**Who says you need a big yard to create a colorful cottage garden buzzing with life?** My Ohio townhouse garden is a little bit cottage garden, a little bit pollinator paradise, and a whole lot of experimenting! I choose flowers for their beautiful colors, the way they make me feel, and the butterflies, bees, and other wildlife they attract. Over the past 6 years, I've filled the borders along my sidewalk and patio with annuals, perennials, flowers grown from saved seeds, nursery finds, and transplants from my mom's garden. Because I walk past them every day, it's easy to notice new blooms, pull a few weeds, deadhead flowers, or spot a plant that needs attention. It's gardening woven into everyday life. I'm also learning more about native plants, thoughtful plant combinations, and how a healthy garden can support pollinators, soil health, and the surrounding environment. I'm not aiming for an exclusively native garden, but I do research plants before adding them, especially to avoid invasive species. After spending a summer removing aggressive English ivy that had taken over trees and ground space, I've learned firsthand why that matters! I love experimenting with color combinations, mixing plants that complement each other visually, and discovering how different species can coexist and benefit the garden. From sunny cottage-style flower borders to my developing Japanese-inspired woodland border garden, I'm creating spaces that are as enjoyable to spend time in as they are beneficial to the life around them. Here I'm sharing the flowers I actually grow, what I've learned about caring for them, and the seeds, plants, and gardening tools I recommend along the way.
