At this time of year, many gardeners are looking for ways to diversify their green spaces. Should it be filled with overflowing pots of color, creatively formal, or naturalistic? A contemporary cottage-style garden might be in the cards. If you need a good resource on what to consider, Pamela Hubbard has combined all of these things in one book. The Contemporary Cottage Garden: Climate-Friendly, Mindful Methods for Growing Flowers and Food. This book offers practical knowledge useful to gardeners of all levels. It serves as a blueprint when contemplating a contemporary cottage garden.
Our irregular climate has many gardeners in a state of ” What do I plant? Is it drought-tolerant? Will it thrive in full sun, or have the growing requirements changed? This author provides a blueprint with clear instructions on mindfully growing.
Pamela realizes many gardeners might like a cottage garden, just a tad more refined. Many homeowners follow a standard landscape plan to comply with Homeowners’ Associations or public perception. A contemporary cottage garden is not just a colorful garden filled with whimsy. This style of cottage garden addresses weather extremes, experiments with food to nourish our bodies, and provides a place of respite to calm our minds. The contemporary cottage garden is an updated, smart garden with a unique personality.
As a cottage gardener, my garden must give back to nature. The garden provides the gardener with joy from bud to bloom. The garden is also a great place to clear the mind and reduce stress. Chapter 6 is entitled Ease Stress. This chapter offers ideas on what to include when planning the contemporary cottage garden. For this style of garden, include a healing garden room, sensory area, and a cutting garden. Imagine a garden that invites you to touch a textured leaf, or taste a small fruit.
The scent of a flower or plant often reminds us of a loved one or a familiar place. The contemporary cottage garden can include familiar plants that invite us to visit the garden when we least expect it. Sometimes a familiar bloom or scent draws us into the garden for a much-needed break.
This is the perfect time of the year to read a book like this. Becoming more mindful of weather extremes matters, as we notice how the garden reacts to them. Adding diversity to the garden is a much-needed practice as we explore plants to consider that will thrive in our new normal. The Contemporary Cottage Garden is the blueprint for the present and the future.
As we consider planting gardens that hold up in the heat, Pamela shares tips on Fire-wise gardens. Did you know there are specific design tips for fire-prone areas? The author provides examples of plants known to survive fire-prone areas.
Leaving a legacy by teaching others and encouraging the next generation to engage with this earth is important. In Chapter 7, Pamela offers suggestions on leaving a horticultural legacy. Seed saving, sowing seeds together, or planting a seedling invites us to connect with our gardens. This act also encourages us to share parts of our garden with others. The author even includes instructions on starting a children’s cottage garden. One way to keep children engaged with gardening year-round is to provide activities. A few suggested activities can be as simple as exploring woodlands and parks. Many community resources offer programs to connect young people to the environment. This creates conscientious environmental awareness. Encouraging children to be responsible conservationists sets a positive example for the next generation. Pamela believes gardening with children is genuinely magical, and I humbly agree.
The photography in this book is amazing. The photographer is Rob Cardillo, and his work never disappoints. Rob captures the finer details of the many plants included in this book. If you are looking for an inspiring book on contemporary cottage gardening, this is a great book. It is easy to read, offers simple instructions, and encourages the reader to plan a contemporary cottage garden.