The Modern Cottage Garden

The Modern Cottage Garden: A Fresh Approach to a Classic Style by Greg Loades is a colorful and informative guide to help eager gardeners each season of the year! The list of plant combinations for home gardens is extensive. I especially enjoyed the section for container planting. The choices for small areas and larger lawn and yards are interesting and dramatic. The new perennial garden has straight lines and will flow with movement during light winds. Thank you so much for the section for the fifty essential plants. This takes the guesswork out of my shopping as I visit my garden center this spring!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this beautifully illustrated book.
Publication Date: July 7, 2020

Beautiful photos. A great exploration of the history of the cottage garden style and an even greater guide to making a more modern version. Good coffee table book and also as a guide book. There’s even a section on downsizing it to a smaller scale for those who want the look but don’t have the space to have a classic cottage garden.

Modern Cottage Garden is well organized resource for gardeners who are curious about fusing new with old. Guidance is provided for adding modern plants, potted plants, herbs into the traditional, I think of as, wispy cottage plantings. The seasonal to-do list and the 50 important plants guide are useful references at the gardener’s fingertips.

Don’t we all daydream about big dreamy witchy cottage gardens, but who has the time to tend to large swaths of borders? In ‘The Modern CottageGarden’ Greg Loades shows us how to get the look even for small spacers. This is a gorgeous photographic account of English garden design that can be utilised in the Southern Hemisphere too. Please be aware that some of the’ essential’ plants listed are invasive weeds outside of the Uk, so check your own zone first.

*Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the RC

Inspirational dive into the crossroads of the classic cottage garden and the modern perennial garden. Loades clearly has lots of knowledge, which he presents passionately in this book. I loved the photographs, and I especially loved the section at the back outlining some plant candidates (I wanted MORE of that).

The cottage garden was popularized in the late 1800s by William Robinson and Gertrude Jekyll. Characterized by dense plantings of perennials and annuals in herbaceous borders, it provided maximum color and dramatic plant combinations. The “modern” version of the cottage garden maintains the same principles with some minor changes. Instead of rigid straight lines like the ones used in borders, the modern style advocates flowing lines. Pockets of color from perennials are punctuated by ornamental grasses popularized by Piet Oudolf. Particular attention is given to the use of containers, gardening in small spaces and ideals for plant combinations. Each season is highlighted with a summary of the best plants of the season and tips for caring for them. An A-Z listing of fifty essential plants showcases popular varieties. This is an attractively designed book with sections sprinkled throughout that showcase particular gardens in the UK. Although focused on the UK, the principles discusses can easily be applied here in the U.S. as well.

When I first picked up this book, I did not think I would like this book. I have a large garden in the cottage garden tradition, but as I read through this book and devoured the photographs, including virtual visits to exsisting garden in this book, I found a nice flow, with ease of gardening in these spaces that fit into this modern world without the loss of the old world style.
The book starts with the history of the cottage garden, evolves into a modern interpretation with grasses and seed heads and low maintenance plants to achieve a beautiful cohesive design. Even with a small garden, the use of potted plants come into their own. The garden wanders through the seasons and introduces plants to suit.
A great book.

A charming book with beautiful pictures and plenty of information about creating cottage gardens with modern sensibilities. It includes plenty of information on plants for a year-round garden and lots of information on container gardens.

Because the author gardens in England, the emphasis is on plants that will grow in temperate climates with year-round rain. This makes the book far less useful for those gardening in dry or mediterranean climates.

I enjoyed the seasonal photos and the check list of things to do in each season. Everything is low maintenance gardening.

Absolute treasure trove of information. I've always loved cottage gardens and this book brings together so much information on the history, the plants needed and how to best make and maintain your very own cottage garden.

The pictures are gorgeous too, so whether you want to give this as a present to a lover of coffee table books or use it as a manual to do some gardening, I don't think you'll ever get bored of leafing through this wonderful book.

The Modern Cottage Garden is an ideal read for a rainy afternoon and a cup of tea, or a warm summer day in the dappled shade with a tall lemonade. Non-traditional plant pairings, specimen plants, and four season highlights, encourage the reader to think beyond the typical cottage garden by updating it with a “fusion” flair.

Many gardening books share massive gardens for expert gardeners forgetting that many readers do not have the space or expertise to create such spaces. I love to visit large gardens, but often I am too overwhelmed to bring home and replicate any facets of them. Greg Loades brings fresh ideas to those of us who have small spaces - including patio gardens using containers. A container cottage garden, now that is a fresh idea! The photographs are excellent and further inspire the reader.

The seasonal section with “to-do” lists is helpful, as is the list of 50 essential plants. In this time of travel restrictions, the luscious photographs of UK gardens are doubly appreciated. I didn’t love the images of massive gardens and estate landscapes, and where plants are discussed in the text without a photo, I began to skim. There was plenty in this book to compensate for those two shortcomings.

Lovely.

Thank you to Timber Press and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

Beautiful photographs give full expression to the beauty of the cottage garden. My favorite type of garden and I just loved looking at all the beautiful plantings and taking ideas.

A book to use as a reference or as a coffee table display.  It is filled with lovely photos of cottage style gardens of all types.  Also included is a guide to planning and planting gardens - even those in small spaces or containers.  In addition, you get a list of essential plants to consider including in your cottage garden design.

This was an enjoyable book for the beginning cottage gardener. I loved how everything was broken down seasonally and included winter as a celebration. Many books do not do this. Instead it's just a time to prepare for spring. Otherwise, it's a pretty book, but not one I would absolutely need to add to my collection.

Lovely book that is a must for gardeners and arm-chair gardeners alike. Beautifully photographed with gardening details and ideas. This title will make one rush to the gardening store to begin their own modern cottage garden.

The Modern Cottage Garden is a primer and tutorial guide to the exuberant classic garden style. Due out 15th Sept 2020 from Workman Publishing on their Timber Press imprint, it's 228 pages and will be available in hardcover format.

I found this an inspirational book but also a practical one with advice on planning, siting, building, and developing a cottage garden whatever the conditions or the reader's situation.The traditional cottage garden with roses and flowering perennials elbowing one another in lush abandon is the main focus, but the author has done a good job of presenting inspiration for smaller spaces (even container gardens) which give the feeling of a more traditional cottage garden style in a much more limited scale.

The book also contains a cottage gardener's almanac, divided by seasons which enumerate the tasks to do and things to expect during the year. A final section contains a primer of 50 essential plants with botanical name, habit, spread, description, and season(s) of interest given along with photographs. The standard classics are included of course: saxifrage, sedum, rudbeckia, and several classic roses, but the author has also included plants which I hadn't really considered. The included grasses are particularly well represented in this collection.

The photography throughout is superlative - clear and easy to understand. The book also includes an abbreviated resource list with links, and a cross referenced index.

Five stars. This is a solid gardening book dedicated to a classic style which is well written, beautifully photographed, and surprisingly comprehensive.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

As the book states, a gardener's garden is never finished. I have always liked the look of an English Cottage garden, and this book does a wonderful job of describing how to create one. Good details on borders and boundaries, and how to use containers as well. Would highly recommend this book.

This is such a beautiful, informative, and down to earth approach to the cottage garden. I am so happy to have read this book-thank you so much to the publisher. The hard back would be even better as, even on the net galley app on my iPhone, the photos felt so alive. I am planning on becoming a flower farmer next year so have been going down the rabbit hole of garden design. This was a delight and a great resource. I give all my praises to the author and photographer. Well done!

Thank you to Netgalley and Timber Press for the galley.

I knew I'd like this book after reading the introduction where the author states "This...style is for gardeners who can't resist plants." I've never planned my garden, not having the artistic ability to do so. I've simply bought what I liked, then figured out where to put it when I got home. This book is a delightful mix of sample cottage-type gardens, seasonal selections, brief technique tutorials, and a catalog of "50 Essential Plants." It's written in a very readable narrative without a lot of design lingo. It would be an excellent guide for the "impulse" plant buyer!

Thank you to the author, Timber Press and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

As to be expected, this book provides gorgeous photos of cottage gardens - but also a history of the cottage garden style and a fantastic guide to making a more modern version. For most of us, who don't have space for the classic cottage garden, there's a section on downsizing to fit smaller spaces.

As someone who loves to garden, but doesn't always know what they're doing, I found the guidance for integrating modern plants and herbs into a more classic cottage garden concept, plus the seasonal to-do list and the 50 important plants guide enormously useful references.

I always dreamed about a cottage garden and this lovely book supplied me all the information I needed to create one and always advice on how to manage plants in a container.
A lot of information about plants and the lovely picture.
I loved it and it's highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

Thank you for the opportunity to review a copy of The Modern Cottage Garden: A Fresh Approach to a Classic Style by Greg Loades (2020) in exchange for an honest review.

I requested this book for review because I have an interest in gardens, but I also love cottages, especially the English versions. This is a gorgeously designed book. As the content description tells, this guide illustrates a "new style of planting: a fusion between classic cottage style and the new perennial movement" and supplements this modern cottage approach with real garden examples. These gardens include big, colorful blooms, striking grasses, native plants into beautiful spaces. This book claims this is a good approach for containers, small gardens, diverse climates.

Ultimately, my thoughts and takeaways are as followed. This book is not really for a beginner gardener like myself, and that's fine! These designs are something I'd aspire to someday include. They can serve as tips and inspirations. It showcases different approaches to a classical style. I found the included guides to be very helpful and informative. I can combine this reading with some of the beginner's guides and someday hopefully make a great garden like those depicted in this book! I'd suggest it for those who are keen gardeners / landscape enthusiasts.

This is a quick and easy read for anyone looking to spruce up their garden or plant a new one. Beautiful pictures and great ideas that are practical and effective. The color-coordinated garden beds with wide sweeping views show off perennial and annual blooms at their best. Great examples of well established British gardens that inspire and motivate.

This was a charming book both in writing and photography. The Britishisms might put off some readers, but not many. The author demonstrates not only the means but the appeals of combining traditional British garden styles with some modern plants and sensibilities. As an amateur gardener I found this a worthy book even in tight-budget times, and had a request from a patron for it. I expect this book to find its way into the hands of many of our urban and suburban gardeners.

I am so glad I saw this book on NetGalley and asked to review it! I have not read the entire book yet, but its not the kind of book you will likely read from beginning to end - it's a book to keep and refer to throughout the gardening year. While it showcases many gardens, it also gives a lot of practical advice and information for those who love to garden. I found a lot of helpful advice for some of the problems I have found in my perennial garden. It has great ideas for the pairing of plants. Beautiful photography!


My thanks to NetGalley and Timber Press for the opportunity to read and review this book.

If you’re a gardener, you’ll love this book. Beautiful photos with how-tos of planning and planting. I enjoyed this book as if I were walking through a wonderful garden. This has inspired me. To continue on working on my gardens.