26 Plants That Made Gardening in the 1960s Unforgettable

The sixties were a time of bold experiment , vivacious colors , and a growing pastime in modern garden design . reflect the era ’s cultural shifts , horticulture embraced both sophistication and simpleness , with plants that bring dramatic visuals and practical benefit to outdoor distance .

From brightly bloom annual to functional eatable gardens , these 26 unforgettable plants defined the gardening vista of the 1960s and left a hold up impact on backyard landscapes everywhere !

Roses

pink wine were the quintessential flower of the 1960s , adored for their beauty and aroma . Their popularity surged with new varieties offering more vivacious colors and disease resistance . These charming blush adorned garden and became symbols of love and peace during the era . Gardeners cherished roses for their versatility , as they could be grown in beds , border , or even climbing over trellises . The introduction of floribunda and hybrid tea roses provided enthusiasts with an array of selection , allowing the creation of stunning flowered displays . experiment with fellow traveler planting further enhance their appeal .

Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas captured the resourcefulness of 1960s gardeners with their big , colorful blooms . Known for their power to change color based on grime pH , they became a entrancing subject for experimentation . These hardy shrubs were favored for their long - lasting flowers and adaptability . Whether ornament the front yard or organize a vibrant hedge , hydrangea brought a sensation of elegance to any garden . Their blooms , ranging from Amytal to pinks , declare oneself eternal possibility for creative landscape gardening . gardener loved the dynamic hues they could achieve with childlike soil amendments .

Tulips

tulip were a springtime staple , offering a volley of color after winter ’s grayness . Gardeners eagerly look their vibrant showing , which signaled the reaching of affectionate conditions . These bulbs , originally from Central Asia , were prized for their variety and ease of growth . tulip allowed nurseryman to experiment with design and color combinations in beds or borders . Their abbreviated but brilliant flush period made them a cherished highlighting of the season . In the 1960s , raw intercrossed variety expanded the usable colour palette , enhancing their allure .

Marigolds

marigold were a common sight in sixties garden , celebrated for their vivacious chromaticity and pest - repelling properties . These hardy annuals were easy to grow and flourished in various conditions . Their upbeat flower added splashes of orange and chickenhearted , creating a warm ambience . marigold were often planted alongside vegetables to deter pests , clear them a pragmatic choice for constitutional gardening . Their low maintenance and long blooming period made them a favorite among busy gardeners . The geological era saw an increasing emphasis on sustainable practices , where marigolds play a crucial part .

Petunias

Petunias were beloved for their vivacious colors and easy maintenance , making them a democratic choice in the 1960s . These yearly graced gardens , window boxes , and hanging baskets with their fertile blooms . They offered an array of color , allowing for originative compounding and prominent displays . Petunias thrived in sunny position , reinforce nurseryman with continuous flowers throughout the growing season . Their adaptability and resilience made them suitable for both novice and experienced gardener . During this era , breeder introduced fresh hybrids with enhanced colors and figure , increase their appeal .

Snapdragons

snapdragon , with their unique flower shapes and panoptic color range , were a favorite in sixties gardens . These improbable , refined flowers added vertical sake and were often used as cut flowers in arrangements . Their power to thrive in cool weather made them perfect for other spring planting . snapdragon cater a playful touch with their firedrake - corresponding blossoms , attract kid and adults likewise . gardener apprize their retentive bloom period and the ability to reseed , ensuring seasons of color . The foundation of young gloss varieties further cemented their popularity during this decade .

Dahlias

Dahlias stood out in 1960s garden for their spectacular blooms and diverseness of forms . These tuberous plants , native to Mexico , offered an extensive range of colors and sizes . gardener admired dahlias for their dramatic impingement , using them as focal points in borders and bed . Their intricate petal arranging and vibrant hues drew admiration and provided endless options for originative landscaping . Dahlias required specific care , including post and hoar protection , but their stunning displays were deserving the exertion . The decade check a rising slope in dahlia societies , think over their growing popularity .

Geraniums

geranium were a staple in 1960s garden , known for their coloured prime and robust nature . These versatile plants prosper in container , beds , and borders , bringing cheerfulness to any space . Gardeners appreciate geraniums for their farsighted blooming geological period and ability to stand firm heat and juiceless conditions . Their distinguishable foliage added grain , complementing their vibrant flowers . Ideal for beginner gardener , geraniums required minimum alimony , bring in them a popular choice for in use family . The epoch saw the rise of new geranium cross , bid even more colour options and enhancing their appeal .

Fuchsias

Fuchsias enchanted sixties gardeners with their delicate , pendulous blooms that resemble ballerina . These shade - loving plant were everlasting for hang field goal and container gardens , adding elegance to shaded arena . Gardeners take account the unique color combination , which ranged from deep purples to vibrant pinks . Fuchsias call for thrifty attention to watering and feeding , rewarding dedicated growers with continuous flowers . Their elegant blooms made them a popular choice for attracting hummingbirds , adding a lively component to gardens . The era ’s horticultural procession introduced hardier diversity , expanding their polish .

Zinnias

Zinnias , with their sheer , pollyannaish blooms , were a favorite among sixties gardeners . These annual offered a spectrum of color , have them ideal for shining , sunny garden spots . Known for their comfort of growth , zinnias were perfect for beginners and allow for months of color . They expand in live conditions , attracting butterflies and adding life to gardens . Zinnias were often used in cut gardens , offer vibrant flower for indoor arrangements . The introduction of new midget and jumbo salmagundi during this decade expanded their popularity , allowing for diverse landscaping applications .

Lilies

lily fetch a touch of elegance and fragrance to sixties gardens . These recurrent bulbs , have it away for their courtly heyday , graced moulding and beds with their presence . Gardeners treasured lilies for their compass of colouration and the lovely scent they imparted . Their tall , refined angry walk made them idealistic for adding vertical interest to plantings . While lily required specific growing conditions , their breathtaking heyday justify the try . The decade saw an increase in hybrid varieties , offering improve disease resistance and new colour combinations , enhance their oomph .

Sunflowers

helianthus were a symbolisation of joy and vitality in sixties garden . Their loom presence and bright yellow blooms made them a focal stop in vegetable patches and efflorescence bed . Sunflowers were adored for their ability to attract birds and allow seed for wildlife . They symbolized optimism and were often used in teaching children about plant growth . Easy to turn and observe , sunflowers were a staple in educational gardens across the nation . The era embrace sunflowers for their upbeat coming into court and the mother wit of wonder they cheer in both young and erstwhile .

Begonias

Begonias charmed gardeners in the 1960s with their dazzling regalia of leaf shapes and colour . These various plants thrived both indoors and in shaded garden spots . bang for their power to brighten shaded areas , begonia offered vibrant flowers and cosmetic foliage . Gardeners apprise their abject maintenance necessary , making them ideal for busy lifestyles . Begonias were often used in windowpane boxes and hanging baskets , adding spell to patio and balconies . The decade saw a rise in fresh mixture , with breeder focusing on improved blossom size of it and disease resistance .

Pansies

Pansies were a beloved option for 1960s gardener , known for their pollyannaish ‘ look ’ and wide range of colour . These hardy annuals bring color to garden even in cooler months . Their compact size of it made them consummate for border and container plantings . Gardeners privilege pansies for their power to flower through early spring into summer , providing lasting displays . Their capricious appearing added a playful contact to garden compositions . In the sixties , nance were also used for edible decoration , adding a cosmetic flair to culinary creations . Their versatility and charm made them garden favorites .

Chrysanthemums

Chrysanthemums , often just called florist’s chrysanthemum , were a staple in 1960s gardens . evaluate for their late - time of year blooms , they provide colouration long after other flowers had faded . gardener appreciated their variety in manikin and color , from daisy - like flush to intricate wanderer types . Mums were ideal for twilight plantings , offering vibrant displays in beds and moulding . Their hardy nature made them suitable for various climates , and they thrived with minimum aid . The era celebrated chrysanthemums for their function in extending the gardening season , providing beauty until the first frosts .

Peonies

Peonies graced 1960s garden with their luxurious blooms and delightful fragrance . These perennial were cherished for their length of service and ability to thrive in the same post for decade . Gardeners admired peonies for their large , full efflorescence and the elegance they brought to spring displays . While peonies required patience to prove , their stunning blooms made them a worthwhile investment . They were often featured in spousal bouquets and floral arrangements , add a touch of romance . The decade control an hold for these dateless garden classics , celebrating their enduring collection .

Hostas

Hostas became a popular choice in sixties gardens for their attractive foliage and adaptability to shade . These perennial plants , known for their large , luxuriant parting , tot up texture and color to shaded areas . Gardeners value genus Hosta for their depleted sustenance and power to thrive in difficult spots . Their foliage ranged from deep Green River to variegated formula , offering visual interest even without peak . Hosta were often used to create layered planting , provide depth to garden designs . During this epoch , newfangled varieties expanded the mountain range of colors and leaf shapes available .

Ivy

Ivy was a symbolization of timeless elegance in sixties garden , often seen climbing walls and trellises . This vigorous climber added a skin senses of greenery to vertical space , enhancing the charm of outdoor living areas . nurseryman appreciate English ivy for its power to provide quick reportage and its evergreen nature . While it need unconstipated pruning to control emergence , its versatility in figure made it a pop option . English ivy was used to create shaded retreat and as a background for flowering plants . The geological era celebrated English ivy for its classic appeal and the sensory faculty of tranquility it brought to spaces .

Lavender

Lavender was a cherished improver to 1960s garden , known for its soothing fragrance and versatile uses . This repeated herb thrived in sunny , well - drain spots , offering both beauty and utility . Gardeners value lavender for its aromatic blooms and the calming ambiance it created . Its flowers were used in sachet and pastiche , sum a touch of sumptuousness to household . Lavender ’s ability to attract pollinators made it a worthful asset in wildlife - friendly garden . The geological era fancy an increased interestingness in herb , with lavender being embraced for its three-fold purpose in esthetics and practical coating .

Irises

sword lily abide out in sixties garden for their classifiable blooms and striking leaf . These perennial plant , named after the Grecian goddess of the rainbow , were fete for their all-embracing range of colors and intricate flower variant . gardener appreciate sword lily for their ability to thrive in various conditions , from loaded boggy areas to dry garden beds . Their blade - like leaves added social system even when not in bloom . Irises were often used in mixed border , bringing a mite of elegance and drama . The decade saw a resurgence in their popularity , with novel hybrids extend their colour pallet .

Foxgloves

Foxgloves brought a sense of magic to 1960s gardens with their loom spikes of bell - shaped flowers . These biennial thrived in fond tint , adding height and pursuit to plantings . gardener admired the intricate patterns within their bloom , which attracted bee and butterfly . Foxgloves were often used in cottage garden , where their realistic appearing complemented loose designs . While all parts of the plant are toxic , their enchanting presence was deserving the caveat . The 1960s saw an appreciation for their wild stunner and the wildlife they supported .

Hollyhocks

Hollyhocks were a nostalgic favorite in sixties gardens , renowned for their towering stem turn and colorful blooms . These biennial impart a sense of pinnacle and grandeur to garden borders and fences . gardener loved hollyhocks for their erstwhile - fashioned charm , reminiscent of cottage gardens . While they required support and trade protection from rust fungus disease , their stunning vertical presentation were rewarding . hollyhock attracted pollinators , making them valuable for wildlife - friendly garden . The decade embraced their timeless appeal , celebrating them as a connection to traditional horticulture practices .

Hostas were a raw material in 1960s shaded gardens , revalue for their lavish foliage and relaxation of ontogenesis . These perennial thrived in difficult position where other plants struggled . nurseryman valued hostas for their range of folio shapes and colors , from deep greens to vary patterns . Their power to fill gaps and make grain made them all important in layered plantings . The era saw the presentation of new smorgasbord , pop the question more diversity in size and colouring . Funka were cherish for their low care and ability to ply cool off greenery in summertime garden .

Ferns

Ferns brought a touch of prehistorical elegance to 1960s garden with their intricate fronds . These shade - loving perennial boom in cool , damp conditions , sum up texture and depth to plantings . gardener prize fern for their ability to occupy shaded corners and make a serene atmosphere . Their finespun foliage contrasted attractively with other plants , offer optical interest without flowers . Ferns were often used as a backdrop for colorful blooming , enhance garden constitution . The decade saw a growing interest in naturalistic planting trend , where fern played a essential purpose .

Violets

violet were a magical addition to 1960s garden , treasure for their angelical fragrance and dainty blooms . These perennials thrived in shaded areas , providing former spring color and primer cover . Gardeners valued violet for their power to naturalize , spreading softly and adding a carpet of color . Their peak were often used in culinary applications , add a flowered note to salads and desserts . Violets were also prized for their historical affiliation , linking modern garden with the past . The era embraced them for their simplicity and the old - world charm they brought to gardens .

Orchids

Orchids fascinate the captivation of 1960s gardener with their alien blooms and intriguing forms . These tropical plants were seen as symbols of worldliness and luxury , often acquire indoors . Gardeners look up to orchidaceous plant for their divers flower shapes and colors , which tot up an alien touch to interiors . While they ask specific care , including humidity and light conditions , their unique beauty made them a worthwhile challenge . The era saw an increased interest in houseplant , with orchidaceous plant at the forefront of this trend . Their captivating presence bring a sensation of adventure and elegance to home environments .

26 Plants That Made Gardening in the 1960s Unforgettable