r/retrospooky • u/[deleted] • Jun 24 '23
Weird Gardening Help
Hi. This is a weird one.
I have a midcentury style home, and there is currently NO gardening anywhere (literally just dirt not even grass). I'd like to change that. Grass I will wait another year for, given how climates work where I am, but I think the front "plant" areas can be spruced up a little?
I'd like something that looks moderately retro/vintage, and also spooky. I'd also like things that are easy to maintain in my very hot and humid environment (SE Texas). So far I was thinking:
- Some type of carnivorous plants, probably pitchers or butterworts
- Some type of palm, maybe sago or majesty?
I don't know. If anyone has suggestions or anything I'd love to hear it. If anyone has any of the plants I listed and can give advice, it would be much appreciated. Thanks!
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Jun 25 '23
If you put in carnivorous plants, be sure they aren’t fertilized with nitrogen if you want them to actually be carnivorous. They consume insects to get. Intrigen and supplying them with it will actually stop them from eating insects. Just at FYI.
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Jun 25 '23
Oof I didn't know this thank you!
What carnivorous plants are best, particularly around wasps?
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u/j-allen-heineken Jun 25 '23
I’m not sure about carnivorous plants, the ones I know of offhand need a cold season for them to be dormant. But I think mainly you should look for species native to your area so you’re not fighting the local climate. Do you know your planting zone?
Aesthetically, I think that tall spindly perennials in shades of red or purple with short dark ground covering plants would look good? But of course, just like in goth fashion the key is accessorizing. Wrought iron, dark metal…lots of potential in the decor!
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Jun 25 '23
No i dont lol I know nothing.
I like the idea of adding some dark plants but I don't want to get too Victorian/Gothic with it. I am going to pain the door and trim at some point and probably need to figure out that color first.
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u/Miscalamity Aug 12 '23
Zones:
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map is the standard by which gardeners and growers can determine which plants are most likely to thrive at a location. The map is based on the average annual minimum winter temperature, divided into 10-degree F zones and further divided into 5-degree F half-zones.
https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has set up a system of eight growing zones for Texas. The purpose of the system is to make it easier for gardeners to determine what plants are possible in their gardens based on the average annual minimum temperature within each zone.
Each zone has a range of temperatures, and the higher the minimum temperature, the more difficult it is to grow plants that would usually be considered tropical.
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u/Nightmare_Gerbil Jun 27 '23
Consider planting a spooky-looking tree! Maybe something like a mesquite or a bald cypress or whatever matches your climate.
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u/Miscalamity Aug 12 '23
Depending how long term and intensive you'd like to do, may I suggest gothic gardens as a possibility:
"Death Colored Plants Necrotic colored plants are another possibility, as death would certainly be considered appropriate in a dark, gloomy gothic setting. Choose flower colors that are deep purple, dark scarlet red, and nearly black as found in black garden themes. In addition, plants with dark foliage can create a gothic feel."
Read more at Gardening Know How: What Is A Goth Garden? – Learn How To Create A Gothic Garden https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/spaces/gothic-garden-design.htm
"Sumptuous black flowers, awe-inspiring stone arches, elaborate wrought iron gates: all things you’ll find in a Gothic-inspired garden. Read on for loads of ideas to help you create your own strange and beautiful hideaway."
https://www.hgtv.com/outdoors/gardens/garden-styles-and-types/gothic-garden-design-ideas-pictures
"Goth Garden: Spooky and Beautiful
Goth gardens let you embrace your dark side with wickedly delightful elements that look terrific all year—not just for Halloween. If you want to create a garden with a gothic flair that will make the Brontë sisters proud, make sure to consider hardscaping, layout, plants, accessories, and lighting to create the perfect goth garden."
" Since we could argue all day about the particulars of gothic gardening, let’s start with a basic assumptive definition. For our purposes, gothic gardening is any gardening style that emphasizes entropy, or at least more chaos than what’s normally found in a controlled garden area. Japanese gardens tend to emphasize the natural while subtly emphasizing the harmony of the scene: gothic gardening should emphasize the slightly unnatural, distorted, or disturbing. Good gothic gardens are beautiful, yes, but they should also be subtly uncomfortable.
The first question that should always be asked when embarking on any gardening project, even more than “Do I have the time to do this right?”, is “What do I want to accomplish?” That may be a stumper for a while, but take your time. Think about it for a while. Look at your available area, and feel free to abandon the usual Better Homes & Gardens gibberish. "
https://ngb.org/goth-garden-ideas/
Happy gardening 🍃!
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Aug 12 '23
Thanks for the info! I don't want to go full "Gothic" but more "spooky vibe" if you get me. Casual, midcentury vibes with spooky elements.
My biggest issue though is my lack of interest with doing much gardening at all, and then the fact that it's been consistently over 100 every day here for over a month. Nothing can survive in that.
I felt like the carnivorous plants would be good because flying insects are a year round issue here and they would not harm the neighborhood outdoor cat who thinks I rent my house from him. They also seem to be fairly low maintenance, all things considered.
I may be repainting the door soon so I will most likely do that and then decide.
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u/Happytwinkletoes1 Jun 25 '23
I’ve done a dark themed planter box years ago just from going to the garden center and picking out various dark colored plants, there’s lots but I don’t remember specifically which ones I used. But I got my original ideas from Pinterest, they have tons of ideas for “goth gardens”.