10 Stunning Small Flower Garden Against House Ideas

Did you know that homes with well-maintained landscaping can increase property value by up to 12%? Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, creating a beautiful flower garden against your house doesn’t require acres of space.

Let me show you some absolutely gorgeous ideas that’ll transform that narrow strip along your foundation into a blooming paradise!

1. Classic Cottage Garden Border

A photo of a classic cottage garden border against a house foundation. The border has a variety of plants, including lavender, roses, and delphiniums, with different heights and textures. There are also foxgloves and hollyhocks. The border is divided into three zones - front, middle, and back. The background has a cottage-style house with a thatched roof. The ground is covered with a layer of gravel.

Let me tell you about my journey creating the perfect cottage garden border along my house foundation. After 15 years of gardening, I’ve learned that this charming, seemingly casual style actually requires some careful planning to get right. But trust me, the results are absolutely worth it!

Choosing the Right Plants

The secret to a stunning cottage border starts with selecting the right mix of plants. I learned this the hard way when I first planted only tall delphiniums right against my house – what a rookie mistake! Now I know that a classic cottage garden needs a variety of heights and textures to create that effortlessly romantic look we’re all after.

My go-to combination includes lavender in the front (about 2 feet tall), roses in the middle (3-4 feet), and delphiniums against the house (up to 6 feet). This creates what designers call a “layered effect,” and it’s absolutely magical when everything’s in bloom!

Creating the Perfect Layout

Here’s something I wish someone had told me earlier: start with a paper plan! Draw your border and divide it into three zones – front, middle, and back. I typically make the border about 3-4 feet deep, which gives enough room for that gorgeous layered look without making maintenance impossible.

For every 6 feet of border length, I recommend:

3-4 lavender plants (front)
2 rose bushes (middle)
3 delphinium clusters (back)
Sprinkle in some cottage garden classics like foxgloves and hollyhocks

Maintaining Year-Round Interest

The real game-changer for my cottage border was learning about succession planting. You don’t want your garden looking fabulous in June and boring the rest of the year! I’ve found that mixing in some spring bulbs like daffodils and tulips gives early color, while autumn sedums and ornamental grasses keep things interesting through fall.

Pro Tips from My Garden Journal

Plant in odd numbers for a more natural look
Use repetition of colors every 6-8 feet
Include at least 30% evergreen plants for winter structure
Add some self-seeding annuals like cosmos for that authentic cottage feel

I can’t tell you how many compliments I get on my cottage border now. It’s become this gorgeous tapestry of colors and textures that changes with every season. The best part? It looks better and better each year as the perennials mature and fill in.

Ready to explore another stunning garden style? Click the next button below to discover how to create a Modern Minimalist Garden Strip – it’s a completely different approach that might surprise you with its elegant simplicity and low maintenance requirements!