Cottage Classic: White Picket Fence
Cottage gardens are romantic affairs, with blowsy perennials, free-wheeling self-seeders and rambling vines, all smothered in a confectionery of blooms. They're lovely, and my absolute favorite type of garden, but they have one caveat. They require structures. With all those rambling, flopping, winter-dormant, laissez-faire plants you want in a cottage garden, if you don't have structure, you have a big mess, plus nothing to look at through the off season.
This is where the fence comes in. Garden structures such as fences provide lines, support, architectural interest, "bones" as we call them, defining and focusing the cottage garden. They often add to its utility, since at it's heart, the cottage garden springs from a history of utility, growing herbs, vegetables, fruits and medicinal plants all within a small plot.
In the United States, the most familiar material is the classic wooden white picket fence. Whether painted or whitewashed, to many the picket fence is the epitome of the classic cottage garden. Which makes me wonder what the origin of the picket fence is. Wikipedia claims that picket fences have been used since the early 1600's in America.
Today, picket fences can be used in sections, such as just on either side of a garden entryway to provide form and focus to the garden entry, or, picket fences can run the entire length of the garden bed or property boundary, corralling the tumultuous plantings.
At Valentine Cottage, my previous semi-urban home, I installed white picket fences and arbors around the entire front garden. You might think that a picket fence is out of place in an urban settings, but even city dwellers appreciate the charm and reminder of more pastoral settings.
White picket fences seem to evoke memories of a simpler time, with porch swings, fireflies and lemonade. A time when doors were left unlocked and people had time to grow and put up fruit or tomatoes in their Victory garden.
Whether urban or rural, the low front fence is a classic garden structure and a welcome part of any cottage garden.
What about you? Do you have a picket fence in your garden?
This post on fences is a participant in the Gardening Gone Wild Garden Bloggers' Design Workshop for December: Fences and Walls.
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Comments (11)
Cindy:
janet:
kariandkijsa:
Angelina:
Jen:
Nan Ondra:
Jodie:
Mr. McGregor's Daughter:
Jim:
Patti Barton:
Michele:
Wow, I love all those photographs. There is something so charming about quaint little fences! I really love photo of the picket fence with the wicker chairs in the background!
Posted by Cindy | December 7, 2007 3:49 PM
Posted on December 7, 2007 15:49
I like he last one best. is that your "House or Sale" house? When I was in Seattle I noticed a lot of privacy fences in front yards. Definitely not a look conducive to Housepeeping!! What are they thinking??
Janet
Posted by janet | December 7, 2007 4:09 PM
Posted on December 7, 2007 16:09
What beautiful photographs....we want to be invited into those wonderful gardens!
Have a very blessed day!
kari and kijsa
Posted by kariandkijsa | December 8, 2007 6:24 AM
Posted on December 8, 2007 06:24
I keep debating about a fence in the front yard. It's expensive to do and a lot of work if you do it yourself. (I mean, with a front yard our size)I am a huge fan of white picket fences. Either that or wrought iron fences. I also liked the boxwood we had at our last house instead of fencing- but that wouldn't work on our current house I think.
Posted by Angelina | December 8, 2007 8:19 AM
Posted on December 8, 2007 08:19
Hubba hubba! Thank you for all of that wonderful eye candy. You know how much I enjoyed it.
Posted by Jen | December 8, 2007 8:44 AM
Posted on December 8, 2007 08:44
A splendid selection of photos, Angela--eye candy, indeed! I'm a devotee of picket fences myself, and you're so right that they're an integral part of the cottage-garden style. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, and thanks too for participating in the Garden Bloggers' Design Workshop!
Posted by Nan Ondra | December 8, 2007 1:27 PM
Posted on December 8, 2007 13:27
Beautifully writen Angela, We have a low airy fence so all the plants can poke out and grab at the neighbours! No pictures today but a giveaway as soon as I load the pics.
Posted by Jodie | December 8, 2007 1:47 PM
Posted on December 8, 2007 13:47
You're so right about cottage gardens needing the structure of a wall or fence. The openness of your fence suits the style of your garden well. However, I prefer a tall, solid fence for keeping out critters. I also did a fence post (no pun intended) as part of Garden Blogger's Design Workshop:
http://mcgregorsdaughter.blogspot.com/2007/12/garden-bloggers-design-workshop-walls.html
Posted by Mr. McGregor's Daughter | December 10, 2007 2:24 PM
Posted on December 10, 2007 14:24
I've been contemplating a low fence of some sort, but I think a wrought iron fence would suit my house. And, being a fussy designer, I'd only do it if I could design the fence it myself. Unfortunately, the potential costs scare me.
Great photos.
Posted by Jim | January 1, 2008 10:37 AM
Posted on January 1, 2008 10:37
Hi Angela, Thanks for sharing about your frustration with doing cottage decor. I have two cottages in Birch Bay, Washington - that's on the coast up by the Canadian border - that I decorate. I let the ideas slowly come to mind and try to do it inexpensively. We rent these two cottages out for summer vacations and winter getaways, so I have to keep it simple, uncluttered and inexpensive. I found your site while looking for pictures of picket fences. Our smaller cottage - Lora's has one - and we're wanting to put one in for Seashell, our three bedroom cottage and are looking for ideas. Thanks. Would you like pictures?
Posted by Patti Barton | March 18, 2008 3:45 PM
Posted on March 18, 2008 15:45
WOW!!! These photos are simply stunning!!! The picture of the front of your home is just so gorgeous I wish I could live there!!! You've got so much talent, and you can tell that it's a passion of yours. Lucky us to get to see your lovely gardens and projects on your blog!!
Michele
luvkittysmeowmail@gmail.com
Posted by Michele | May 31, 2008 4:39 AM
Posted on May 31, 2008 04:39