This book appeared in the post today. It was addressed to me but I have no idea who sent it. Perhaps it’s a birthday present? Thank you whoever you are! It’s right up my alley. In the forward it says, “Through her writing, she [Mrs C.W. Earle] swayed a wide public away from geometric formality in garden design towards the idea of allowing the garden to grow ‘freely’, producing a ‘natural’ garden that reflected the Pre-Raphaelite doctrine of ‘fidelity to nature’ which had influenced Mrs Earle. ”
Anyone who knows me or who has seen me at work on the allotment will know I don’t do straight lines instead preferring to bung stuff in all over the place. I don’t really do it consciously, I think it’s more to do with a lack of planning on my part, but I do believe there are some benefits with this approach. Mixing up plants makes them less susceptible to pests and disease.
I look forward to reading what Mrs Earle has to say on the matter.
rachel.blog 
I admire cottage gardens – natural is harder than it looks, especially natural abundance. Mine tends towards weeds. How nice that someone should know your tastes so well
Yes, they always looks so natural and easy but when you actually try it yourself it’s quite hard. I have never been able to do it myself. Maybe this book will help.