50's and earlier landscaping

[PrettySquareGal]

Does anyone have pictures of their own vintage landscaping?

 

[Paisley]

No pictures, but I think the 50s were the start of the chemical age of gardening. Long before that, plants that needed a lot of coddling didn't survive in typical landscapes. I think it was during the 50s that a lot of tender, finicky roses came along (and they're still coming) that gave the whole species its high maintenance reputation.

Along the alleys in the old parts of Denver, there are lilacs, old garden roses, daylilies, Queen Anne's lace, penstemon and larkspur. Some other old time favorites are hollyhocks, sweet peas, petunias, irises--all terrific plants.

If you live in zone 5, now is the time to plant sweet pea seeds and order bare root plants. My favorite old garden rose is Rose de Rescht: it's a beautiful plant with dark pink, fragrant blooms.

 

[J. M. Stovall]

I've always noticed that in many photos of people in their yards in the 50's there is usually not much going on. Lots of grass right up to the house and some shrubs.

 

[Lincsong]

Out here in California during the 1950's the Oriental Garden was the chic landscaping for homes. What was it back east?

 

[Paisley]

I've always noticed that in many photos of people in their yards in the 50's there is usually not much going on. Lots of grass right up to the house and some shrubs.

My parents live in a house built in 1959. Most of the houses around them have those big, shrubby junipers next to the house and the rest is lawn.

 

[PrettySquareGal]

Out here in California during the 1950's the Oriental Garden was the chic landscaping for homes. What was it back east?

I honestly don't know! I'll have to do some research.

 

[PrettySquareGal]

My parents live in a house built in 1959. Most of the houses around them have those big, shrubby junipers next to the house and the rest is lawn.

My grandmother's house was like that.

 

[MPicciotto]

No pics right now but does anybody know when those decorative concrete squares about 1foot x 1foot came about? My in-laws had them for (rather tall) edging around their front bed. Do you know the type I'm talking about? They are "open" not solid about four inches thick with a simple pattern, each block is the same. Used for dividing walls sometimes.

Matt

 

[goldwyn girl]

I can't say for sure but here in Vegas they are found in the 1950's and 60's neighbourhoods like this.

I love them myself.

 

[MPicciotto]

Thats it! Well that design is much fancier, these are like a cross between a flower and and a Swiss Cross. But that's the idea.

Matt

 

[JimInSoCalif]

I think a great many of those used for dividing walls in this area fell down in the 1994 earthquake.