Flowers for Victorian Gardens

Victorian gardens became popular in Victorian era England spanning from 1840 to 1900. Garden designers created intricate flower beds that focused on geometric shapes. Flowers were chosen based on color and texture and planted among masses with annuals, perennials and shrubs to define the garden.

Woody shrubs

Shrubbery with exotic-looking foliage and bold or large flowers are commonplace. Rose bushes are a central feature in most Victorian gardens, especially the spreading landscape style. The goal is a look of excessive, lush flowers creating a natural floral bouquet. Rhododendrons and azaleas figure prominently and must be heavily used. Other flowers that may contribute to the look and feel of a Victorian garden are camellias, hydrangeas, forsythias, butterfly bushes, magnolias, mock oranges, lilacs, spireas and viburnums.

Hardy perennials

Perennials should be intermixed with the shrubs to show off foliage and seasonal flowers. In the Victorian era, cut flowers were especially prized and used to embellish the home. Favorite varieties included peonies, bearded irises, delphiniums, hollyhocks, Oriental poppies, lilies, bleeding hearts and lilies of the Nile. These staples can be used in mixed borders and beds around the garden.

Bulbs and vines

Spring bulbs like tulips and daffodils are good for bringing early blooms to a Victorian-inspired garden. They can be used in formally designed beds, or as a blanket to cover large expanses of lawn. These flowers also work well at the edges of woodlands and in the barren soil under tall trees. Climbing roses and clematis vines are two brightly colored flowers that look great in a Victorian garden. For intense fragrance, consider adding jasmine or honeysuckle.

Annuals

Annuals provide reliable color from spring to fall in such a garden, especially in expansive beds where ornate designs are made with plants. Pansies and violas are good choices, as well as verbena, amaranthus, snapdragons, geraniums, salvias and petunias.