Old-school plants are having a major resurgence.
There’s a saying that everything old is new again—and that’s especially true when it comes to gardens. In addition to cutting gardens, edible gardens, and naturalistic plantings, one of the biggest gardening trends in recent years is nostalgia. That means the romantic, old-fashioned plants that our grandmas loved and grew are popular once again.
“In design, we often talk about creating spaces with a sense of permanence and soul. I think gardeners are looking for the same thing,” says Kerrie Kelly, NKBA, FASID, CEO and creative director of Kerrie Kelly Studio, and NKBA 2026 national board chair. “Much like the return of antiques, heirloom furniture, and collected interiors, I think gardeners are craving plants that feel familiar, comforting, and connected to memory.”
It's no surprise that we’re seeking peace in our hectic, often stressful lives. “Many of these ‘grandma garden’ plants remind us of childhood visits to grandparents’ homes, neighborhood gardens, and a slower pace of life,” says Kelly. “In a world that often feels increasingly digital, people are gravitating toward gardens that feel emotional, rather than curated for social media.” In fact, many of these old-school plants never went away.
“Gardeners are rediscovering classic plants that have been staples in landscapes for generations because they offer something that never goes out of style: reliability,” says Corrina Stellitano Andrews, garden expert for Southern Living Plant Collection. “Certain plants have stood the test of time with adaptability, resilience, and the ability to provide lasting beauty with minimal maintenance.”
In many cases, old favorites have also been improved in areas such as disease resistance or heat tolerance.
“Modern breeding is updating traditional garden favorites and making them even better,” says Katie Tamony, chief marketing officer and trend spotter for Monrovia. “They’re easier to grow, offer more and longer-lasting blooms, and are often more compact, so they work well in smaller yards and in containers.”
Ahead, here are the most beautiful old-fashioned garden plants experts say Grandma grew—and you should, too!
Roses
There’s no arguing that these classic flowers add an undeniably romantic feel to gardens. Although roses sometimes have a reputation for being fussy and difficult to grow, new varieties are hardier and more disease-resistant.
“Gardeners are rediscovering that roses don’t have to be fussy or formal,” says Kelly. “Today’s rose gardens feel much looser, softer, and more naturalistic.”
Varieties to grow: Nitty Gritty Peach, It’s a Breeze Ivory Blush, Rise Up Lilac Days, Pink Double Knock Out, Never Been Redder
Hydrangeas
With their large blooms and carefree nature, hydrangea shrubs are a must-have in any garden for long-season interest. You’ll have summer blooms that last for months, and many varieties retain their delicate, papery-looking flowers throughout the winter. Reblooming varieties are especially appealing, bringing more and longer-lasting color to the landscape, says Tamony.
Varieties to grow: Seaside Serenade Kitty Hawk, Big Daddy, Dear Dolores, Let’s Dance Sky View
Peonies
With huge, lavish blooms and powerful fragrance, peonies may have a short season, but these perennials (which can live for decades!) are worth every inch of garden space for their sheer, show-stopping blooms. They’re also fabulous in a cutting garden. “As cut flowers, there is an ever-increasing demand for the romantic, lush look they provide in a vase,” says Diane Blazek, executive director of the National Garden Bureau.
Varieties to grow: Garden Candy Double Bubble Pink Itoh, Festiva Maxima, Karl Rosenfeld, Sarah Bernhardt
Lilacs
With their delicate flowers in pink, white, or various shades of purple, lilac shrubs reign supreme in the springtime garden. “Lilacs are perhaps one of the most emotionally evocative plants in the garden,” says Kelly. “One bloom can instantly transport people back to childhood memories and springtime traditions.” New varieties are more compact and have increased vigor, while reblooming types offer a second bloom period later in the season.
Varieties to grow: Little Darling, Bloomerang Dark Purple, Bloomerang Ballet
Gardenias
These shrubs are longtime favorites of warm-climate gardeners. “Few plants are more closely associated with the nostalgia of traditional gardens than gardenias,” says Andrews. “Their glossy evergreen foliage and intensely fragrant white flowers make them as desirable today as they were generations ago.”
Varieties to grow: Jubilation, ScentAmazing, Diamond Spire
Rhododendrons
These resilient shrubs make an excellent addition to your garden’s overall design. “For generations, rhododendrons have been prized for their large evergreen leaves and spectacular spring flowers. They often serve as focal points in established landscapes,” says Andrews. “Their bold clusters of blooms create a dramatic spring show, while their evergreen foliage provides year-round structure and screening.”
Varieties to grow: Southgate Radiance, Dandy Man Color Wheel, Black Hat
Hollyhocks
Hollyhocks are old-school plants that are tall and stately, adding romantic drama to any garden setting. “They evoke a feeling of a cottage garden yet can be modernized depending on what they are planted with,” says Blazek. They’re technically biennials, meaning they complete their growing cycle in two years, but they often drop seeds, or self-seed, so they’ll come back for years.
Varieties to grow: Summer Carnival Apple Blossom, Summer Carnival Pink, Fiesta Time, Blacknight
Zinnias
Zinnias are sturdy annual flowers that make an excellent addition to cutting gardens, and they’re super-easy to grow from seed. “Many new varieties are now available, meaning you have a wide variety of plant sizes to choose from, a huge color range, and healthier disease-resistant types,” says Blazek.
Varieties to grow: Benary’s Giant (various colors), Queeny Lime, Zowie Yellow Flame, Cut and Come Again
Agapanthus
With its fireworks-like display of blooms, this lovely perennial is an unexpected and delightful addition to the garden. More recent varieties are bringing more colors and compact habits to the category, says Tamony. It’s a perennial in warm climates, but it can be grown as an annual in cooler regions.
Varieties to grow: Bridal Veil, Ever White, Little Blue Fountain
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