Back when I was in 7th grade (I know, it seems like it was decades ago!) I visited my Aunt and Uncle for the summer in St. Louis, Missouri. At the time, I hadn’t ever been to their home before and I was absolutely enthralled by their gorgeous Victorian home. I had no idea that classic architecture was so beautiful! As “wowed” as I was by the overall scape of their home, I hadn’t seen anything until they took me out back to their Victorian garden. As I wandered through their well-kept flower beds and shaped shrubbery, I absolutely fell in love. How could I recreate this a stunning Victorian garden like this back at home? The answer, as it turns out, is a lot easier than you might think. Keep reading for a few tips to create (and maintain!) a Victorian garden.
The Flowerbeds
Victorian gardeners prided themselves on keeping their flower gardens neat, symmetrical, and formal. Pick plants that are all the same height, color, and texture for a gorgeous Victorian garden. Some excellent flowerbed varieties include Acacia, Fushia, Geranium, Marigold, and Morning Glory. You’ll want to maintain your flower bed by weeding it weekly and watering it as often as your flower varieties need.
The Vines
Climbing vines such as Clematis, Wisteria, or Trumpet Vine can create a gorgeous look in any area of your Victorian garden. Have your vines grow on ugly fences, decks, or along pathways to improve the overall look and feel of your garden. Basically, you can use garden vines to cover up anything unsightly! After all, that’s what they did back then!
The Garden Gazebo
It wasn’t until I sat down to write this article did I realize that garden gazebos weren’t always a thing in an atypical Victorian garden. Only extremely wealthy individuals had the means for one of these! A dainty garden gazebo covered with vines of different varieties is a must for any Victorian garden. For even more romance, plant a few rosebushes around the perimeter of the gazebo for a sweet smell all summer long.
The Fence (And In This Case..Archways)
Ornate, elaborate iron fences were always a part of Victorian landscaping. Archways and tiny fences were used to separate each “room” of old gardens for viewing pleasure. Create the same vibe in your Victorian garden by placing flower-covered archways at the entrances to your garden along with an ornate iron fence or two. If you can, separate the areas of your yard using a fence made of shrubbery. Back in the day, this was a sign of wealth!
The Lawn
Victorian gardens always seem to have the most gorgeous lawns. They’re always well-kept and they’re always expansive. To achieve the same look, you’ll want to plant grass in wide, open areas. Make sure that you keep it well fertilized, well trimmed, and well watered (this might not be the best type of garden design if you live in the desert!) If you can’t maintain a green lawn, use gravel to create the same kind of look.
The Details…
As any gardener (or interior decorator) knows, it’s all in the details! Back in the day, many Victorian gardeners used whatever they could to decorate the house and the garden. In order to maintain a true Victorian garden, you will want to strategically place things like bird feeders, water fountains, or a sundial throughout your yard. It’s incredibly fun to move these accessories throughout your yard whenever you see fit and most of them don’t require any care at all!
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