Rediscovering Grandma's Garden: How Old-Fashioned Flowers are Making a Comeback in Modern Spaces

If you're seeking to transform your outdoor space into a vibrant oasis, it seems that there's an exciting revival taking place. This April, garden enthusiasts and professionals are diving into the enchanting world of "Nostalgia Gardening," a trend that seeks to relive the joy, beauty, and scents of the past.

Many of us have fond memories of our grandmothers' gardens—lush, overflowing boundaries filled with colorful blooms and delightful fragrances. Imagine walking through rows of dahlias as big as dinner plates and towering spires of hollyhocks that seem to touch the sky. Memories of childhood summers spent among sweet peas climbing up fences and peonies spilling onto paths evoke comforting feelings that many are eager to recreate in their own gardens.

It turns out that this longing for old-fashioned plants is not just personal but also a growing trend. Renowned master gardener Sean James, based in Milton, Ontario, notes that nostalgia gardening brings a sense of history and comfort in our increasingly hectic lives. “Such gardens remind us of simpler times, providing the mood-boosters we desperately need,” he says. This laid-back approach to gardening is akin to the traditional cottage garden style, which emphasized using all available space for a mix of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers.

Gardener Stephen Crisp from the UK emphasizes that nostalgia gardens can be whatever the gardener desires, making them approachable even for novices. “There are no strict rules, and a weed here or there goes largely unnoticed," he explains, highlighting the freedom that this style of gardening offers. It’s all about creating a charming chaos filled with your own memories and experiences.

Niki Jabbour, a Nova Scotia gardener and author, has recently turned her own gardening practices towards nostalgia after the COVID-19 lockdowns. “I realized that while I wanted to grow vegetables, I also craved the sweet aroma of lilacs and sweet peas that reminded me of my grandmothers,” she reveals. Her garden now blooms with an array of plants that tell her personal story, reflecting a trend where many turn to gardens for solace and connection.

To add to the excitement, it seems that the pandemic has catalyzed an overwhelming interest in gardening. Veteran gardeners and new enthusiasts alike are rediscovering classic plants like roses, phlox, and lilacs—breathing new life into them. Buck Buchwald, a site supervisor at VanDusen Botanical Garden in Vancouver, points out that breeders have been working hard to make these beloved heritage plants more resilient, ensuring that even beginner gardeners can enjoy their beauty without the hassle of dealing with diseases.

A personal favorite of many gardeners is the poppy, a versatile flower that flourishes in various conditions and serves as a powerful reminder of cherished memories. Similarly, lilacs bring a wave of nostalgia, often transporting those who catch their scent back to simpler times. James recommends lilac variations like "Beauty of Moscow" for their alluring fragrance and attraction to pollinators, while urging caution with more invasive types.

In addition to flowers, herbs play an important role in nostalgia gardens by adding texture and practicality. Crisp insists that herbs like rosemary, thyme, and chives not only contribute to visual appeal but also provide culinary uses. Just a little maintenance—like confining mint to containers—can help keep the garden manageable and delightful.

For those worried about space, nostalgia gardening can be adapted to even the smallest urban plots. Vintage containers like aged copper pots can create an inviting atmosphere, filled with fragrant plants like lavender or compact varieties of lilacs and roses. Sean James recommends planting fragrant blooms near doorways or windows to allow their scents to waft indoors, further enhancing the nostalgic experience.

As we cultivate these gardens filled with memories and ancestral ties, we tap into something deeper—an essential longing for connection that transcends generations. Nostalgia gardens may not be just a temporary trend but a lasting tribute to the bonds of family, tradition, and our love for nature. So, why not dig your hands into the soil, sprinkle some seeds of your own cherished past, and watch as your garden flourishes into a vibrant tapestry of memories?