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A Cottage Garden Valentine

© Barbara M. Martin

Valentine's Day is right around the corner. So what are you going to do this year? You could send your Valentine the traditional red roses which in the language of flowers say "I love you." You could send chocolates, too.

Dear reader, please note: Thank you for visiting my Cottage Garden topic and reading my columns, published here from February 1997 through spring 2003! I regret I am no longer actively editing or contributing to this suite101.com topic as of mid-2003. Happy Gardening! This Cottage Garden column was written by Barbara M. Martin and is Copyrighted by Barbara M. Martin. It may not be altered or copied or published elsewhere in whole or in part without specific permission from the author.

But sometimes we look for other options. Cottage gardeners might like Sunset's brand new book about cottage gardening, just published in 2003. Or perhaps some new froufrous for the garden, how about the splashy disco feel of Dancing Mirrors or a little Cupid statuette for a sweet quiet corner.

How about a new garden bed shaped like a heart? Make a slightly raised bed or use bender board for the outline, edge it in concrete or stone, or mark it out using a flexible plastic lawn edging; just be sure to exaggerate the heart shape so it remains clear once the flowers grow up next summer.

How about step stones in a heart shape? A square stone plus two half circles would do nicely, or you could do a custom pour using a ready mix concrete and a little elbow grease. How about decorating an ordinary concrete stone with a heart motif -- use paint or stain, or glue on baubles to outline the heart and maybe even your Valentine's initial.

Paint a little sign reminiscent of the old custom of initials carved in a tree.

How about a secret garden, planned on the sly, planted as a surprise. "Happy Valentine's Day" it will say in oh, about mid-July.

You could plant a garden of red and white and pink flowers. Carnations and petunias and geraniums come in those colors and are easy to grow in a sunny spot. You could use impatiens in the shade for the same combination. Or use your Valentine's favorite colors or favorite flowers.

Maybe a richly fragrant garden would suit your idea of the romantic garden (think sweet peas for starters) or consider a silver and white garden for fine romance by moonlight -- or a rose garden, so often the setting of stolen kisses and trysts of yore. Be sure to add an arbor!

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