Working outward, in honor now of the grand Victorian tradition of using cannas as bedding plants, I would plant a ring of a short pink flowered canna such as "Tropical Rose". The three foot high, bright green, boldly elegant canna foliage will provide a backdrop for the next ring: short (say twenty eight inch) white dahlias, perhaps a pompon type, but quite definitely white.
The oldest dahlia varieties seem to be lost, and although there are a number extant from the 1920's or so, I think it is permissible to use a newer hybrid here, so I'd just pick an appealing one.
Next would come a densely planted band of nicotiana, this time using the short "Nicki Hybrid Mix" which although modern does stay open all day and blooms in the exact color range we need to tie this garden together: cerise red to white and all the pink shades in between plus the occasional kick of a soft lime green.
On the outer edge of the garden I would use a ring of massed puddles of sweetly scented sweet alyssum, a cheery yet soothing soft white to mark a gentle transition out and away from the garden.
And for the final touch: something to suit your own garden style and echo the hearts and circles within the garden. Perhaps a hand crafted miniature bentwood hoop fence painted bright cherry red or a ring of little wooden hearts on tiny posts or wrought ironwork in a heart motif. Or a circle of step stones etched with cupids or whatever makes it special to you and your Valentine.
Enjoy!
Some On-Line Sources for Heirloom Annuals & Bulbs
- Select Seeds Antique Flowers
- Thomas Jefferson Center for Historic Plants
- Burpee (see both regular and heirloom catalogs)
- Old House Gardens Heirloom Bulbs
- Seeds of Change (certified organic open pollinated seed)
Enjoy more suite101.com articles gathered together for Valentine's Day:
From 1999: Browse all the great articles featured at the special Suite101.com Valentine's Event!
New Cottage Gardening article every week!
ALL COTTAGE GARDENING hereDOZENS MORE SUITE101.COM GARDEN TOPICS here
- Old House Gardens Heirloom Bulbs
Go To Page: 1 2
| Here's the follow-up discussion on this article: | View all related messages |
For a complete listing of article comments, questions, and other discussions related to Barbara M. Martin's Cottage Garden topic, please visit the Discussions page.