What's the difference?

Regular contributors will know I've got 'form' for asking daft questions, but wandering around a garden centre yesterday I saw two completely separate displays, one described as 'Cottage Garden Plants', the other as 'Herbaceous Plants' which left me wondering, what (if any) is the difference between the two?

 

"Cottage garden" is a loose design term to describe a certain style of planting (often those that have an almost wild, woodland type appearance - daisies, foxgloves and the like, all mixed in borders in an informal way)

"Herbaceous perennial" is a well-defined botanical term to describe a type of plant (one that dies back to its roots over winter, then puts on new top growth when the weather warms up).

Many herbaceous perennials are often included in cottage garden styles - (lupins, rudbeckias, delphiniums, dianthus, achillea etc etc)

So yes, there is a difference - "cottage garden" is a style of planting, "herbaceous perennial" is a type of plant.

Hope that makes sense!

 

This is a very good explanation, but surely you don't buy a "style of planting" from a garden centre?

I guess it's just "sales talk," those who design the sales promotions don't necessarily have to be gardeners, or in other businesses, skilled in any discipline other than "promoting stuff."

I know, I've done it in my time.

 

I see where you're coming from but then 90% of my garden plants die back over winter, so does that make my lupins, delphiniums, dianthus, dierama igneum, stachys, trifolium etc., cottage garden plants or herbaceous plants?

I think Doghouse has got it spot on - 'sales speak'.

 

I would agree with Andrew that there are (in theory) two different styles. Herbaceous border and Cottage Garden. And the implication is that the plants in those areas would be suitable for the different styles. But in practice most plants are used in both, and anyway how many people these days have a traditional Herbaceous Border or a traditional Cottage Garden - me - I just got a garden. :D

 

If a plant dies back to it's roots and spends winter underground, then it is a herbaceous plant.

Whether a plant is "cottage garden" style or not is purely a matter of opinion. Cottage garden planting styles can include herbaceous plants, bulbs, annuals, deciduous and evergreen shrubs.

 

Another excellent description there. I would count Honeysuckle and climbing/rambling roses to be quintessential 'cottage garden' plants, but not as herbaceous perennials.

 

Me too! I just throw in what I like - to hell with what THEY say 'goes'

 

Absolutely...with lots of Salvias as well:gnthb:

 

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In a single word none!

Just a marketing ploy to part us from our money!

Last week my wife bought plums sold as, "ripen in a bowl"; fancy words, she said that was why she bought them, they were as hard as golf balls, I said when I saw them when she brought them home, they would never ripen, and they have not.

Never mind they will do to through at next doors cat, pest!

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Hope you don't throw them that hard that they go through next doors cat, poor moggy.

 

Shiney and SussesG - many thanks for your kind words. I have benefited enormously from the knowledge and enthusiasm on this forum, as I am sure we all have. :luv:

 

Nope! the blighter comes in for titbits and then we cannot get rid of it!

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