Old Fashioned Plants
The "old fashioned plants" grown by our parents and grandparents offer beauty and nostalgia in today's gardens. Many need to be started from seed because they do not lend themselves to commercial production methods and are not readily available.
You should experiment with seeding and growing these plants in order to familiarize yourself with their habits.
Most will self-seed in desirable places.
They are easy to grow and are extremely rewarding in the garden!
Microclimate and severity of winter determine whether these plants perform as hardy or half-hardy annuals, tender perennials or biennials. Hardy annuals reliably survive the winter; half-hardy annuals can survive depending on the severity of the winter weather. Tender perennials are not frost tolerant. Biennials grow foliage in their first year and flower in their second year. Results vary, but are well worth the experiment! Sow in an established border by pulling the mulch back, seeding, and covering lightly with Pro-Mix. A new bed can be started as well, but be careful not to cover the seeds too heavily. Sow seeds in August (especially biennials) to grow over the winter and bloom the following spring. Or, sow two to four weeks before the last frost in late March or early April. Plant where there is a minimum of 5-6 hours of direct sun. After plants are visible (May-June, or September) mulch lightly to prevent weeds and conserve moisture.
Cool-season flowers and vegetables will provide interest in the fall and spring and can be removed as the warm summer months approach. Others will provide summer interest. Removing the spent flowers will encourage repeat blooming well into the fall. Leave some of the flowers to mature and re-seed themselves for next summer. It is easy to thin out the unwanted seedlings if they become crowded.
Flowers
These make great cut flowers for fresh arranging. Some can be dried for later use, and many have wonderful fragrance as a bonus!
| Alcea |
Hollyhock |
| Antirrhinum majus |
Snapdragon |
| Bellis |
English Daisy |
| Calendula |
Pot Marigold |
| Centaurea cyanis |
Bachelors Button |
| Cheiranthus |
Wallflower |
| Molucella laevis |
Bells of Ireland |
| Campanula medium |
Canterbury Bells Cleome |
| Consolida ajacis |
Larkspur or Delphinium |
| Digitalis |
Foxglove |
| Euphorbia marginata |
Snow-on-the-Mountain |
| Hesperis matronalis |
Dames or Sweetrocket |
| Lathyrus odoratus |
Sweet Pea |
| Lavatera trimestris |
Tree Mallow |
| Lobularia |
Sweet Alyssum |
| Lychnis coronaria |
Rose Campion |
| Lunaria |
Money Plant |
| Myosotis |
Forget-me-not |
| Nicotiana alata and sylvestris |
Flowering Tobacco |
| Nigella |
Love-in-a-Mist |
| Phlox drummondii |
annual types |
| Papaver |
Poppy annual types |
| Rudbeckia hirta |
Gloriosa Daisy |
| Matthiola |
Stock |
| Verbascum |
Mullein |
| Verbena bonariensis |
Verbena |
VEGETABLES
The following cool season plants make excellent companions for the old fashioned flowers listed. Although they are not "antique" themselves, they are edible as well as ornamental. Most are easy to grow from seed sown in early April or August-September. Cabbage and Kale are available as beautiful plants.
Lettuce (include some bronze and red varieties)
Mesclun Mix (varied textures)
Mustard (include reds)
Kale (blue, red, and green)
Swiss Chard (especially 'Bright Lights')
Spinach (rich green)
Collards (green, large leaf)
Peas (trellis with flowers beneath)
Perilla (red or bronze, after frost)
Basil (ground must be very warm, late May-early June)