Cottage Gardens

by Toby Musgrave

There’s no garden more evocative than a cottage garden, and no experts more knowledgeable about how to devise the perfect design than leading horticulture authority Toby Musgrave and the editors at Country Living. Musgrave reveals, with the help of outstanding images by award-winning photographer Jerry Harpur, that cottage gardening actually encompasses a wide range of approaches. Almost any gardener will find the answer to his or her dreams, whether it’s a sweetly scented romantic garden, complete with a gentle fountain and secluded bower, or one that’s formal with tightly clipped yews and precise plantings. Eight designs focus on particular themes and climates, and all include a detailed plan and plant list, making it easy to re-create or adapt Toby Musgrave’s beautiful arrangements.

Genres: Gardening

160 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Carolyn Page · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredibly interesting book that takes what I once saw as a disorganized mass of plants and breaks it down into the fundamentals of what are known as cottage gardens. Well illustrated with both color photographs and immaculate pencil drawings of garden plans, one can see where a "cottage" garden can in fact include different styles to suit nearly every purpose and personal taste. From modern to pottager to painterly, this would be well recommended to use as a reference whenever planning new landscaping for gardening aficionados.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most beautiful books on gardening, in the "cottage" style, that I have ever read. Photos are gorgeous with tons of information. This book is a absolute keeper and I recommend it very highly. Mr. Musgrave really knows his plants and it shows. I enjoyed how the book was perfectly laid out with chapters on designing by theme and designing by use. He has a wonderful chapter on plants for the cottage gardens with plans and designs. He has divided up the uses of the garden such as: aromatic, wildlife, herbal, harvest, cut flower, all year round, easy care and dry. For the themes: traditional, tapestry, potager, romantic, rural, formal, painterly and modern. I am certainly going to search out his other gardening books and read them. Five stars.

[Melody Schwarting · Rating 4 out of 5]

While Musgrave covers much more than cottage gardens, there is a lot of helpful information here. Plans and photographs galore help draw the reader into many different garden styles. For the dreaming gardener like myself, this is useful for planning one's own garden, if only in one's mind.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought cottage gardens were one size fits all which is sort of true but I learned how many different types there are and was fascinated by the early American history

[Linda (NOT RECEIVING NOTIFICATIONS) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is how your review will appear:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Plethora of Ideas, September 1, 2012
By L. B. Taylor (Florida) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This review is from: Country Living Cottage Gardens (Paperback)
COTTAGE GARDENS starts outs with an explanation of this flower theme. Old roses, gates, and fountains are only a small part of this landscaping topic. Originally cottage gardens included edible plants among lush perennials and a boxwood hedge. But Mr. Musgrave reminds us that the balance now is your choice. Though many of the beautiful pictures reminds us of the United Kingdom or France each of us will recognize plants that should do well in the area that we live.

Should we use brick, stone or mulch for the paths? Should the theme be traditional, a tapestry, a kitchen garden or have more romantic elements? Will seating be available for those who want to take a rest in this special place? What is the importance of color? How will we include water, a must that Mr. Musgrave finds necessary.

Journey through the pages during the wintertime when you have scads of nursery catalogs available to you. Peruse through the ideas when it is raining and you can't work outside. Study each picture to look for elements you may not have noticed before. Perhaps it will be a clay pot or maybe a concrete architectural form.

Pay close attention to the information regarding harvesting. Read up on when and how to properly cut flowers. Low maintenance will be necessary all-year-round. If nothing else this book will pique your imagination. It is a necessity for garden inspiration.

[Annie Oosterwyk · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yes, it's April. Looking for some good garden combinations. I'm liking the lush planting/pea gravel look.

[Lorraine Hollingsworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of inspiration for a wanna-be English gardener in New Mexico

[Michael Heath-Caldwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book on landscape garden design.