About Us

The Cottage Garden Society (CGS) is an informal and friendly society of about 3,000 members in many countries, though most are based in the UK. It brings together amateurs and professionals who share an enthusiasm for this type of gardening.  We began in 1982 over 40 years ago, but we are striving to modernise the society, whilst being true to the ethos of "the cottage garden style" 

The Society was founded in 1982 when cottage garden plants were becoming 'unfashionable'. Those starting the Society wanted to protect this vanishing planting style. They were concerned that, in the move to easily maintained gardens, hard landscaping was becoming more important than the plants.

Interest in the Society soon grew and from small beginnings with the founders based in North Wales and Cheshire, we now have over 30 regional groups spread throughout the United Kingdom. Most of these groups meet monthly for talks, garden visits, seed swaps and plant sales. You do need to be a member of the National Society to attend regional group meetings and be covered by our RHS affiliated insurance.

Any member of the National Society can join a regional group for the extra benefits of mixing with like-minded gardeners in your own area. Groups organise speakers and garden visits like a visit to East Lambrook Manor in Somerset (on left) the home of Margery Fish the Doyenne of Cottage Gardening.

What We Do

In our groups and in our magazine, we give tips on having a healthy wildlife garden, encourage predators to your garden which balances the ecology of your garden. Collecting seeds for future gardeners is also extremely important so we don't lose those special, old fashioned, yet useful and attractive flowers, vegetables and fruits.

Photographic Competition

The Cottage Garden Society's Photographic Competition

Each year we invite members to submit photographs to the photographic competition.

The 2025/2026 competition is now open

More information ➝

Garden Photographs

We are always looking for garden photographs for our magazine "The Cottage Gardener" and/or for our website please get in touch with editor@thecgs.org.uk

Previous winners of the competition

1st Place - Through The Garden Gate

Caroline Harcourt

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2nd - Autumn Tints

Imogen Perkins

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3rd - Summer Tranquility

Hazel Khurshid Akhtar 

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