Cottagecore and Engagements
When Taylor Swift said yes to Travis Kelce in a chandeliered gazebo surrounded by 2,000 blooms, 99% of the internet swooned. The other 1% squinted at the screen and asked, “Wait… what hardiness zone is he in?” Because let’s be real—not all of those flowers bloom at the same time. [Insert Wayne and Garth ‘we’re not worthy’ GIF here]—a standing ovation to the florists and landscape designers who pulled off this botanical miracle.
I knew right then and there: cottagecore is here to stay.
So what is cottagecore gardening? At its heart, it’s a Bridgerton fever dream—whimsical touches (think: chandeliers in gazebos), romantic muted colors, and an abundance of plants. It’s about slowing down, savoring nature, and letting your garden feel like a love letter to the land.
But how do you stay in your Lover’s era here in Central Texas, where beauty needs a serious backbone? That’s where native plants come in. About six months ago, I watched a YouTube video from the Sag Moraine Native Plant Community featuring Katarina Holecek, a horticulturist at Chicago’s Lurie Garden. She shared how to create a cottagecore garden using native plants—and it was a game-changer.
While I highly recommend watching the full video for your own insights, here are two takeaways I absolutely love:
Hardscape with softness. Use paths, fences, and benches to create structure without losing charm.
Plan for a three-season garden. Choose plants that bloom in succession so something is always flowering—feeding pollinators, delighting the senses, and keeping the magic alive.
To channel that lush, layered look without sacrificing resilience, here’s how we swap in native plants that thrive in our heat, droughts, and wild weather swings—while still delivering romance and pollinator magic.
Here’s how to swap in Central Texas natives that echo the romance, texture, and symbolism of Swift’s engagement garden:
Layer textures: Mix grasses, flowering perennials, and woody herbs for that “wild but intentional” look.
Use hardscape with softness: Think limestone paths, vintage benches, and trellises wrapped in native vines.
Plan for three seasons: Choose plants that bloom in succession—spring rain lilies, summer salvias, fall goldenrods.
Let it spill: Use Winecup (Callirhoe involucrata) or Frogfruit (Phyla nodiflora) to soften edges and invite pollinators.
Whether you’re chasing a Swift-worthy garden moment or just want your backyard to feel like a love letter to the land, cottagecore in Central Texas is absolutely possible—with the right plants and a little intention. Native species bring the romance and the resilience, feeding pollinators, grounding your space, and blooming in harmony with our seasons. So go ahead—hang the chandelier, plant the rain lilies, and let your garden tell a story that’s both dreamy and deeply rooted.
