Lately, I’ve been diving into the world of landscape design – particularly cottage & colonial landscaping – and trying to amp up my skills in the greenery department. I’ve always admired those who are naturally talented at caring for plants and their yards. But, if I’m being honest, it has definitely been a learning curve for me!

Last week, I lucked out and found a few amazing old landscaping books at our local ARC for just $3 each. I couldn’t resist snagging them and I’ve been flipping through their pages every single day. Despite being dated, they’re packed with some invaluable tips that are just as relevant now as they were back then. Here’s what I’ve learned so far:

The Key Elements of Colonial Landscaping

Image Source: Matthew R. Dougherty

One of the first things I learned about colonial landscaping & gardens is how important symmetry is. But, this isn’t totally surprising considering symmetry is a defining characteristic of colonial homes. It’s all about arranging plants and hardscape elements in a really balanced, orderly way on either side of a central path or feature to create a perfect sense of harmony.

Clipped boxwood hedges are like the secret weapon of colonial landscaping. They create super neat, defined borders and pathways that make everything look so structured and classic.

Image Source: The Fox Group

Brick paths and gravel walkways also add a ton of character to colonial style homes, and using these materials now can really give your garden a timeless look. Plus, you can’t go wrong with a bit of wrought iron. Think about using this material in fences, gates, and garden furniture to enhance the colonial aesthetic and to make everything feel elegant and classic.

Colonial Gardens & Florals

Colonial landscaping is packed with heritage plants like foxgloves, roses, peonies, and phlox. These plants were super popular back in the day and they’re still loved because of their gorgeous blooms and historical charm. Plus, colonial gardens weren’t just about looking pretty – they were practical too. People grew a lot of their own food, so you would find herbs, vegetables, and fruit trees mixed in. Adding these to your garden not only gives it an authentic colonial feel but also makes it functional and beautiful.

Image Source: Carson McElheney Landscape Architecture & Design

You know what else can really transform a garden? Adding architectural elements like wooden arbors or pergolas. They’re perfect for supporting climbing plants like roses or wisteria, which add amazing vertical interest and shade. And to give your garden even more of that colonial authenticity, think about adding some focal points. Sundials, bird baths, or colonial-style lanterns are all great choices. They not only draw the eye but also add a touch of elegance and history to your space.

My Colonial Landscaping Plans

Now that I’ve given myself a crash course in colonial landscaping & design, I’m going to try my hand at implementing it on our own home. Since our home is a 90’s colonial, it has some of the hallmark features of colonial architecture. I see a lot of potential to enhance its charm with the right landscaping!

One thing that differs in the architectural style of our home is that it isn’t perfectly symmetrical on either side of our front door like traditional colonial homes. The asymmetrical façade and central entrance of our house provide a great starting point for incorporating classic colonial elements, but I will have to draw even more focus to the front entryway to make it feel truly colonial. (In case you missed it – I talk all about drawing focus to your front door in this post here.)

Another big challenge I’m facing is adapting these principles to our hot, arid climate in Colorado. Water conservation is crucial here, so I must be mindful of my plant choices and garden layout. The sun is also much stronger here which really affects the plant life. Fortunately, many heritage plants used in colonial gardens can be quite resilient once established. My plan is to focus on drought-tolerant varieties and incorporate plenty of mulch to help retain moisture.

I’m really looking forward to sharing my progress and any tips I pick up along the way. Have you ever created a landscape design for your home? How did it go? I’d love to hear about any challenges you faced and how you solved them!