Cottage Garden Plants and Companion Herbs, What Are They?

When we think of romantic country gardens, a garden full of Cottage Garden Plants comes to mind. Many do not realize that many of these plants are also herbs and help each other grow and thrive. Cottage Garden Plants and companion herbs are synonymous.
The different properties of companion herbs turns the garden into an organic garden; one that doesn't require toxic pesticides.
What is a Cottage Garden?

• These were the gardens of the commoners or poor in England and contained everything the family needed for food and medicinal use.
• Informal garden of a rambling nature that is interplanted with flowers, herbs, vegetables, berries, etc.
• All space is used and plants are crowed in together to form a living mulch and conserve moisture and cut down on weeding
• The beds are wide and paths are narrow

What are Cottage Garden Plants? (The flowers are also herbs)

• Flowers: Asters, Baby's Breath, Bachelor's Buttons, Clematis, Cosmos, Dame's Rocket, Delphinium,Cranesbill Geranium, Hydrangea, Hollyhocks, Iris, Lady's Mantle, Lavateria, Marigolds, Nasturtiums, Pansies, Peony, Petunias, Phlox, Poppies, Roses, Sweet William, Violet, Wisteria, Zinnias
• Herbs: Artemisia, Artichokes, Basil, Bee Balm, Calendula, Catnip, Chamomile, Chives, Coral Bells, Cornflowers, Costmary, Daisy, Dandelions, Dianthus, Dill, Echinacea, Evening Primrose, Feverfew, Foxglove, Garlic, Lavender, Lemon Balm, Lovage, Oregano, Onions, Parsley, Peppers, Plantain, Rosemary, Sage, Sedum, Sunflowers,Thyme
• Fruit: Blueberries, Strawberries, Apple Trees, Peach Trees Cherry Trees
• Vegetables: Beans, Beets, Carrots, Eggplant, Loose leaf lettuce, Peas

What is a companion herb or plant?

• Plants which release chemicals and help other plants grow and increase their productivity.
• Plants which help enrich the soil by providing nutrients and organic matter or pulling up nutrients from deep within the soil.
• Plants which provide shade or mulch for shorter plants and protect bare soil.
• Plants which prevent pest problems by repelling unwanted bugs
• Plants and herbs with the ability to attract beneficial insects, repel pest insects, and can even ward off weeds.
• Companion plantings combine more than one crop in a given area, so garden space is used efficiently.

How to create a Cottage Garden?

• Create a bed that is wider than regular beds. No need for a designer. Create the bed to your liking.
• Plant Cottage Garden Plants and Companion Herbs closer together using all available space to help conserve moisture and cut down on weeding.
• Any paths should be narrow.
• Mix annuals in with perennials.
• Use lots of color.
• It should be brimming full of flowers, herbs, and vegetables.
• Add a bird bath and bird feeders.
• Place a bench where you can sit and enjoy its beauty.
• It should be inviting and bring pleasure and memories to everyone that looks at it.

Planting companion herbs takes a little know how, but it really isn't that hard to do if you plan out your garden, and know which herbs to use for what. You'll want to plant these in the spring, at the same time you would plant your vegetables and flowers. Knowing which ones to plant can eliminate the need to use toxic pesticides.
Please visit Cottage Garden Plants for a list of Companion Herbs and the pests they repel.
The main thing is be creative, do some experimenting and most of all have fun in creating your Cottage Garden. Enjoy!

Jaylyn Huson is an herbalist and has grown and used herbs for culinary and medicinal purposes, along with making herbal wines for the last 30 years. Through trial and error she has found what works and what doesn't when it comes to making her herb and cottage gardens thrive. Please visit my website for tips on growing and using herbs, along with a free mini-course on growing and using herbs.
http://www.homeherbgardenanswers.com

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