Rustic cottage garden ideas - top cottage garden plants, thrifting inspiration & making a border

[@SMElder-iy6fl]

I enjoy hearing from ordinary people who really know and love their plants.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Me, too, I think it's great to hear what has specifically worked in real life.

[@linguaphile42]

The vast majority of the world would garden on this scale -- little to no financial investment, incremental changes, growing and propagating our own things. Thank you for featuring this type of garden that is accessible to so many of us.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

That's a pleasure.

[@suetulloch2138]

I loved that garden and of course Kathy the gardener! Lovely to see Kathy getting so much pleasure from her garden without spending a fortune. Lessons for us all there I think. 💚

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Absolutely

[@dorothylaplante7243]

This was lovely and welcome back. You were missed over the summer. 😊

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you for noticing. I just ran out of energy!

[@dorothylaplante7243]

Of course, your vlog is the highlight of my week. I surmised that you were taking time off for the summer or needed a break. Well deserved as your videos are stellar. Keep them coming.

[@wileyabbas6963]

@@TheMiddlesizedGardenp

[@KarinLowrie-vi9cv]

Splendid! It is impressive that the garden is only 2 years old. Gives me some hope. I like her style!!!!

[@flowerpixel]

Thanks for naming the plants!!! There's so much inspiration

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

It's nice to know that people find plant naming useful, thank you.

[@leadoucet1432]

There are never too many plant names mentioned because there's always one or two that I've never heard of, as in this video 😊

[@deano1018]

Charming,absolutely charming. I may begin knocking on doors whenever I spot what appears to be unwanted items 😂

[@cathybranly1839]

That is a lovely garden. Thank you for showing the plan of the garden layout.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@wildbullfrog957]

I love her creativity with all the recycled items. Great inspiration for those of us with limited creative ability.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I totally agree!

[@jeanniemeagher1774]

LOVE your videos, Alexandra! This one in particular was fun for me because Kathy is a real person and not on an estate or mansion... nor is she a professional gardener. We poke around our gardens and have fun, just like she does. Thank you for the time you take to create these for us.

[@rhus36]

I so appreciate someone with a unique style and personality to their design. Plus, it feels right at home in her landscape.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

It really does

[@beckyscheller9358]

Love the garden. Also love the corner of your garden that shows where you are sitting

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

That's called 'The difficult shady corner' although it is no longer difficult and doesn't seem shady!

[@hectorestey2140]

How inspirational - so much beauty without a huge price tag!

[@brendatreaster6411]

I really enjoyed seeing this beautiful garden. Thank you for this very interesting & informative video!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@dawgla1171]

Refreshingly simple to follow video with applicable info. Enjoyed this very much!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Great to hear!

[@SpanishEclectic]

Really great presentation, Alexandra! Gardener's can't be shy when it comes to asking for cuttings, seeds, and 'old junk' that catches your eye. I need to redo the sheet mulching in a large area that went crazy with weeds due to our California rain this year. I spotted a two-foot pile of heavy duty cardboard about the size of a small car beside the driveway of a lady I've met while out on walks. Sure enough, her daughter had just bought a lot of furniture and was bemoaning the need to cut down the cardboard to fit in their bin. Husband and I came by with our truck and took it away. Win-win. We had steady rain for twelve hours and some strong wind, but we were lucky that Hurricane Hilary jogged to the east of San Diego, after down-grading to a tropical storm. Still some flooding, but our coastal waters are too cold to maintain the strength of the storms that hit Mexico and the Gulf Coast. Lots of leaves to rake, but grateful none of our trees came down.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

That does sound like quite severe weather. It's tipping it down here at the moment, but nothing like that!

[@DownButNotOutYet]

Good afternoon Alexander, when I opened the video there was this beautiful pink stargazer lily sight. No wonder they look so spectacular, as Kathy mentioned 15 year old horse manure!! I find the more lilies are fed the better they perform. The white lilies are also spectacular. Kathy's garden is such a treat to wander through. I could get lost there. It was such a pleasure to visit there, thank you for taking us with. Do take care, many blessings. Much love, Elize.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you - the lilies were gorgeous, I agree.

[@bredear]

I love her garden, full of great ideas that are beautifully implemented. Thank you!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@juliekane1156]

Perfect video, Alexandra! Just what I needed to keep me motivated in this heat and humidity. Thank you.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you - it's rather humid here too.

[@feeonaghchambers7403]

What an absolute delight! Absolutely love everything about this garden. Thanks as always Alexandra.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@bewoodford2807]

Wow! Gorgeous garden. So lovely to have the space for all those beautiful beds and a flower meadow. Love the use of recycled materials that C(K)athy has used. Makes the space feel so lived in and cosy. Thank you for sharing this inspiration with us :-) x

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you so much 😊

[@anitaday599]

Absolutely inspirational Alexandra. Thank you for taking us along.

[@maryanna6302]

Lovely garden and such a beautiful example of using repurposed items. Thank you for the new ideas 💚

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@freyartz]

What a wonderful garden. Thanks for sharing it with us!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Our pleasure!

[@leadoucet1432]

This was lovely. Truly enjoyed it and very good tips, indeed.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@wayneenglish2658]

I love a garden like this

[@helenagreenwood2305]

This is my kind of garden I love an eclectic mix - a mishmash of plants colours and bits of furniture 😃 perfect 🏵️🌺

[@MyFocusVaries]

The garden is so beautiful. I love all the stories of how she found the materials. She's so bold.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I agree!

[@PatriciaG99]

I loved this Alexandra! Some great plants in Kathy's garden. Thank you

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@judyingram-kh1vm]

Her flower garden's are absolutely beautiful. I love that she brings stuff in, to put in the garden's. I love it so much. Ans alot of her stuff is from seed, that's what I do sometimes My zinnias have went crazy and I love it.❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Zinnias are so pretty!

[@atfundramccoy8999]

Oh my goodness sakes this garden was heavenly 💓 l live in Memphis Tennessee...many great ideas... hopefully my garden will be happy like her's....😅

[@debs-more-plants]

Another cracking video from you! Love your tours! Thank you for all your hard work! Cheers!

[@appleau8825]

Really love this garden, loose and beautiful ❤. Thank you for sharing.

[@samotanso6422]

Love your video, so inspiring and helping me to learn about 🪴 plants .. 🙏

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@Suninitib]

Lovely and interesting thank you.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you too!

[@kitty4tify]

Truly enchanting and my type of garden.

[@dyanalayng5507]

Lovely cosy and relaxing look to this garden. Thank you 💖💕 Years ago I saw a similar design for a long narrow garden, but the wide bed was down the middle of the space, bordered on either side by wide grass strips and then shrubs. Centre focus was a gazebo, & there were some cross paths. I always thought it a good design to show off & get at a lot of perennials, but the relaxed style of this one is better. Lucky gardener to have access to well rotted manure! 💖💕

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I think the central path works well if you've got a reasonably wide plot, but if the garden is really very narrow, then it probably wouldn't work as well because you wouldn't have enough space on either side. But both are good! Yes, v lucky with the manure, but the horses are hers, so she probably has to rake it up herself!

[@flowerfairy1950]

What a lovely video. Thanks 😊

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@mariemcgrath8681]

Just love the cottage garden style.

[@lucy2beme]

I enjoy your videos and sharing your knowledge with your viewers. Marvelous video.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you very much!

[@lynnjones5850]

I love your garden tours of gardens in places I will never be able to visit (Australia) and the discussion with the professional gardeners. I really love the smaller private garden tours with gardeners who enjoy their own gardens. I learn a lot from each one. And you fabulous in blue!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you so much!

[@dorotaazzopardi8718]

Dreamy ❤ not easy to achieve but absolutely lovely 🥰 thank you!

[@sunitashastry5270]

It’s beautiful - and so rustic! I like the way she lays the bed s so she has acces from all sides.

[@kayhaaland1589]

Love the color combinations of the flowers and use of all the cast off items that others did not want. It all comes together beautifully.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I totally agree!

[@Crocs4cats]

I’m in love with this garden!🤗 The little grass paths remind me of my Nanas old garden, and I spy a Hastings boat so Hello! Neighbour🤓😆

[@francesmclaren7881]

Very enjoyable Thank you Alexandra.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@vika_festu]

How interesting that Kathy called it "dacha"😅 And it definitely has all the features of a real dacha: inexpensive materials, simple layout and dill, sunflowers, hollyhocks. What's missing though is a birch tree, camomile and a table with samovar. Great garden! Thank you!

[@vickyskelton3735]

I love this garden and the energy of the creator. The inspiration has traveled across The Pond and landed in the Piney Woods of America. TY🌿

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Yes, I thought it was inspiring too.

[@maryrobison1984]

So lovely and inviting. Thank you 🌹

[@gardentours]

That's such a beautiful garden 🌸👍

[@maryanna6302]

I'd love to see a video that focuses on how to design and create a garden focal point or small vignette; a beginner gardener can spruce up a small corner or seating area for much less money and effort than a whole border or larger area. I've just been noticing how many of my neighbors have enhanced their front gardens by this method, even though the rest of the area may be just lawn or minimal landscaping. Just an idea 😅 really enjoy your videos and blog!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Funnily enough, I'm working on something like that at the moment. It can take me a while to work out who I want to talk to and what I can do for the visuals, so it may not be immediate (or it might be!) but there should be something coming up fairly soon. And thank you.

[@Ellie-w7i]

Love this so much. Cathy’s garden is an inspiration. Thanks for sharing Alexandra. X

[@christownsend9550]

What a lovely garden, lots of ideas for my patch as well, thank you Kathy and Alexandra

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@paularoberts2129]

Lovely garden I wished we could have seen inside the lovely summer house xx❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

You're so right, that's exactly what I thought when I was editing - 'how did I miss that out?'

[@paularoberts2129]

It looked so lovely and what a beautiful garden xx❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@wildchook745]

Very creative, ...love it.

[@jeremypearson6852]

What a great garden and great use of recycling materials that nobody else wanted.

[@norinenagle6730]

Great topic - although my garden is much smaller, your careful inclusion of plant names has armed me for next year. Thank you.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jwf6289]

So absolutely beautiful and entertaining. Thank you both! Love from Washington state.

[@5262janna]

My kind of gardener! Loved it!

[@MarlenesHomeandGarden]

Thoroughly enjoyed this. Wish I had more space to make one. ❤

[@juliabinford6500]

I like the dried flowers wound in the arbor so much!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I thought it was so interesting, too.

[@leebay6093]

Great video, really enjoyed watching tho, fabulous Cottage garden, my favourite type of garden - some great plant selection

[@jjjackson5183]

Lovely garden!

[@pamelacorsi]

Great inspiration!

[@barbkenas5663]

Very enjoyable, tfs!

[@pambrewer9082]

Wonderful!!

[@beverleyfinn6778]

I think this is one of the best gardens you have featured, just lovely ❤

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@cathierose2009]

Loved this video. Picked up several tips & ideas.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad it was helpful!

[@RosyHardyGardening]

Fantastic video!

[@helencarlesjo]

So good to see you again🥰

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@nicholasmarshall3191]

Wonderful! I am ready to make a cottage garden at my Victorian home in Cheyenne, Wyoming. I am from E Sussex, and remain very attracted to the gardens/landscapes from where I grew up, but struggle to adapt that to my current environment.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

This video may help - it's about adapting cottage garden principles to a hotter, dryer climate.kzbin.info/www/bejne/movSkoOPbZubpLs

[@nicholasmarshall3191]

@@TheMiddlesizedGarden Thank you!

[@annejohnson8774]

Gorgeous garden, some excellent ideas and not too expensive.

[@fhol]

How inspiring! Best regards from Austria - would love to create a cottage garden here myself, but our climate is a bit more rough, especially with spring often being very cold and wet.

[@RoseMary-vs3io]

Fab💚✨👍

[@brendadouglas3763]

Hello, I've been watching your videos for about seven years,first from Ireland then from Tennessee in US.I want you to know how much I have enjoyed them. I have had a lot of stress these last few years and I can watch one of your videos and feel that everything will get better,thank you. I have two questions 1 what happened to your lovely white dog? 2 are you posting fewer videos?Thank you for all you do

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you so much. Our darling Lottie had to be put to sleep early this year for complex and difficult reasons, and we were so sad about it. Quite often KZbinrs explain what's happened in a video, but I just couldn't face talking about her. And, yes, I have done fewer videos this summer, although I hope to resume posting more regularly soon - it's really a question of time, energy and resources as each video takes quite a while to research, shoot and edit. But I love doing them and look forward to getting back to a more regular posting schedule.

[@brendadouglas3763]

I am so sorry for your loss,I know how heart breaking that can be . Do take care of your self.@@TheMiddlesizedGarden

[@murzua5]

Love this garden! What are the dimensions of the boarders of the beds?

[@kevinjamesparr552]

If Alex you fancy a flight over to see my gardens it may prove Edwardian art and craft lives on outside my native England

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I'm sure it would!

[@rparizes]

😍

[@fox39forever]

👍🏻

[@itsallaboutlight]

What is the name of your other channel that has behind the scenes??

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I'm sorry I had to discontinue it, I was getting somewhat overloaded and had to cut down both generally and to remove the extra channel.

[@itsallaboutlight]

@@TheMiddlesizedGarden I'm sorry to hear that it was hard on you. I really enjoy your videos and would not want you to stop all together. But would understand that you have to do what's best for you. I wish you well.

[@Flower_hoarder]

🌼🌸🌾ENJOYED🌺🪻🎋

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

So glad!

[@folee_edge]

A creosote covered pot for a pond?? That's like making bread with risen-laden flour. 🤦

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

There wasn't any of the creosote or whatever was used to preserve the fence posts left!