There’s a saying that everything old is new again — and that feels especially true in the garden. Alongside cutting gardens, edible plots and naturalistic planting schemes, one of the biggest garden trends right now is nostalgia. In other words, the romantic, old-fashioned flowers our grandmothers once grew are firmly back in fashion.
Kerrie Kelly, CEO and creative director of Kerrie Kelly Studio, says much like the return of antiques, heirloom furniture, and collected interiors, 'gardeners are craving plants that feel familiar, comforting, and connected to memory,' to create spaces with a sense of permanence and soul.
'Many of these "grandma garden" plants remind us of childhood visits to grandparents’ homes, neighbourhood gardens, and a slower pace of life,' adds Kelly.
While it's no surprise that we’re seeking peace in our hectic, often stressful lives, many of these old-school plants never went away.
Corrina Stellitano Andrews, garden expert for Southern Living Plant Collection, says these plants have been staples for generations because they offer something that never goes out of style: reliability. 'Certain plants have stood the test of time with adaptability, resilience, and the ability to provide lasting beauty with minimal maintenance,' Corrina explains.
In many cases, old favourites have also been improved in areas such as disease resistance or heat tolerance.
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'Modern breeding is updating traditional garden favourites 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 gardens and in containers.'
Ahead, gardening experts reveal the most beautiful old-fashioned plants your Grandma likely grew — and why you should grow them, 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 Kerrie 'Today’s rose gardens feel much looser, softer, and more naturalistic.'
• Read more: The 5-minute task that helps roses bloom bigger all summer
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 winter. Reblooming varieties are especially appealing, bringing more and longer-lasting colour to the gaden, says Katie.
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• Read more: How to change the colour of your hydrangeas — the magic is in the soil
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, showstopping 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.
Read more: This Chelsea Flower Show peony will instantly make your garden look more expensive
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 Kerrie. 'One bloom can instantly transport people back to childhood memories and springtime traditions.' New varieties are more compact and have increased vigour, while reblooming types offer a second bloom period later in the season.
Gardenias
These shrubs are longtime favourites of warm-climate gardeners. 'Few plants are more closely associated with the nostalgia of traditional gardens than gardenias,' says Corrina. 'Their glossy evergreen foliage and intensely fragrant white flowers make them as desirable today as they were generations ago.'
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 Corrina. 'Their bold clusters of blooms create a dramatic spring show, while their evergreen foliage provides year-round structure and screening.'
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 Diane. 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.
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 colour range, and healthier disease-resistant types,' says Diane.
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 colours and compact habits to the category, says Katie. It’s a perennial in warm climates, but it can be grown as an annual in cooler regions.
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