Using Greenhouses To Grow Fruits, Vegetables, And Other Plants
Victorian greenhouses can add an incredible amount of charm to any garden. Rather than looking set to the Victorian period it is possible to create a garden design that leads to an almost timeless garden with an atmosphere of times long gone. The best way in which to create an old fashioned garden around a Victorian greenhouse is to carefully choose which plants, trees and shrubs to grow in your garden.
Choosing the Best Plants to go with Victorian Greenhouses
While the science of gardening continues to improve modern plants many gardeners like to look back to the past to discover old fashioned plants. There are many reasons for using such plants in a modern garden and many landscape gardeners appreciate the, often unique, qualities of older varieties of modern landscaping plants. It is especially important to use such plants when you are attempting to create an old fashioned looking garden. Of course you can create a period garden by purchasing a few quality garden ornaments such as a period street light or old fashioned water pump but when it comes to the likes of Victorian greenhouses and other large investments you really should be looking to make the most if it.
To my mind the best way in which to make the most of Victorian greenhouses (or modern ones of that design) is to plan your garden around them. By that I do not mean that you keep it central, no it can be tucked away in a corner or anywhere else in the garden, what I mean is that you always keep your Victorian greenhouse at the very fore of your mind when designing your garden. One of the most important things to consider in your design is which plants to cultivate.
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A few Suggestions on which Old Fashioned Plants to use
Some people consider older varieties of plants too much trouble to grow today, they may be too messy, they may be invasive by self-seeding, their blooms may be less predictable or they may be susceptible to certain pests or diseases. However below is a list of old-fashioned plants (annuals, biennials, perennials, old roses, trees and shrubs) which will look great when grown within the vicinity of Victorian Greenhouses.
Trees & Shrubs
Apple, 'Albenarle Pippin'
Hydrangea arborescens, 'Grandiflora'
Malus x 'Bob White' (or other Crab apples)
Philadelphus intectus, 'Virginal' (Virginal mock orange)
Rhododendron prunifolium (Plum-leaf azalea)
Old Roses
'Duchesse de Brabant' Tea Rose
'Louise Odier' Bourbon Rose
'Madame Hardy' Damask Rose
'Old Bush' China Rose
Annuals, Biennials & Perennials
Alcea rosea (Single-flowering hollyhock)
Callistephus chinensis (China aster)
Dianthus babrbatus (Sweet William)
Digitalis purpurea 'Alba' (White foxglove)
Heliotrpium arborescens (Heliotrope)
Lavendula angustifolio (English lavender)
Scabiosa atropurpurea (Pincushion flower)
Zinnia pauciflora (Small-flowered zinnia)
Of course there are a great many more old fashioned flowers that will look great growing near, and around, Victorian greenhouses, Victorian garden furniture or any other period items in your garden. The few listed above should help point you in the right direction and if you begin to understand some of the qualities of these plants you can substitute or mix in some modern plants or wild flowers. Maybe create a mixed herbaceous border or you could go with a cottage garden design? Whatever you decide by using old fashioned plants you can sympathetically enhance the beauty of your wonderful Victorian greenhouse.
See also:
Learning About Victorian Greenhouses
This article takes a look at these wonderful garden buildings.
More articles about the greenhouse >
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