How My Garden Grows
All things relating to Victorian era gardening including the meanings and symbolism of flowers, growing heirloom roses and other plants, window box and cottage gardens, indoor gardening tips and crafts, featuring vintage botanical illustrations from my collection.
Blooming Flowering Shrubs and Trees Indoors
A “green” alternative to decorating with artificial flowers is described in this brief article, original published in The Ladies’ World, March 1896. It certainly sounds possible, although I have not attempted this for the simple fact that my cats won’t let me. But if you have good results with this, let me know. I think [...]
Ideas for Window Box Garden Arrangements
Although this diy article on window gardening is over 100 years old, the advice still holds value to anyone who would have a traditional Victorian style window garden. Originally published in the May 4th, 1895 issue of Home Chat magazine, a digest-sized publication that would have set you back a penny. But for you, it’s [...]
Flowers, Meanings and Symbols
The Victorians spoke the language of flowers, as they were instructed in the various popular publications of the day. One such book, The Language of Flowers, which expressed the meanings and symbols of flowers so eloquently, was published in 1846. Below you’ll find an excerpt from this poetical resource of flower symbolism. The author, known [...]
What Do Flowers Mean? Victorian Floral Symbolism
We often think of flowers for Valentine’s Day, but instead of relying on your local florist to choose an arrangement, why not try your hand at the Victorian art of sending secret messages via flowers? Flower Sentiments from the Victorian Era. Acacia, Yellow = Concealed Love Acanthus = Art Almond = Heedlessness Amaranth = Immortality [...]
DIY Victorian Window Flower Box Planter
Here is a terrific idea for a DIY Victorian window box flower planter from an authentic Victorian source. A Window Flower-Box From The Cottage Hearth, 1876 Given fresh mosses or leaves, a few trailing creepers and two or three spikes of flowers, and the effect will be charming in a window box made after any [...]
