is a reliable reseeder. LSU AgCenter file photo