Escape to the country: Cottage garden retreat

The delightful garden may look as though it needs a lot of care, but in fact is surprisingly low maintenance. The rockery that hugs the base of the house is bursting with perennials planted in an ad-hoc manner, and oozes country-garden appeal.

The front garden contains generous plantings, combining tulips, daffodils, irises and cornflowers with sage and rhubarb as a feast for the eyes. A winding path draws the visitor further into the garden.

Artwork contributes to a garden without adding to the workload. In this corner, a handsome wire birdcage complements a decorative bird motif by a local artist.

Rejuvenated pathways now amble their way through the garden, past flowerbeds bursting with kangaroo paw, old-fashioned roses, yellow daisy and lavender.

Old-fashioned roses add a splash of colour. Roses will reward pruning with a showy display of fragrance and blooms.

Self-seeding wildflowers are a cottage garden mainstay.

At the side of the house, dwarf roses are teamed with tulips, hibiscus, lavender and thyme, offering fragrance and colour, while the dense planting will eventually crowd out weeds to reduce maintenance. The lawn has been revived with drought-tolerant blended ryegrass, giving it a lush and healthy look.