3 hours Ago By Adam Toms
A expert has shared their “must have” flowers to create a beautiful cottage garden . Cara Thompson of makeitflourish on TikTok posted a helpful video showing which blooms she has chosen in order to create a wonderful, colourful space. Firstly, she suggests foxgloves, which are an important source of pollen for bees.
One person said in the video’s comments: "I love foxgloves. Unfortunately they are not suitable for my garden as they are toxic and I have pets." Delphiniums are next on the list.
Gardeners' World says these are best planted in "moist but well-drained soil" in full sun. Delphiniums are "best at the back of a sunny border", experts add, and it is best to avoid windy spots. Cara also says you should choose Echinacea, which are also enjoyed by bees, as well as butterflies.
Purple Loosestrife is also recommended. The RHS says this plant is a "robust herbaceous perennial with upright stems to 1.2m tall, clad in narrow, willowy leaves, and small vivid purplish-pink flowers".
In addition, Cara has planted Cornflowers. Experts say these like to grow in well-drained soil in full sun. It is best to sew them from March to May, and they will usually flower from June to September.
Poppies are included in the list, too. However, a viewer commented: "I love poppies but the ones in my garden are gone so quickly." Cara replied: “Same.
Never had much luck with them ...
yet!” Lupins can also be planted, with Gardening Express describing it as a "stunning, versatile and hardy perennial plant known for their bold spikes of colourful flowers". Larkspur is described by Gardeners’ World as "a cottage garden plant, adding height and colour to border displays". Experts add its flowers work well with roses and peonies.
Crocus says Knautia, which is next on Cara’s recommendations, "thrives in full sun with well-drained soil that has been prepared with well-rotted compost". Next are Cosmos - which Sarah Raven says are "perfect for every garden, producing buckets of flowers from only a small patch" - and Sweetpeas. These are fragrant climbing plants native to Sicily, southern Italy, and the Aegean Islands.
They are known for their diverse colors and delicate, sweet scent..
