21 Plants That Grew Wild in Grandma’s Garden (But Are Hard to Find Today)

There was something exceptional about Grandma ’s garden — the sort of place where thing seemed to grow a little wilder , a niggling freer , and with a band less tiff . It was n’t curated or trendy , but somehow it always feel full of life . Many of those plants flourish without much attention , popping up year after year like old friends . You ’d see them winding around fences , tuck between vegetables , or spill out of forget pots .

Now , a tidy sum of those same plants are surprisingly hard to regain . Some accrue out of favor , others got labeled as “ weeds , ” and a few just got lost in the shuffle as newer hybrids took over . But they ’re still out there if you know what to bet for — and bringing them back find a routine like reconnecting with a piece of family history . Here are 21 plants that used to be staple in gardens like Grandma ’s but have become rarefied sights today .

Lamb’s Ear

With its flabby , velvety leaves , Lamb ’s auricle was a front-runner in Grandma ’s garden . kid loved to stroke its fuzzy foliage , evocative of a blue lamb ’s ear . This delightful repeated thrives in cheery spots and well - run out grunge , offer up a silvery hue to the garden landscape painting . In late spring , it produces tall spike of imperial flower , draw in bees and butterfly . Though it ’s drouth - resistant , Lamb ’s Ear struggles in overly humid conditions .

Love-in-a-Mist

beloved - in - a - Mist is an entrancing annual that graced many old garden with its ticklish down in the mouth blossom and feathery foliage . The blooms , resembling a misty veil , come out in former summer and play a jot of mystery to any garden . This plant is easy to grow from germ , preferring sunny locations and well - drained stain . Once established , it requires minimum care , make up it a nurseryman ’s delectation . Despite its ravisher , sexual love - in - a - Mist has become less common , overshadow by more modernistic hybrid .

Foxglove

marvellous and stately , Foxgloves were once a staple in Grandma ’s garden , known for their towering spikes hide in bell - regulate flower . These biennials thrive in partial shade and moist , well - drain soil , adding a vertical accent to garden design . Foxglove flowers , though beautiful , are toxic if ingested , a fact Grandma always admonish about . Despite their allure , digitalis have come out of favor , often replace by down in the mouth - upkeep perennials .

Hollyhock

Hollyhocks , with their towering presence , add together a feeling of elegance to Grandma ’s garden border . These biennials produce an array of coloured blooms that open consecutive along their tall stems . Growing best in cheery spots with rich dirt , althaea attract pollinators like bees and butterflies . Though arresting , they are susceptible to rust , a fungous disease that has contributed to their decline in popularity . Still , their quondam - worldly concern appeal is unparalleled .

Bachelor’s Button

Bachelor ’s button , also roll in the hay as Cornflowers , were once a coarse batch in Grandma ’s garden , cherished for their bright blue petal . These hardy annuals are easy to grow , prefer sunny fix and well - drained soil . They blossom throughout the summertime , providing a splash of colour and pull good insects . Historically , Bachelor ’s Buttons were used in herbal remedy , tote up to their appeal . However , their simpleness is often command in favour of more elaborate flowers today .

Columbine

columbine added a touch of whimsy to Grandma ’s garden with their distinctive , spurred flower . These perennial thrive in fond shade and well - drained land , displaying a range of color from soft pastels to vibrant hues . Columbines are a deary among hummingbird and bees , shit them an essential part of a wildlife - friendly garden . Despite their charm , Columbines have become less popular , as gardeners seek plants with more protracted blooming periods .

Bleeding Heart

Bleeding Heart , with its magical gist - form blooms , was a romantic add-on to Grandma ’s spring garden . These perennials prefer coolheaded , shady spots and moist , well - drained soil . The flowers hang fine from arch stem , create a stunning display of pink and white . While their beauty is undeniable , Bleeding Hearts disappearance as summer heat intensifies , guide to their decline in mod gardens . Their delicate nature and ephemeral blooms require a gardener ’s patience and grasp .

Sweet Pea

Sweet Peas , with their intoxicate fragrance and pastel bloom , were a staple in Grandma ’s garden . These yearly crampoon thrive in gay area with fertile , well - drain soil , adding vertical interest to fences and trellises . Sweet Peas require even watering and deadheading to prolong their blooming time of year . Despite their captivating scent , they have become less common in today ’s garden , as many gardeners opt for low - sustentation alternatives . The effort put into growing Sweet Peas is always rewarded with their delightful olfactory property .

Snapdragon

snapdragon , with their dragon - similar blossom , bring a playful touch to Grandma ’s garden . These yearly thrive in sunny localization , producing spike of flowers in various colors . Snapdragons are a pet among children for their interactive flower that can “ snap ” undecided and unopen . They require unconstipated deadheading to encourage continuous blooming . Despite their charm and vibrant colors , snapdragon have become less rife , as gardeners prefer perennials that involve less maintenance .

Four O’Clocks

Four O’Clocks , named for their late - afternoon blooming , added an component of surprisal to Grandma ’s garden . These perennial thrive in cheery spots with well - run out filth , bring on trump - determine flowers in various people of color . As the sidereal day cool , their blooms open , releasing a mellisonant sweetness that attracts even pollinators . Four O’Clocks are easy to grow and can self - seed , guarantee a vibrant display year after year . However , they have become less common , often shadow by more integrated garden intent .

Morning Glory

Morning Glories , with their vivacious trumpet - shape blooms , were a pollyannaish accession to Grandma ’s garden . These annual climbers favour sunny locations and well - enfeeble filth , idealistic for covering fence and trellises . Morning Glories bloom profusely in the early morning , their bloom unfurl to recognize the sunlight . Though comfortable to uprise , they can become trespassing if not managed . Despite their lulu , Morning Glories have fallen out of favor , often replaced by more control flowering vines .

Sweet William

Sweet William , with its fragrant clusters of heyday , bring colouring material and scent to Grandma ’s garden . These biennial thrive in sunny spots with well - drained soil , displaying a variety of hue from white to inscrutable red . Sweet William ’s clove tree - like scent attracts pollinators , enhancing the garden ’s biodiversity . Though wizardly , they have become less vulgar as gardener turn to longer - bloom perennials . Despite this , Sweet William ’s nostalgic collection and delightful perfume make it a worthy garden addition .

Dame’s Rocket

Dame ’s Rocket , with its clustering of purplish and white prime , lend uncivilised beauty to Grandma ’s garden . This biennial fly high in cheery spots and can accommodate to various grunge types . Its sweet fragrance intensifies in the even , pull night - fly pollinators . Though beautiful , Dame ’s Rocket is considered trespassing in some regions , leading to its decline in popularity . Despite this , its old - fashioned appeal remains appealing to those who appreciate naturalistic garden designs .

Lunaria (Honesty)

Lunaria , commonly known as Honesty , brought a touch of magic to Grandma ’s garden with its shimmer seed pod . This biennial produces cluster of over-embellished flowers in spring , follow by translucent seed pods resembling coins . Lunaria thrives in fond shade and rich , well - drain dirt . Its unequaled seminal fluid pods are often used in dried peak system . Despite its beauty , Lunaria has become less mutual , overshadowed by plants with more elongated flowering periods . However , its decorative source seedcase go along to captivate gardeners .

Spiderwort

Spiderwort was a whimsical addition to Grandma ’s garden , with its bright blue flowers and pot - like leaves . This perennial thrives in fond shade and moist grime , lending a raw , woodland feel to the garden . Spiderwort ’s flower receptive in the morning and close-fitting by afternoon , a charming casual cycle . Despite its beauty , Spiderwort can spread aggressively if not managed , which has led to its decline in modern gardens . Still , its unparalleled charm remains a favorite among gardener who adore wild flower aesthetics .

Lady’s Mantle

Lady ’s Mantle , with its scallop leaf and chicken - unripened flowers , added a touch of elegance to Grandma ’s garden borders . This perennial prosper in fond shade and moist , well - run out soil . Lady ’s Mantle leave beguile dawning dew , creating a sparkling effect that raise its appeal . Despite its good luck charm , the plant is often overlooked in favour of more vivacious rosiness . Its elusive beauty and ability to thrive in less - than - ideal conditions make it a worthful garden addition .

Wild Geranium

Wild Geraniums , with their soft pink bloom , were a intimate raft in Grandma ’s garden . These perennials flourish in partial nicety and forest options , mold lush carpets of foliage and color . Wild Geraniums are low - maintenance , command little more than occasional watering and pruning . Though beautiful , they have become less mutual in cultivated garden , often replaced by more structured industrial plant . Their naturalistic appeal and relaxation of care make them a delightful choice for gardener seeking a touch of wilderness .

Joe-Pye Weed

Joe - Pye Weed , with its towering presence and mauve flower bunch , was a striking increase to Grandma ’s garden . This aboriginal perennial thrives in gay spots with dampish grime , attracting butterfly and bee with its nectar - robust blooms . Joe - Pye Weed ’s height adds a dramatic ingredient to garden boundary line . Despite its appealingness , it is less commonly produce today , overshadow by more compact , innovative hybrids . However , its ecological economic value and beauty make it a suitable choice for gardener who appreciate aboriginal plants .

Black-Eyed Susan

Black - Eyed Susans , with their golden flower petal and dark centers , brought cheerfulness to Grandma ’s garden . These hardy perennials thrive in cheery locations and well - drained filth , blooming from summer to fall . pitch-black - Eyed Susans attract pollinators and tot up a vibrant spattering of colour to the garden . Despite their resiliency and beauty , they have become less vulgar , supervene upon by plant with more wide-ranging blooms . However , their cheery disposition and ecological benefits make them a timeless choice for gardeners .

Butterfly Weed

Butterfly Weed , with its bright orange flowers , was a attraction for monarch butterflies in Grandma ’s garden . This native perennial thrives in sunny spots with well - drain grime , providing nectar and habitat for pollinators . Despite its beauty and ecological importance , Butterfly Weed is less ordinarily institute in modern garden , overshadow by more decorative industrial plant . However , its vibrant color and part in supporting wildlife make it a valuable addition for gardeners institutionalise to biodiversity .

Phlox

Phlox , with its fragrant clusters of prime , added a diffuse , wild-eyed feeling to Grandma ’s garden . These perennials flourish in gay areas with well - drained land , blooming in a range of color from pinks to purples . Phlox ’s sweet scent pull pollinator , enhancing the garden ’s biodiversity . Despite its spell , Phlox is less common today , as nurseryman seek plants with longer blooming time period . However , its nostalgic solicitation and fragrance make it a cherished plus to any garden .

21 Plants That Grew Wild in Grandma’s Garden (But Are Hard to Find Today)