painting by Peder Mørk Mønsted, Danish realist painter, image courtesy Wikimedia Commons
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Tuesday, 27 January 2026
A small cottage surrounded by gardens, many planted just with vegetables and herbs but others just for the pleasure of their flowers. Cottage gardens were, once upon a time, the modest space around modest houses where lived the villagers, the workers on large estates. They would grow some vegetables and herbs, might keep a few chickens. And also grow some flowers, for beauty.
painting by Peder Mørk Mønsted, Danish realist painter, image courtesy Wikimedia Commons
That was then. Here we are now. Today cottage gardens might have a different focus, as presented in
.
The Contemporary Cottage Garden,
Climate-Friendly, Mindful Methods for Growing Flowers and Food
by Pamela Hubbard, with photography by Rob Cardillo
cover photo by Rob Cardillo, provided courtesy Timber Press
At first I thought, from the title, that this book would be the story of someone's personal garden. Not so. It is much more than that.
Pamela Hubbard's book begins with a discussion of cottage gardens, exploring what were the historical elements: the English paradigm, the design elements, and considerations for creating your personal cottage garden.
Our knowledge of the world around us and the impacts of the Anthropocene are discussed in the next chapter which explores contemporary challenges and how gardeners might adjust. Pollution of soil, water, more. Weather extremes. Food supply shortages and high prices: as I recall, recently it was bird flu and the cost of eggs. Stressful living and the changing workplace. I recall the Japanese concept of forest bathing, peacefully walking in the woods to calm one's spirit. And, consider what might come in the future.
What might the home gardener do to improve their gardening practices in their contemporary cottage garden.
image by Rob Cardillo, all rights reserved. Provided courtesy Timber Press
For example. Plant charming flowers such as echinacea and liatris to welcome pollinators.
Intermingled with flowers, vegetables and herbs are classic additions to the cottage garden.
Welcome children, so that they will find a path forward into the contemporary cottage garden.
Visit gardens to explore their ideas which you might incorporate at home.
copyright Judy Glattstein all rights reserved
Cloister gardens were places where medicinals, dye plants, hops for brewing,
and other useful plants were tended. And a peaceful place for contemplation
to calm your mind and relax the stress in today's complex and changing world.
Many interesting concepts, fascinating ideas to explore and incorporate in your own garden.
The Contemporary Cottage Garden,
Climate-Friendly, Mindful Methods for Growing Flowers and Food
by Pamela Hubbard, with photography by Rob Cardillo
published by Timber Press ISBN 978-1-64326-375-5
soft cover $27.99 release February 2026
If you have any comments or questions, you can e-mail me: jgglatt@gmail.com
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