Cottage Outside Decoration.

Nothing so perfectly sets off a cottage, in external appearance, as the presence of plants and shrubbery around it. A large tree or two, by giving an air of protection, is always in place; and creeping vines, and climbing shrubs about the windows and porch, are in true character; while a few low-headed trees, of various kinds, together with some simple and hardy annual and other flowers - to which should always be added, near by, a small, well-tended kitchen garden - fill up the picture.

Fonte: Rural Architecture. Farm Houses.