IN gardening circles, we hear a lot about the so-called cottage garden
layout.
The theory is that we want a beautiful, colourful, nostalgic image --
pure magic, in other words.
The reality is different. The mixed border usually means herbaceous
plants, shrubs, roses and annuals, and items like gladioli and dahlias
-- plus vegetables and herbs.
All very fascinating. So long as you do not have an outbreak of couch
grass. Shrubs are on site for years at a time.
Next comes the wild flower area. Red poppies are very striking,
especially with white gowans next to them. By all means, try out a small
area of buttercups.
And if you want to encourage butterflies, one of the best plants would
be perennial nettles. Frankly, I would not suggest you go that far.
On the other hand, sedum, golden rod, Michaelmas daisies or buddleia
can all do the attracting trick very successfully. They are the
civilised face of butterfly plants.
Of course there is the ''climber in the old apple tree'' syndrome.
Never plant a strong climber like celastrus near a young laburnum, as I
did. The weight pulled the tree off the vertical.
Possibly the best tree climber is the rose, Kiftsgate. Other varieties
are suitable also. I hammer galvanised staples into the tree trunk, to
tie on the young shoots.
Vegetables can work in a cottage garden. I found the best were things
like beet for foliage, broad beans, and of course globe artichokes.
If there are a few annual weeds, you murmur: ''Wild flowers and
environmental area.'' The effect can be pure magic.
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