Sorting through Edwardian garden resources, I fell upon this amazing garden design created by that era’s renowned gardener, Gertrude Jekyll. Jekyll applied the artistic principles she learned as an art student to garden color theory. Her 1908 Colour Schemes of the Flower Garden is considered one of the most influential gardening books of the 20th century. In it, she shared some of her border gardens from her home at Munstead Wood. 

This design features a beautiful color flow with hot colors softening into cooler blues and finally a spray of white flowers. And I was pleased to discover that all of the flowers in her original design are available in some variety today. Wouldn’t it be a fascinating endeavor to recreate this Jekyll design? Those of you with sunny space might want to give it a try!

Bel Istoria’s Favorite Old Fashioned Perennials

SUN PERENNIALS

Delphinium
Foxglove
Geranium
Hollyhock
Hydrangea
Lavender
Peony
Phlox
Wisteria
Rose (Abraham Darby)
Rose (Tess of the D’urbervilles)

SHADE PERENNIALS

Astilbe
Bleeding Heart
Caladium
Clematis
Coral Bells
Helleborus
Lady’s Mantle
Lilly of the Valley
Lobelia
Rose (Gruss an Aachen)
Trillium
White Feather Hosta

Good reads on Gertrude Jekyll and her Gardens…