‘Red Valeriana’ Jupiter’s beard, valerian
Centranthus rubra 'Red Valeriana'
Easily grown in average soils in full sun. Plants tolerate light shade. Plants prefer moist, … Continued
browsing: heirloom garden plants
Heirloom gardens were planted in a time when folks didn’t coddle plants. Some were grown for food and medicine while others were planted for enjoyment. Many were brought along with settlers from faraway lands, while others were found in the native landscape and moved closer to home.
Many of us remember plants from our grandmother’s gardens. The list below includes plants to recreate these charming vintage landscapes.
buttonbush
Cephalanthus occidentalis
This deciduous shrub has an open, rounded habit. Common throughout the midwest, it can most … Continued
eastern redbud
Cercis canadensis
Delicate deep pink blossoms and buds are one of the earliest spring displays. Unique and … Continued
Roman chamomile
Chamaemelum nobile
Makes a fine, ferny and fragrant low groundcover tolerant of dry conditions. Tea made from … Continued
rocky mountain bee plant
Cleome serrulata
This colorful long-blooming native annual has large showy flowers in shades of pink and rose … Continued
summersweet, sweet pepperbush
Clethra alnifolia
A deciduous shrub native to swampy woodlands, wet marshes, and stream banks. Noted for mid … Continued
‘Prolificans’ lily-of-the-valley
Convallaria majalis ‘Prolificans’
Thrives in dry shade in poor soil. Excellent heirloom groundcover with dark green foliage spikes … Continued
‘Cosmic’ mix cosmos
Cosmos sulphureus 'Cosmic Mix'
Beautiful and carefree annuals pair easily with most any annual or perennial and bloom from … Continued
moonflower
Datura inoxia, Datura metel
Showy large white blooms open over rich dark foliage and deep red stems punctuated with … Continued
Delphinium ‘Guardian Blue’
Delphinium elatum 'Guardian Blue'
Tall spires of bright blue flowers atop strong stems are excellent for cutting and emerge … Continued
‘Dark Blue/Dark Bee’ Delphinium Magic Fountains
Delphinium (Magic Fountains) 'Dark Blue/Dark Bee'
Long-blooming, dwarf-sized variety that produces bold, electric-bluish-purple, ruffled flowers with dark blue centers, or bees. … Continued
slender deutzia
Deutzia gracilis
A dense, rounded, deciduous shrub with slender, broadly spreading, arching stems and growing about 2′ tall … Continued