The lure of nostalgia and romance in the garden

Home gardeners are returning to flowers and shrubs that offer timeless appeal. But new breeding is making traditional garden favorites — such as roses, hydrangeas, peonies, lilacs and other blooming shrubs — updated and even better.

All photos courtesy of Monrovia

A recent survey conducted by Monrovia found that nearly 30% of homeowners say gardening makes them feel nostalgic. For the most ambitious gardeners, who spend the most time gardening, that number jumps to 46% of respondents saying they strongly agree with the statement “Gardening makes me feel nostalgic, reminds me of a simpler time with family.”

Every year, Monrovia asks 1400 homeowners across the U.S. about their gardening interests and plant purchasing habits. That data is combined with monthly mobile studies to track continuing and emerging trends.

“The return to these classic plants is part of the larger trend we’re calling the Garden of Nostalgia and Romance,” says Katie Tamony, chief marketing officer and trend spotter at Monrovia. “The connection to the past is merging with the need for attractive, low-maintenance elegance. Think big, beautiful blooms, softer colors, and a return to romance in the garden. Modern varieties of these traditional plants are easier to grow and provide more blooms than shrubs of the past.”

Here are a few of Monrovia's nostalgic and romantic plants:

New reblooming hydrangeas bring more and longer-lasting blooms to the landscape. Seaside Serenade Kitty Hawk Hydrangea features star-shaped flowers that emerge a lime green and transition to a soft pink. Modern roses add fragrance to the garden with enhanced disease resistance that make them easy to grow.

Heavenly Ascent Pink Climbing Rose brings a classic romantic look to the landscape. This smaller climber features fragrant, creamy-pink blooms and reaches 8 feet tall. This continuous blooming rose is a must-have for gardeners who are drawn to the nostalgia and romance design trend.

Bridal Veil Agapanthus packs lots of bright, beautiful blooms in a compact habit. The billowy white flowers cover strong stems that reach only about a foot high. A perennial in Zones 7-11, it can be grown as an annual in cooler climates.

Coco Chill Weigela is compact and colorful with dark, dramatic foliage that brings a modern touch to this classic shrub. Coco Chill’s bright pink blooms provide a lovely contrast from spring through summer. This weigela is hardy and perfect for adding a touch of nostalgia to a garden.

Recent breeding work has improved lilacs, offering varieties that flower more than once and stay more compact in the garden. Little Darling Lilac, a Monrovia exclusive, offers double the blooming power with classic lilac-colored, fragrant flowers in the spring and then again in the fall.

Peony may be one of the most beloved varieties in a garden of nostalgia and romance. Modern breeding is making these traditional shrubs even more cherished with stronger stems, compact habits and more plentiful blooms. Garden Candy Candy Apple Itoh Peony features vibrant, color-saturated magenta blooms that stand out in the spring garden.

The Itsy Bitsy Peach Miniature Rose has abundant blooms that range in color from soft peach to orange yellow. Itsy Bitsy stays compact, reaching only 18 to 24 inches tall.

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