Six stunning plants for a cottage garden revival
At a time when garden design is embracing a return to romantic, nature-inspired aesthetics, cottage gardens are making a strong comeback.
We anticipate and understand the ever-changing marketplace and are always looking at emerging trends to help our garden centre customers – such as those showcased at the Chelsea Flower Show, which this year featured several cottage garden planting themes.
In 2026, consumers will be looking to infuse their outdoor spaces with charm, colour and timeless appeal and garden centres can meet the demand for cottage garden plants with a range from our new Retailers’ Catalogue.
Here are six exceptional plants to consider for your Plant Area benches next year.
Prunus incisa ‘Kojo-no-mai’
A delicate and elegant deciduous shrub, Kojo-no-mai brings a touch of Japanese serenity to any garden. In early spring, its bare twigs burst into tiny white-pink blossoms, creating a soft and ethereal display. As the seasons progress, its pale green leaves transition into a kaleidoscope of autumn colours. Compact and slow growing, this shrub is perfect for both contemporary and cottage garden settings, offering year-round interest in a neat package.
Papaver ‘Red Rumble’
This perennial poppy is a showstopper. With strong, upright stems and large, intense red flowers, Red Rumble adds drama and vibrancy to any garden bed. Its compact growth habit and disease resistance make it a reliable performer, while its healthy green foliage remains attractive throughout the blooming period. Ideal for cottage gardens and naturalistic landscapes, this poppy is a bold yet classic choice.
Allium ‘Eros’
For a splash of architectural interest and soft colour, Allium Eros is a must-have. Reaching up to 45cm tall, it produces large pink-lilac flower umbels (up to 10cm in diameter) in early summer. These striking blooms are excellent in containers and add a whimsical touch to borders. Their globe-like shape and gentle hues blend beautifully with other cottage garden favourites.
Digitalis purpurea ‘Pam’s Choice’
Foxgloves are quintessential cottage garden plants, and Pam’s Choice is a standout variety. Flowering throughout summer, it features elegant white trumpet-shaped flowers with dramatic red blotches inside. The deep green clumping basal foliage adds lush texture to beds and herbaceous borders. Supplied in the green, this foxglove is a reliable and eye-catching addition to any garden.
Campanula persicifolia ‘Blue Bloomers’
This deciduous perennial brings a burst of violet-blue double flowers throughout summer. With narrow green leaves and a clump-forming, erect habit, Blue Bloomers is perfect for herbaceous areas, rockeries, and containers. While it spreads gently, it maintains a tidy form, making it a versatile and charming choice for cottage-style planting schemes.
Geranium ‘Kelly Anne’
If you’re looking for long-lasting flower power, Kelly Anne delivers in spades. Rivalling the popular Rozanne, this stunning geranium blooms from late spring right through to the first frost. Its large bright pink flowers with white centres light up sunny spots and provide continuous colour and cheer. A true workhorse in the cottage garden, it’s both beautiful and dependable.
Beauty & Performance
Cottage gardens are all about creating a relaxed, romantic atmosphere with layers of colour, texture, and seasonal interest.
These six plants not only reflect one of the latest design trends but also offer enduring beauty and performance. Whether garden centre customers are planting up a new area or refreshing an existing garden, these selections will help them craft a space that feels timeless, welcoming and full of life.