An Old-Fashioned Flower Garden

Many years ago while out on an early summer walk, I came across a fairy-tale garden of such enchanting beauty that it stopped me in my tracks.

I vividly remember an abundance of towering multicolored hollyhocks and lavender spires of foxglove along with a supporting cast of many other vintage beauties, all combined in a seemingly random but oh-so visually pleasing way. As I stared in awe and admiration, I wondered what it was about this particular garden that spoke to me?

While taking in the beauty of those pleasing blooms, I experienced a wondrous feeling as though I had been transported to a long-ago place and time! In that serendipitous moment, I discovered the old-fashioned style that I wanted to recreate in my own flower beds, one that would connect me to beautiful gardens of the past.

An old-fashioned flower garden can include any mix of shrubs, perennials, biennials and annual flowers that have been grown for generations. Some of these plants may bring back fond memories of grandmother’s garden or have an association with a special event in our lives while others carry a delightful fragrance that we simply can’t live without. All are classic plants we’ve come to recognize as cherished old friends!

A good place to begin an old-fashioned garden is with some romantic shrubs. Lilacs, Hydrangeas and Vintage Roses are three classics that can create the backbone of your garden. Next, you’ll want to add perennials and biennials such as Bleeding Heart, Peonies, Violets, Lily of the Valley, Forget-Me-Not, Foxglove, Hollyhocks, Ladybells, Lavender and Columbine. Annuals will fill any blooming gaps with ongoing flower power, so be sure to add a variety for season-long color. Some great choices are Sweet Peas, Petunias, Cosmos, Four O’Clocks, Pansies, Marigolds, Zinnias and Heliotrope. If you like to get an early start on blooms, there are also many heirloom flower bulb varieties such as Snowdrops, Daffodils, Grape Hyacinth and Tulips that you can tuck in around your other plants.

The shrubs, plants and bulbs mentioned above are just a small sampling of what you can use to create your own old-fashioned garden. Whether you make it formal and structured or keep it casual and carefree, the only hard and fast rule here is to include plants that you love!

DISCLOSURE: This post contains affiliate links to the companies listed below. When you click through on a link and make a purchase, I may make a small commission at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank You!