Want an English Garden? These Plants Will Give You That Look
I love the look of an English garden. It's wild, but still soft, and compliments almost any style of house without looking too bold or overdone. But if you've ever tried to create that look in your own yard, you know it can feel a bit overwhelming. With so many plants to choose from, it’s hard to know where to start. Looking at reference photos is one thing, but do you actually know what plants are in those pictures? Never fear! I’ve done the work for you by creating this list of eight plants that belong in any English garden. Here’s how to bring that magic to your garden beds, plant by plant.
Start with Delphiniums
If there’s one plant that gives the vibes of a castle garden, it’s delphiniums. They shoot up like floral skyscrapers, usually in dreamy shades of blue, purple, pink, and even white. They’re tall, proud, and a little bit fussy, so they’ll need staking and protection from strong winds. But they’re worth all the work. Planted in the middle or back of a flower bed, they create that towering, vintage garden feel. They’re not subtle, so plant delphiniums as the center of attention in a garden bed. You only need a few to make a big impact.
Add Lavender for Structure and Scent
Lavender is one of the few structured plants that still feels romantic, meaning it goes really well with the rest of the plants on this list. Its silvery green leaves and soft purple blooms help tie everything together. Plus, it smells incredible and draws bees like crazy. Tuck it along paths or use it to line a garden bed for the best results. English gardens aren’t just about looks, they’re about the feeling you get when you walk through them. Lavender gives you all of that. Just make sure you plant it somewhere that has good drainage and full sun.
Mix In Foxgloves
Foxgloves are especially good for creating that layered, lived-in look that English gardens are known for. With tall spires covered in bell-shaped flowers, they have a soft, fairy-tale vibe. They’re biennials, which means you usually plant them one year and they bloom the next, but after that, they can reseed themselves and pop up wherever they like. That’s part of the magic. Let them spread where they want to keep your garden from looking too polished. Remember, a true English garden should look a little messy, but not neglected.
Climbing Roses Are Classic
You knew this one was coming, as it wouldn’t be an English garden without some kind of rose. If you have a fence, trellis, or even a mailbox, a climbing rose can transform it to match the rest of your landscaping. Roses take patience, especially in the first couple of years, but once they get going, they’re unstoppable. Look for old-fashioned varieties with soft petals and strong scent, like ‘Eden’ or ‘New Dawn’ roses. Again, don’t be afraid to let them get a little wild. That’s part of the charm. A rose that leans or spills over other plants is doing its job.
Don't Forget Lady’s Mantle
It doesn’t get a lot of attention, but lady’s mantle might be just the thing that pulls everything together and makes your garden feel English. It’s low and bushy, with scalloped green leaves that catch the morning dew in a super pretty way. In early summer, it blooms with tiny chartreuse flowers that look like soft fireworks. Lady’s mantle tucks around other plants beautifully and is perfect for filling in awkward gaps without pulling attention from taller, flashier plants. If your garden feels like it's missing something or the vibe is off, try lady’s mantle.
Geraniums (But Not Those Geraniums)
We're not talking about the bright red pots on grandma’s porch. What you want to go for are hardy geraniums, often called cranesbills. They’re mounding perennials that bloom for weeks and then stick around with lovely foliage. They work great at the front of a bed, softening any hard edges and tying different colors together. ‘Rozanne’ is my favorite because it blooms almost nonstop, but any variety can give you that rolling, layered feel that makes English gardens so comfy to spend time in.
Get A Head Start With Alliums
You might not think of big purple lollipops when you imagine an English garden, but alliums are a smart way to change up the texture. Their round, architectural shape adds contrast to all the fluff and frill throughout the rest of the garden. They bloom in late spring or early summer, just when the garden is starting to wake up, bringing some early color to kick off summer. Plus, they’re great for pollinators and are surprisingly easy to grow. Just plant the bulbs in fall and wait. You’ll be glad you did.
Can’t Go Wrong With Peonies
Peonies might not bloom for long, but when they do, they steal the whole show. They’re big, romantic, and gorgeously lush. Plant them in a spot where you’ll see them often, because they’re worth admiring up close. They take a few years to get settled in, but once they do, they’ll outlive the rest of the plants in your garden. English gardens are all about giving plants time to grow into themselves, and peonies are a perfect example. They're a little old-fashioned, but isn’t that exactly what we want?
Let It All Be a Little Messy
Here’s the real secret to an English garden: don’t try to control it too much. These plants want to lean, spread, reseed, and get a bit wild. Care for them like you would any other garden, but give them space, and patience. Step back and let the garden show you what it wants to become. The beauty of an English garden is found in the way it walks a delicate balance between being soft and pretty, while still staying wild. Keep this in mind and you’ll have the English garden of your dreams in no time.