Introducing Heirlooms for the Beginner Gardener

By wildflowers
July 29, 2011

Heirlooms are a perfect choice for the beginner gardener. The seeds of many of these old cultivars have been saved and passed down for generations because of their easy-to-grow habits. They are those wonderful old fashioned flowers that your grandmother grew forever in her garden, or those delicious tasting tomatoes that you might remember eating as a child. But it doesn't stop there; as you begin to consider growing heirlooms, you will discover many unique and interesting flowers, herbs, vegetables and fruits.

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Jul 29, 2011 9:19 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Sherri
Georgia
I enjoyed your article Christine! Your pictures are wonderful. I love an old climbing rose and remember my grandmother and her friends passing along "slips" of plants they received from their own grandmothers. After countless tasteless tomatoes we finally found our perfect one, Cherokee Purple, an heirloom. Sometimes old is definitely better. Thanks for reminding us to look back in time.
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Jul 29, 2011 9:56 AM CST
Name: Christine
North East Texas (Zone 7b)
Shine Your Light!
Heirlooms Native Plants and Wildflowers Organic Gardener Hummingbirder Bee Lover Herbs
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Hi Sherri,

Thank you! Yes, sometimes older is better LOL! And, I'll have to give Cherokee Purple a try!

I remember a neighbor from my childhood that grew climbing roses - sometimes they would trickle over onto our side of the fence Big Grin it was the scent I remember the most. I loved to go smell them. Over the years, when I saw a rose, I'd want to go smell it and all too often, it had no scent. They were pretty to look at but just not the same.
May your life be like a wildflower, growing freely in the beauty and joy of each day --Native American Proverb

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Jul 29, 2011 10:42 AM CST
Name: Linda Cartwright
Del Rio, Texas
Charter ATP Member Birds Plant and/or Seed Trader Region: Texas Roses Ponds
Hummingbirder Garden Art Dog Lover Container Gardener Region: United States of America
I agree with Sherri. Your article is great, as well as your photo's! I did not know the term for Heirlooms either. I just thought they were plants passed down...
A Crafty Cubit
Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today. James Dean

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Jul 29, 2011 11:04 AM CST
Name: Christine
North East Texas (Zone 7b)
Shine Your Light!
Heirlooms Native Plants and Wildflowers Organic Gardener Hummingbirder Bee Lover Herbs
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Linda, thank you!!

I'm so glad you liked it and found some new info too!
May your life be like a wildflower, growing freely in the beauty and joy of each day --Native American Proverb

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Jul 29, 2011 11:05 AM CST
Name: Jamie R
Zone 5b, WI (Zone 5a)
save the rainforest & habitat
Herbs Butterflies I sent a postcard to Randy! Charter ATP Member Native Plants and Wildflowers Region: Wisconsin
Dog Lover Enjoys or suffers cold winters Bulbs Irises Roses Lilies
Loved it Christine! Now tell me...did Johnny Appleseed spread Granny Smith?
Woman on the eastbound train
...........................................Je Suis Désolé.
(also a mule lovin', Charley huggin' girl)
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Jul 29, 2011 11:20 AM CST
Name: Christine
North East Texas (Zone 7b)
Shine Your Light!
Heirlooms Native Plants and Wildflowers Organic Gardener Hummingbirder Bee Lover Herbs
Butterflies Dragonflies Birds Cat Lover Dog Lover Garden Photography
Rolling on the floor laughing

Thank you, Jamie! Glad you liked it. Big Grin

Actually, I think it was a little old lady named Smith, in Australia that first grew the Granny Smith apple. Hilarious!
May your life be like a wildflower, growing freely in the beauty and joy of each day --Native American Proverb

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Jul 29, 2011 11:44 AM CST
Name: Dorothy Mitchell
Somerset, KY

Charter ATP Member
Wonderful article Christine, loaded with information...keep up the good work....would love to see a follow up article in the future.
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Jul 29, 2011 12:17 PM CST
Name: Christine
North East Texas (Zone 7b)
Shine Your Light!
Heirlooms Native Plants and Wildflowers Organic Gardener Hummingbirder Bee Lover Herbs
Butterflies Dragonflies Birds Cat Lover Dog Lover Garden Photography
Oh great, Dorothy!! Thank you for taking the time to stop by and read it.. I surely will write a follow up article!
May your life be like a wildflower, growing freely in the beauty and joy of each day --Native American Proverb

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Jul 29, 2011 5:09 PM CST
Name: Connie
Corpus Christi, TX (Zone 9a)
Charter ATP Member Bromeliad Container Gardener Dog Lover Plumerias Region: Texas
Tropicals Region: United States of America
A great article, Christine--- it was 'sow' interesting, with lots of good information, and pretty photos to go along with it!
Good job!! Rolling my eyes.
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Jul 29, 2011 5:33 PM CST
Name: Christine
North East Texas (Zone 7b)
Shine Your Light!
Heirlooms Native Plants and Wildflowers Organic Gardener Hummingbirder Bee Lover Herbs
Butterflies Dragonflies Birds Cat Lover Dog Lover Garden Photography
Hi Connie!!

I'm so glad to see you!

Thank you for reading the article, I'm glad you found it sow interesting Big Grin

Hope you're staying cool. It's really been hot up here... they say we may get some rain this weekend but only a 20% chance. sigh! I think that tropical storm out in the gulf will go west. but like I always say.... "we have to be careful what we wish for, it may very well come true."
May your life be like a wildflower, growing freely in the beauty and joy of each day --Native American Proverb

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Jul 30, 2011 8:34 PM CST
Name: Sandi
Wyoming (Zone 3b)
Charter ATP Member Garden Art Ponds Dog Lover Cat Lover Container Gardener
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Great article Christine! I now have some ideas on new plants to add, thanks to you! Never thought much about the fragrance aspect, but it is so true! I will be searching for heirloom flowers to be adding, along with the veggies!
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Jul 31, 2011 6:37 AM CST
Name: Christine
North East Texas (Zone 7b)
Shine Your Light!
Heirlooms Native Plants and Wildflowers Organic Gardener Hummingbirder Bee Lover Herbs
Butterflies Dragonflies Birds Cat Lover Dog Lover Garden Photography
Hi Sandi,

What pretty roses in your avatar! I love the color!

And thank you, I'm happy to know I was able to enable you to think of some new plants to add to your garden! HA!

Thank you for stopping by & reading my article. Angel
May your life be like a wildflower, growing freely in the beauty and joy of each day --Native American Proverb

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Aug 1, 2011 5:47 PM CST
Name: Cheryl White
Butler, Texas
Charter ATP Member Cat Lover Seller of Garden Stuff Vegetable Grower Region: United States of America Region: Texas
Hummingbirder Garden Art Farmer Dog Lover Lover of wildlife (Black bear badge)
great article is right Hurray!
makes me want to go out in the garden ..
well maybe not today 108* nothing has lived in my garden this year Sad
check out my new store Metamorphosis Upcycled/Recycled Glass
http://www.facebook.com/Metamo... , http://cubits.org/diycomforthe...
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Aug 1, 2011 6:27 PM CST
Name: Christine
North East Texas (Zone 7b)
Shine Your Light!
Heirlooms Native Plants and Wildflowers Organic Gardener Hummingbirder Bee Lover Herbs
Butterflies Dragonflies Birds Cat Lover Dog Lover Garden Photography
Hi Cheryl,

Thank you, glad you liked the article. It's very hot and dry here too... not much can take it!! But stay inspired!! This too shall pass.... right?! Blinking
May your life be like a wildflower, growing freely in the beauty and joy of each day --Native American Proverb

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Aug 1, 2011 8:00 PM CST
Name: Cheryl White
Butler, Texas
Charter ATP Member Cat Lover Seller of Garden Stuff Vegetable Grower Region: United States of America Region: Texas
Hummingbirder Garden Art Farmer Dog Lover Lover of wildlife (Black bear badge)
We can only hope this winter when it hangs in the 30s or snows . we will have t remember it could be hot again .. Rolling on the floor laughing
check out my new store Metamorphosis Upcycled/Recycled Glass
http://www.facebook.com/Metamo... , http://cubits.org/diycomforthe...
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Aug 2, 2011 9:57 AM CST
Name: Dahlianut
Calgary, AB Zone 3a
NE Alumni
Garden Ideas: Level 2 Charter ATP Member Seed Starter Region: Canadian Irises Daylilies
Lilies Bulbs Garden Art Birds Hummingbirder Region: Northeast US
What a totally fabby article wildflowers Thumbs up Yes pretty please for more articles; maybe some that are plant specific? and the history of some of the heirlooms? Angel
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Aug 2, 2011 11:41 AM CST
Name: Christine
North East Texas (Zone 7b)
Shine Your Light!
Heirlooms Native Plants and Wildflowers Organic Gardener Hummingbirder Bee Lover Herbs
Butterflies Dragonflies Birds Cat Lover Dog Lover Garden Photography
Oh thank you Dahl!! Very good ideas for fun articles Thumbs up I will write more! Big Grin

Cheryl, you are so right... the snow will be here again soon enough! Rolling on the floor laughing
May your life be like a wildflower, growing freely in the beauty and joy of each day --Native American Proverb

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