How do I create a cottage garden?

I just bought a house and have a HUGE backyard... it is a doublelot... I want to create a low maintance garden that will look a little cottage, french garden... There are 2 big trees in the back and other than that is a blank canvas. I live in Florida so plants need to be able to handle the heat and the plants under the trees won't get much sun... help! Any websites or pictures you recommend?

How do I create a cottage garden?
I am in Florida also. And I work for a National seed company.



Gardens are a tremendous amount of labor. I will recommend a couple of things. Start small. Gardening in Florida is a challenge. Our weeds never die and our plants sprawl a lot.



Design your lay out, and unless you LOVE working outside in our heat, or will have a lawn and garden service. I have a lawn service for our 1 1/2 acres, but it doesn't to landscraping. I wouldn't recommend starting too big. Ease into it.



If you are in mid Florida you are in zone 9 or 10 (9 north of Tampa and 11 south of Tampa) so plant wisely. I have found on a big lot it is easier to have a more rustic garden, then when the rains are here in June, July and August, it won't be so bad if they do not get a lot of attention.

Because they will be growing like crazy.



Check the library for some good gardening books. Or see if your area has a Garden club. Members will be very helpful.



Zeroscaping is the low maintenace term you should be looking for, they take less water and less maintenance.



KMart has some Burpee Design garden Packages to look at.



I have tons of Lantana, low care (prune to the ground twice a year, full sun. African iris, mine are in shade and have bloomed best in the cool weather. I also have ixora, crepe myrtle, Kings Mantle, Star Jasmine, Jasmine ground cover, Ligustrum trees and Viburnum .



Good Luck there are so many choices.
Reply:Can't help I live in Scotland sorry.
Reply:dig the garden beds where you want it, make sure you add goodies to enrich the soil, since you live in Florida your climates are like mine in Port Macquarie NSW Australia. get rid of the black canvas, get packets of seeds, all sorts, daisies, cornflower etc and scatter the seeds, then throw over some herb seeds, i.e. basil, that will be nice smelling when you water them or walk through, cover with a light coat of soil and small mulch, water over.



don;t be too adventurous at first, try above and see what will grow, then once the first set of seeds are through and about 3 inches, repeat the procedure adding different types of flowers, you will soon get the effect of a cottage garden. Plants like balsam are great for shady areas, hydraingers etc, but you will have to get a good gardening book to refer to because I am sure that the names will be changed for America on a lot of them.



happy planting