Matthaei Botanical Gardens & Nichols Arboretum at the Univeristy of Michigan

An heirloom plant is an open pollinated cultivated variety (cultivar) that has been grown for many years and is often handed down through families. The commonly accepted cut off date for heirloom plants is 1951, just after World War II when seed companies and growers began widespread use of hybrid seed. The offspring of open pollinated cultivars retain the parent plant’s traits even when the flower is pollinated by natural mechanisms such as birds, insects, and wind. There are many motivations to grow heirloom plants including maintaining genetic diversity, trying formerly well-known varieties, growing rare plants, expanding beyond hybrid varieties, and historic interest.

This season we are testing two varieties of heirloom annuals in the Peony Garden to see how they stand up to drought and wildlife. These varieties have been grown in flower gardens since the 1800s. Modern cultivars of these plants have been bred for characteristics in flower color, form, and height. While modern cultivars are more common in flower gardens today, the historic cultivars were chosen because they reflect the era of the peony cultivars in the Peony Garden. They may have been seen together in flower gardens in centuries past. If these tests go well, expect to see a wider range of varieties next season.

These annuals were chosen for the Peony Garden over other heirloom annuals because they are more resistant to drought, deer, and groundhogs which find most of these plants to be unpalatable or irritating to the mouth.

Ageratum houstonianum – Floss Flower

Ageratum is native in southern Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize. The wild species grows two to three feet high and blooms in shades of blue. Modern varieties of this plant are more compact and bloom in shades of blue, lavender, and white.

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Antirrhinum majus – Snapdragon

Snapdragons are native to Europe, especially the Mediterranean. The wild form has deep red flowers and can get up to three feet tall. Thomas Jefferson noticed this plant in 1776 and made a note to include it in his shrubbery. Modern selections of snapdragons are available in dwarf, intermediate, or tall sizes and in almost every color.

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Centaurea cyanus – Bachelor’s Button

Bachelor’s Button has been popular in America since colonial times and is tolerant of poor, dry soils. It is native in Europe and has naturalized throughout North America. It used to be worn by young men in love. If the flower faded too quickly, it was a sign that the love was not returned.

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Cleome hassleriana – Spider Flower

Cleome is native to South America and has been grown in gardens since the 1800s. It is an easy plant to grow with few pests and a long flowering season. Its striking blooms on long, swaying stalks make it a beautiful addition to any garden.

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Nicotiana sylvestris – Woodland Tobacco

Woodland tobacco is also known as wild tobacco and is native to South America. It has been grown for many years for its interesting coarse form and wonderfully scented flowers.

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Portulaca grandiflora – Moss Rose

Portulaca grandiflora – Moss Rose

This happy little garden plant was introduced around 1827. However, it did not gain much popularity until double flowered forms were developed. It can stand up to the heat and has been grown for over a hundred years in hot, dry areas of the garden. It is native to Argentina, southern Brazil, and Uruguay. It has also been seen growing wild in south Asia. Portulaca requires little care and reseeds itself regularly.

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Salvia coccinea – Scarlett Salvia

Scarlet salvia is native in tropical America and the southern United States. It has been grown in gardens since the middle of the nineteenth century. This bright, heat-tolerant plant attracts butterflies and birds.

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Zinnia elegans – Zinnia

Like portulaca, the zinna began appearing in gardens in the early 1800s but did not become popular until the mid 1800s when double flowered forms became available. These bigger, showier flowers prompted people to plant zinnias in their gardens, although the coarse texture of the plant was still questionable by some. This charming plant is sturdy in the garden makes a good cut flower. It is native to the American Southwest and South America (primarily Mexico).

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