Seaside Garden for New England Antique

This rustic cottage, located only several blocks from the Atlantic Ocean, is situated on a compact lot and is very close to the road.  Previous owners had allowed the vegetation in front of the cottage to take over the modest entrance garden, giving the cottage a neglected look and feel in a misguided effort to create a sense of privacy.

The new owner desired a tidier and more welcoming entry garden area that would be in keeping with the historic setting.  As the cottage is only a part-time residence, achieving a low maintenance garden that could withstand the harsh wind, sun, and salt conditions was imperative.

The unruly hedge, consisting of a tangle of various invasive shrubs, was removed and replaced with a low traditional cedar picket fence to create a more subtle separation between private and public spaces.  High maintenance grass was removed and replaced with low maintenance ornamental plantings and attractive stone groundcover.  Through careful excavation, an old brick walkway and lovely granite boulders were uncovered that were then incorporated into the final design.

The result is a charming cottage garden entryway that is able to survive weeks on end without any tending or supplemental watering.  This historically inspired cottage garden looks great throughout the seasons due to the interplay of stone, shrubbery, spring bulbs, and exuberant perennials.