7 Wildly Romantic Plants to Effortlessly Recreate a Wuthering Heights-Inspired Backyard
Ignite some cinematic magic and drama into your backyard with these carefully considered plants
If like me, you have been captivated by the deliciously bold and modern adaption of Emily’s Bronte’s 1847 gothic masterpiece Wuthering Heights, you may have noticed that the flora and fauna in the movie was much more than backdrop.
From the moody yet romantic natural beauty of the Yorkshire Moors to the surreal manicured gardens of Thrushcross Grange Cottage, you might be thinking how can I inject just little bit of this cinematic magic into my own back yard? The good news is you don’t have to have acres of moorland or a grand historic estate to evoke the windswept, haunting beauty of the moors in Wuthering Heights. You need plants, which provide drama, subtle color, and a sense of wildness.
1. Heather
To bring elements of the Yorkshire moorlands into your yard, heather will provide that natural groundcover and pops of beautiful pinks and purples when it flowers.
While the iconic moorlands in Wuthering Heights are depicted as windswept and foreboding, towards the end of the summer months common heather found across this very British landscape bursts into color, creating a carpet of beautiful flowers from whites to pinks and purples, depending on the variety.
With delicate spires of blooms, heather instantly recreates this moorland feel. As well as being low maintenance it's also a great groundcover plant which suppresses weed and provides a brilliant source of nectar for pollinators.
Preferring well drained, acidic soil and full sun to partial shade, heather will also guarantee year round interest. To get started and to bring the natural elements of the Yorkshire moors into your yard, try this Firefly Scotch variety of heather available to buy from Amazon.
Hardiness: USDA zones 4–6.
Nothing says romance or passion more than roses, and even more so when they are climbing and towering around your yard for extra drama.
2. Roses
Nothing says romance and passion more than a good old-fashioned, English scented rose. So given Wuthering Heights is rooted in romance and the power of nature then a rose in your yard, whether along a border intertwined with salvias or climbing up a wall as in Thrushcross Grange Cottage, a rose is a must for your yard.
Your biggest problem will be choosing just one variety as there are so many beautiful varieties to choose from. While one shouldn't have favorites I can not get enough of Gertrude Jekyll available from David Austin, named after the iconic garden designer and horticulture heroine, who was at the heart of 19th century Arts and Crafts Movement.
A beautiful rich pink climbing rose, which thrives in well drained rich soil in the full sun, not only does it have a sensational fragrance, reminiscent of the quintessential Old Rose scent, but it also flowers all summer long.
Hardiness: USDA zones 4–9.
3. Foxgloves
For effortless natural beauty that will add a sense of romantic wilderness, foxgloves, a biennial, which can easily be grown from seed, making them a cost effective plant, should be considered for your planting scheme.
In shades of subtle yet beautiful pastels or brightly colored hues, their towering spires of bell-shaped blooms add instant drama. They also effortlessly self-seed throughout your yard, making them another great low maintenance choice and a favorite for the bees.
Although they are partial to shade they grow well in moist but well-drained soil. Flowering from June through to September absolutely love this apricot colored foxglove available from Walmart which will undoubtedly steal the show in your borders for years to come requiring very little maintenance.
Hardiness: USDA zones 4–9.
4. Ornamental grasses
For naturalistic planting that looks windswept, ornamental grasses will elevate your yard to new heights.
If it's windswept drama you are after then look no further than ornamental grasses that will provide spellbinding architectural interest, movement and texture, not to mention beauty all year round.
From arching blades to feathery plumes and intricate seed heads, which sway evocatively in the wind, there are so many varieties to punctuate borders with drama.
Grasses do tend to prefer full sun and moderate moisture but they are relatively low maintenance and again provide structure and interest throughout the year.
For borders or containers check out this beautiful variety from Walmart, which is called Karl Foerster Feather Grass or for something a little more airy and fantastical this Pink Muhly Grass, also available from Walmart is magical.
Hardiness: USDA zones 5–9.
5. Hawthorn
Hawthorns delicate white blooms and jaggy spikes bring a sense of ethereal magic and wildness to a space.
With its gnarled branches and white spring blossoms, a hawthorn tree or hedge lends itself really well to a yard looking to evoke a sense of wildness and mystery has long been associated the natural landscape.
While in the secret Victorian Language of Flowers, Hawthorn symbolized hope and was used to ward of magic.
Alive with pollinators, Hawthorn's delicate scented white flowers are a magnet for bees in spring and it's deep red berries will attract birds in fall.
Tolerating clay and a wide range of soils, full sun to partial shade, the addition of hawthorn is ideal if you want to captivate a rustic and naturalistic feel to your yard that is also wildlife friendly.
Hardiness: USDA zones 4–8.
6. Lambs ears
Lamb's ear does not only look sensational long the front of borders but it is so tactile and soft to touch.
Lambs ears is one of my must have plants in any yard. It's soft, silvery foliage not only looks sensational, creating a misty and ethereal effect at the front of a border or along a path, but you just won't be able to help yourself from wanting to touch it due to it's beautiful velvety foliage too. I should know as I grow lambs ears along the path leading up to my front door.
Not only does it have so much sensory appeal, it is also low maintenance, makes for excellent ground cover and thrives in full sun and well-drained and even poor soils. To help get you started head to Walmart and start off with buying these small potted lambs ears plants, which will add some sensory luxe to your yard.
Hardiness: USDA zones 4–9.
7. Japanese Anemone
Enchanting and romantic, Japanese Anemones are essential if you want a plant that will effortlessly naturalize and provide movement in your yard.
For striking yet low maintenance displays of flowers, Japanese Anemones also provide elegance and hints of untamed romance in swathes of windswept pink or white flowers.
Floating on tall stems, delicately dancing, they cleverly mimic the windswept movement of the moors, in late summer through to fall, making it another winner for Wuthering Heights fans.
They are also vigorous and will naturalize easily creating wild looking drifts. While for the history fans amongst you they symbolize forsaken love, fragility and mourning, which are at the heart of Catherine and Heathcliff's tragic relationship in Wuthering Heights.
Preferring moist, humus-rich soil and partial shade, my favorite variety 'Honorine Jobert' is available to buy from Amazon. With delicate petals it is theatrically moody and ghostly and is also loved by bees and butterflies while being resistent to deer.
USDA Hardiness Zones 4–8.
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