Hi,

I'm looking for people who would like to discuss popular plants, plantings and landscape techniques for cold climates. So much focus on bungalow landscaping is based in warm climates. My house was built in 1919 and I was lucky enough to talk to the people who lived there, but they were children at the time and their descriptions were more of the "There was a bush here. It had flowers in the spring." kind of information. What are my best resources for zone 3 gardening in a bungalow/craftsman style? I'm not much of a gardener yet, but I'm curious and willing to take this on.

Thanks

Seriously? There isn't a single person in zone 3 who has a craftsman period garden?

MarkHanis321 wrote:Hakgala Botanical Garden is one of the three botanical gardens to be placed in the Bungalow.

Wow, having read all of this person's (I'm convinced this is a spam bot) tortured replies to every thread, this one is the best. Googling "Hakgala" leads to a Wikipedia post, with the initial sentence:

"Hakgala Botanical Garden is one of the three botanical gardens in Sri Lanka. "

Hmmm

-Mike

There is a book about historic gardens in America, and here's the title:Restoring America's Gardens :An Encyclopedia of Heirloom Ornamental Plants by Denise Wiles Adams,Timber Press.
They had it for sale at TJMAXX for $10.00 so I bought it.
Has lots of photos and has sections on shrubs,trees,etc. Also lists plants that were once popular,but are now considered invasive.It is also divided into sections of the country.
Not sure where Zone 3 is, however, there are plants you can use. Lilacs, roses( check out the Antique Rose Emporium website) various bulbs,irises,etc.My grandmother who lived in Milwaukee grew hollyhocks,and a cousin had her photo in the paper standing next to a huge sunflower they grew.
You could check also with your state agricultural department in regards to plants as well.I would think that plants you can grow in New York, and other east coast areas, like New England you can use where you live. Lady Slippers will grow there.Saw some huge wild lady slippers when i went to Cape Cod one summer to visit my sister's inlaws.lilies of the Valley will grow there.You can also check Burpee's and Parks and other seed companies for plants and seeds that wil grow in your ara.

You might want to try the current Sunset Western Garden Book, a catalogue of plants with climate zone information and tips on sun/water/fertilization needs. Your local libary will have it. But the easiest, fun-est way to start is to wander your neighbourhood and espy the plants that interest you, and then ask the owners what they are...