Rediscover the charm of vintage flowers
Retro blooms are all the rage again. From pansies and violas, to poppies and primroses, there is a vast array of old-school plants to pop in your patch.
The nostalgic charm of vintage and retro flowering plants has been a recent trend for gardeners looking to inject a punch of colour into their garden during the cooler months. When choosing flowers and colours in the garden, people are often influenced by precious memories of happy times spent in gardens in the past, particularly gardens belonging to loved ones, and this has prompted the recent resurgence of many vintage varieties.
Pansies and violas are versatile flowers, and a delight in the garden, available in many interesting colours, sizes and growth habits.
The humble pansy is considered a garden staple, and when planted along with other later-flowering autumn selections, it can provide that instant punch of colour needed when transitioning from spring and summer flowers. Vintage colour palettes are offered through varieties such as Antique Surprise, Dynamite Pink or Regal Ruffles. These are great for adding softer shades. Otherwise, you can select a classic splash with one of the many single colour varieties available on offer.
When looking for a retro winner, you can’t go past a plant that not only looks beautiful but has a delightful fragrance … Stocks (Matthiola). Stocks come in a range of colours and growth heights. The frilly double flowers are highly desirable by many gardeners, however, many varieties available in garden centres are only likely to produce a certain percentage of doubles.
So, if you’re keen to get that elegant double flower, it’s best to plant a good number of plants to ensure you have an impressive harvest. A top tip is to look for taller-growing varieties like Column Mix or Giant Imperial, and if you would like to ensure your highest percentage of double flowers, a compact variety called Stock Sweetie is a great option.
One of the most impressive and nostalgic flowering plants in Australia, that is also the catalyst for many to pause and remember, is the red poppy. Poppies are a wonderful option for planting in autumn from seed or a seedling, and once established they will begin to produce flowers in early-to-mid-winter. They will reward you with constant blooms of beautiful long-stem flowers that can be enjoyed in the garden or harvested for cut flowers. Varieties such as Iceland Poppy (Oreomecon Nudicaulis) Matilda Pastel provide gardeners with a mix of colours to complement any autumn garden, especially for those interested in a vintage or retro look.
Another winning classic variety is the Fairy Primrose (Primula Malacoides). This classic cottage garden plant has fine delicate clusters of flowers in colours ranging from white to pink to deep red. Primula is best planted in autumn after the last bit of hot weather has passed, and once established, it will begin producing flowers from early-to-mid-winter and will flower all the way through to early spring. It’s a charming addition to any vintage planting.
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Finally, a classic flower that has become an increasingly popular favourite in gardens across our state is the delphinium. With its iconic flower spike in shades of blue, pink, and white, it’s an absolute gem. It is surprisingly simple to grow from a seedling, and if planted in autumn, delphiniums produce a wonderful display of flowers in late winter and can be enjoyed through spring, when it’s time to cut it back to allow for a fresh flush of flowers. For some of the tall-growing varieties, it’s best to stake the flower stems to stop them from snapping off in the wind, that way, they are strong and ready to harvest for cut flowers to brighten up your kitchen benches, dining tables and to gift to friends and loved ones.
There are many stunning options for getting that vintage look in your garden this autumn. I encourage you to think about the nostalgic gardens and flowers from your own past and use them as inspiration, then get down to your local garden centre and check out the vintage selections on offer.
It’s always great to talk to the staff about varieties and combinations, or walk among the seedling benches, pick some plants out, get creative and have a go. Gardening is, after all, about trial an error, your garden is a safe place to make mistakes and learn from them. It’s one of the best things about gardening.
This article first appeared in the Autumn 2025 issue of SALIFE Gardens & Outdoor Living magazine.
