Heirloom flowers
Long - loved , and often long - populate , sure-enough - fashionedplantsare just as squeamish now as they were when they were first planted . Often squall “ heirloom , ” these classic industrial plant should be treated as such — family treasures exceed down through generations . Whatever you call them , one thing all they have in common is that they ’re easy to care for and are n’t prone to pest problems .
Clear up name confusion with heirloom flowers
It ’s fun to hear the different common names many one-time - fashioned heirloom plants go by . While some say “ knight bachelor ’s clit , ” others know the same plant as “ cornflower ” or “ ragged sailor . ” Thankfully , we can rely on the botanical names to figure out what we ’re talking about . Unless you know someone already growing the old - fashioned works you want , you ’ll probably have to start out your own . Some can be a challenge to regain at the garden center but each of the plants profile here has anonline source . Now let ’s take a look at some classic old favorites .
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Classic heirloom flowers to add to your garden
Check out these old - fasioned favorite flowers along with helpful tips to grow the in your own garden .
Siberian squill (Scilla siberica)
Siberian squill naturalizes easily , spread by seed and medulla oblongata . The bright dreary bell - shaped flowers are very cold - hardy and one of the first to bloom in early spring .
Once it ’s finished flowering , leaves turn yellow and die back , which happens about the sentence the lawn needs its first baseball swing . If they ’re in a grassy domain , you could just cut down over them , too . In heyday beds , plant them in full sun to part shadiness among other perennials that will emerge later and fill up in .
TypeBulbBloomsBlue in early to midspringLightFull sun to part shadeSoilWell - drainedSize3 to 6 in . tall , 2 to 3 in . wideHardinessCold hardy in USDA zones 2 to 8SourceOld House Gardens
Sweet peas (Lathyrus odoratus)
Sweet pea like cool weather so flora seminal fluid very early , as presently as the soil can be work . If you live in USDA zone 8 or tender , seed seed in the fall to enjoy their grand redolence before it gets hot . There are lots of assortment in a broad chain of mountains of colors but ‘ Cupani ’ ( also sell as ‘ Cupani ’s Original ’ ) is more heat - tolerant than most and intensely fragrant .
TypeAnnualBloomsBicolor pink and over-embellished in springiness to summerLightFull sun to part shadeSoilRich , well - drainedSize5 to 6 ft . tall , 2 to 3 ft . wideSourceAnnie ’s Annuals & Perennials
Bachelor’s button (Centaurea cyanus)
Though bachelor ’s push is often found in shades of pink , blanched and blue , ‘ Black Gem ’ is an old variety with gorgeous deep burgundy blooms . Sow seed outdoors in late wintertime in the South or other spring in more northern gardens .
Plants branch out with lots of retentive prow , create a spray of colorful ruffled flowers . Deadhead often to prolong bloom and maintain healthy plant . But leave a few blooms to go to seed late in the season . This variety will number true so you ’ll have that same beautiful color year after year .
TypeAnnualBloomsDeep burgundy in spring and fallLightFull sunSoilWell - drainedSize24 to 36 in . tall , 9 to 12 in . wideSourceAnnie ’s Annuals & Perennials
Zinnia (Zinnia elegans)
When you desire cut flowers for bouquets old maid flower ca n’t be amaze . There are are some of the easiest plants to grow and come in a wide kitchen stove of colour and sizes . Dahlialike ‘ Benary ’s Giant Mix ‘ in the pic , is a traditional favorite .
Sow old maid flower seeds like a shot in the garden after the threat of icing is past , about 6 inches aside . Thin seedling to 12 in apart to provide just air circulates which helps prevent two coarse foliage problems — leaf blot and powdery mildew . hold back plants watered during dry spells being careful not to get the foliation wet also helps .
TypeAnnualBloomsWhite , orange , yellow , purple , red , immature , garden pink and Salmon River from summer to frostLightFull sunSoilWell - drainedSize12 to 50 in . tall , 12 to 15 in . wideSourceHarris Seeds
Forget-me-not (Myosotis sylvatica)
A true blue efflorescence ? How could anyone forget that ? They are few and far between . Enjoy a spectacular spring show by interplanting this pretty sky downcast pratfall among daffodils . Its compact leaf makes a serious soil cover or edge at the front of the boundary line . Technically , forget - me - not is a biennial , but imbed self - sow so freely , filling in an area over metre , that it seems like a perennial .
TypeBiennialBloomsSky blue in springLightFull sun to part shadeSoilMoist , well - drainedSize6 to 9 in . tall , 6 to 12 in . wideHardinessCold hardy in USDA zones 3 to 8SourceLocal garden centers
