Gardening trends often focus on popular flowers, but many beautiful and charming blooms have been overlooked over time. These forgotten flowers can add unique textures, colors, and a touch of nostalgia to your garden.
Exploring them gives you a chance to create a garden that stands out and feels personal.
Hosta
Hostas are quiet heroes for shady spots in your garden. They come in many shapes and colors, adding texture and calm.
You might overlook them, but they’re tough and adapt well. Their leaves can range from deep green to blue, even variegated, giving you options. They’re low-maintenance and brighten up areas where many flowers struggle.
Astilbe
If you want a flower that brightens shady spots, astilbe is a great choice. You’ll enjoy its feathery plumes in shades of pink, red, white, or lavender.
They bloom once each summer, then you simply cut off the spent flowers. The attractive foliage stays lush until the next season. Astilbes come back every year without replanting, making them low-maintenance and deer-resistant.
Nicotiana
You might not have Nicotiana in your garden yet, but it’s worth a spot. These plants can grow tall, often over four feet, and are covered in charming, tubular flowers.
If you cut them back in the fall, many varieties come back the next spring, acting like perennials. You’ll enjoy their sweet fragrance, especially in the evening.
Cosmos
If you’ve noticed your cosmos getting tall but not flowering yet, don’t worry. They sometimes focus on growing taller before blooming.
You can pinch back the tips to encourage bushier growth and more flowers. Cosmos are easy to grow and add light, delicate color to your garden.
Dwarf Cinquefoil
If you’re looking for a delicate flower with charm, dwarf cinquefoil is a great choice. It’s a small perennial that grows low to the ground with bright yellow, buttercup-like flowers.
This plant is native to specific mountain areas and can add a unique touch to rock gardens or small spaces in your yard. It’s tough but beautiful.
Creeping Phlox
If you want a low-maintenance ground cover that adds color, creeping phlox is a great choice. It spreads nicely, filling gaps with vibrant flowers in spring.
Make sure your creeping phlox gets enough sunlight and isn’t overcrowded. Sometimes, poor blooming happens if it’s planted in the wrong spot or lacks nutrients. Once established, you’ll enjoy a carpet of flowers that brighten your garden year after year.
Carolina Allspice
If you want a fragrant shrub, Carolina Allspice is a great choice. You’ll notice its unique flowers have a sweet, spicy scent that many people enjoy.
This plant is tough and fits in well with most gardens. Its leaves and bark also give off a pleasant aroma, adding extra charm to your outdoor space.
Burning Bush
You might remember Burning Bush for its vibrant red leaves in fall. It adds a bold splash of color to any garden during early to mid-autumn.
While it is beautiful, be aware it can spread aggressively if not managed. With some care, you can enjoy its bright foliage without issues.
False Indigo (Baptisia)
You’ll find False Indigo is a reliable, low-maintenance perennial for your garden. It offers beautiful blue, purple, yellow, or white flowers depending on the species.
This plant is hardy and pest-resistant, making it great for busy gardeners. Its interesting seedpods add visual interest long after the blooms fade.
Lily of the Valley
You might remember lily of the valley as a delicate flower with tiny, bell-shaped blooms. It’s tough too, able to handle cold weather down to -20°C.
If you grow in zones two through nine, this flower will come back year after year in your garden. Its sweet scent is loved by many, making it a subtle but charming addition.