We've mentioned native gardens quite a bit in recent columns here on the Evergreen Growers blog but this week we'd like to take a look at cottage gardens in an Australian context.

Cottage gardens have been popular in Australia since colonial days with settlers looking to plant their gardens in a reflection of the style they were used to in England.

The cottage garden has little in the way of rules ” perhaps that's part of its charm ” although the style is usually typified by a riot of glorious plants and flowers in soft shades and colours and with a variety of leaf textures. However many of these beautiful flowers and plants are grown in regions of Europe where water is hardly thought of as a scarce commodity.

However with a growing population and corresponding pressure on resources, Australian gardeners know they need to watch the amount of water used on their plants and flowers. Therefore keeping a cottage garden in most climate zones of Australia can be a challenge.

Ever adaptable, Aussies are turning to tried and true native plants as a practical and low maintenance ” alternative to the often water-guzzling traditional cottage plants.

Witness this , a gardener who has combined the beauty and durability of native plants with a cottage garden's typical anarchic style. Thomson describes the garden as an Australian Cottage Garden with plants squeezed in next to one and other creating a striking juxtaposition of foliage, flower and form.

Does a traditional cottage garden with European-style plants interest you? Or are you thinking of planning a cottage garden including Australian natives?

Either way Evergreen Growers can assist you with a wonderful range of tube stock plants for your needs.