You can ensure that the cottage garden has some permant 'bones' so that it has a definite shape year round. This could be in the form of evergreen shrubs, perhaps clipped into old fashioned topiary shapes, obelisks for climbers or features like a birdbath or sculpture. Clear edges are also important for keeping the garden neat, either sharp trenched lawn edge or a stone mowing strip set slightly below grade.

Most likely it is the weeds and trash which the city finds a problem. If you keep your front garden tidy with few weeds you should have no worries.

Actually, some of the city people have complimented me on my garden. But there are a few houses about half a mile away that are unattractive in the off season when stuff is not blooming. I think Floral's idea about 'bones', above, it a good one. Objects of interest to hold the eye when the plants are resting.

My problem is wanting plants to reseed themselves and not wanting to dig up baby plants so I leave it too long and it looks and is weedy. We aren't in the city though so no one is bothered but me.

Nan-nan, I too have that problem. Right now, tons of little nigellas I didn't thin enough (I did thin many) that will bloom but not be very showy. I tried to thin and transplant larkspurs but the ones I moved are not growing very tall. I have way too many wildflowers that birds, butterflies, bees enjoy. Every year I pull our more and more rudbeckias, yarrow, and purple coneflowers but they return in droves. I do have some evergreens--a dwarf magnolia, Indian Hawthorn, an upright buxus, and evergreen ground covers. Last year planted a couple baby crape myrtles.

In my neighborhood there is a wide range of front yard styles, from very unkempt to pristinely groomed. I get a lot of compliments on mine, but can't seem to keep the spring weeds and wildflowers under control. It gets hot too soon. And I always sow annual seeds in pots that need to be planted out and watered. So this year I guess I will ruthlessly dig up nigellas in bud and plant the seedlings now. It's already in the 80s most days. I did only one flat this year. It's getting harder every year with global warming and my aching body. If it weren't for the squirrels I would direct-sow more.