When you walk into your garden right now and see the beauty that is filled with life, beauty, colors, and aromas, you just might ask yourself “What the heck were they thinking when they landscaped with old-fashioned flowers?” In the past many flower gardeners, especially those who had the wealth to do it, would use the more traditional flowers for their flower landscape layouts. And, what a reaction they got from those who visited their yards. These old-fashioned flowers just made sense to them; and, it is no mystery why they made such a long list of “must have favorite old fashioned flowers!”
Most flower gardeners will agree with this assessment. Planting the same old roses and tulips that have been used for generations in gardens from another time may be a stretch for some. For others though, these old traditional flowers are exactly what they want. They want to bring the full sun, breezes, and colors to their gardens. Old fashioned roses and tulips will give your yard that “warm” feeling you get when you step outside in the fresh air.
A lot of people love their classic tulips and lilies, but for most flower gardeners they want to retain the classic “wild flower” look. There are many ways to accomplish that look in your landscaping design. Let’s take a look at a few.
One way you can keep the old fashioned wild flower appearance is by using the same basic flower grouping. The classic grouping of yellow and white daffodils or irises works well. You can also use tulips or daisies to accent a yellow base with orange blossoms. Another great base color is pale pink tulips. This combination can be enhanced with greenery such as hydrangeas, ferns, and other foliage to break up the lines.
One way to incorporate the wildflowers into your landscaping design is to use them in the same space as your shrubs and trees. For example, if you have an archway garden set up between your house and garage, plant some old fashioned iron wrought iron flowers along the walkway. You can do the same with an arch. Just plant a border of old fashioned irises or daisies between the arch and the house. These will beautifully frame the arch.
You can take your wildflowers one step further by decorating your garden with a mixture of the wildflowers and your indoor plants. Using garden decor such as statues, wind chimes and hanging baskets, make the garden appear much more like the forest. Planting ferns, fern petals, and other ground covering flowers such as forget-me-nots can help to bring this natural look into your flower bed. Place several specimen size wildflower seeds in large containers underneath the ornamental grass of your patio garden.
If you’re looking for a fun way to bring a piece of the wild into your home, consider using old fashioned ceramic bird feeders. They may not be as attractive as the display you can find at most garden stores, but they’ll still allow your feathered friends to feast on the flowers. Ceramic bird feeders can either be made of white ceramic, or painted with colorful designs, so you can choose one that complements your yard’s color scheme.
Many people are surprised to find out that wildflowers are actually easier to care for than their indoor cousins. They’re easier to maintain throughout the year, and don’t require the high maintenance often associated with indoor plants. In fact, many experts say wildflowers are actually better for the environment than the plants you put indoors. By planting old fashioned orchids, perennials, shrubs and other plants that come from the wild, you can ensure that your yard remains true to its roots and offers you and your family beautiful sights, smells and sounds year round.