The third and final Downton Abbey film may be upon us, but that doesn’t mean we have to say goodbye to the world of Lady Mary, Lord Grantham, Mr Carson, Barrow, and the rest. In fact, you can keep a little slice of Downton alive in your own backyard, simply by planting the same kinds of old-fashioned flowers and plants that flourish in the estate’s very own and oh-so-romantic garden.
Fans of the series will likely already know that the opulent period drama has always been filmed at Highclere Castle in the UK. And those iconic grounds? Well, they’ve become as much a star of the series as the Crawley family themselves, thanks to all the tea parties and cricket matches and love declarations they’ve hosted over the years.
So, if you fancy adding a touch of elegance to (or just want to sip tea among blooms worthy of the Dowager Countess), we’re here to help you get the Downton Abbey garden of your dreams. Although, sadly, we can’t promise a fleet of servants to help you with the hard work…
Downton Abbey-Inspired Plants to Add in Fall
Now, we know what you’re thinking; you need lots of space (and money) to create the Downton Abbey garden of your dreams. Wrong!
That's right; with a little clever planting, you can transform even a small garden space – the kind owned by an Anna or a Daisy, say, rather than a Lady Grantham – into one worthy of a spotlight in a sumptuous period drama.
With that in mind, then, here’s what to plant now to create your own Downton Abbey garden (and the plants to order in for spring, too).
1. Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla) are one of Highclere’s signature border plants, and fall is one of the best times to get them in the ground – especially if you live in USDA hardiness zones 3-9.
The cooler soil should help the roots establish before winter sets in, so tuck a couple into semi-shaded spots, where you can enjoy those frothy blooms next summer. And with far less watering than if you planted them in springtime, too!
Save some money (hey, we don’t all have the Grantham fortune to dip into) and try something like Walmart’s Strawberry Sundae Hydrangea Bush Potted Deciduous Flowering Shrub; its romantic pastel pink and white petals are perfect for this project.
2. White Roses
The White Border at Highclere wouldn’t be complete without its stunning roses (Rosa spp.), and luckily, container-grown roses can be planted in early fall if your Downton Abbey garden is in zones 4-9.
Try adding a pair of fragrant whites – like Walmart's Heirloom Roses White Rose Bush Live Plants, for example – near a bench to create a spot for tea worthy of the late, great, and incredibly acid-tongued Lady Violet Crawley herself.
If you’re working with bare root roses, though, take care to save the planting for late winter or early spring.
3. Penstemons
In the Monk’s Garden at Highclere, climbing roses scramble over old walls while penstemons (Penstemon spp.) brighten the base. These native Northwest perennials are surprisingly hardy, working well in zones 3-9, and early fall planting gives them a head start for next year’s bloom.
If you want that real Downton Abbey garden effect, plant something like Amazon's Rocky Mountain Penstemon Seeds in pots by a patio or terrace, where their jewel-toned flowers will shine next summer.
4. Foxgloves
No Edwardian garden worth its salt would have been complete without foxgloves (Digitalis purpurea), their spires rising like candle flames from the borders. Your Downton Abbey garden should be no different.
Fall planting in zones 4-9 lets them settle in before bursting into bloom next year. Try slotting yours among perennials for that romantic, slightly wild look Highclere does so well.
Choose a colour that suits your own garden best. Personally, we love the peachy pastels of the Direct Gardening Dalmation Peach Foxglove Flowering Perennial Starter Plant at Walmart, though.
5. Hollyhocks
Tall, architectural, and thoroughly nostalgic, hollyhocks (Alcea rosea) give any garden that stately-home feel – even if they're a quintessential part of any cottage garden.
Fall is the perfect time to get young plants into the soil if you’re in zones 3–8, as it means they can put on their best show next summer. For true Downton glamour, pop yours near a sunny wall, where they can tower gracefully.
Alternatively, you can plant hollyhock seeds (like these from Walmart) in early spring, when the soil has warmed up a little.
6. Delphiniums
Delphiniums (Delphinium spp.) are dramatic and demanding, but worth the effort if you’re in zones 3–7. Early fall planting works in cooler climates, and we recommend placing yours in a border alongside catmint and sweet William for a layered, Edwardian look.
Try the Blue Lace Delphinium from Nature Hills if you want towering sky blue double blossoms bold enough to make Carson clutch his metaphorical pearls.
7. Lavender
Highclere has a healing herb patch, making lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) a genuine must for any Downton Abbey garden.
Fall planting in well-drained soil ensures fragrant mounds by summer. And, if you can, try using it to edge a path, as it will reward you with a sensory treat whenever you brush past.
If time is of the essence, you can grab two Clovers Garden French Lavender Herb Plants from Amazon for a delivery far speedier than one from Mrs Wigan's Post Office at the village of Downton.
8. Thyme
Another herb that feels both practical and ornamental, thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is a reliable fall planter for zones 5-9.
Try slotting something like Walmart's Well-Rooted Thyme Starter Plant between paving stones so it releases fragrance underfoot – a tiny Downton Abbey garden-style flourish for even the most modest plot.
Plants to Save for Spring
Of course, it's easy to want to start (and finish) your Downton Abbey garden all in one go. As is so often the case with life and gardening, however, patience is a virtue.
With that credo ringing in our ears, then, the following plants are best to order in for spring if you want them to thrive in your own backyard...
1. Ornamental Pear Trees
Espaliered ornamental pears (Pyrus calleryana) soften Highclere’s walls beautifully, but in the USA – and particularly in zones 5-9, it’s best to hold off until spring planting to avoid frost damage to young roots.
Alternatively, try an edible fruit tree, like the Red Bartlett Pear Tree (Pyrus 'Red Bartlett') from Nature Hills. You'll need a sunny spot to make it work, but container-grown plants can be successfully transferred to the soil at any time of year.
2. Yew Topiary
While we’d all love to clip cones and balls like the Highclere gardeners, fall planting yew (Taxus baccata) can be risky where winters bite hard. For true Downton Abbey garden-inspired elegance, then, spring will be the time to start shaping.
3. Wildflowers
Highclere’s Capability Brown landscapes look timeless with wildflowers, but in most regions, meadow seeds (think oxeye daisy, cornflower, and poppy) take best when sown in spring – or late fall for natural stratification.
Try scattering a packet of Walmart's Package of 100,000 Wildflower Seeds once the frosts are past for an easy pop of Downton magic.
4. Peach Trees
The Peach House at Highclere’s real-life Downton Abbey garden is a dreamy glass construction filled with fruits and frothing fragrant roses, but most peach trees (Prunus persica) prefer going into the ground in spring unless you’re in a very mild zone.
Honestly, if you don’t have a greenhouse, it’s better to wait – no point in losing such a beauty to frost. We love the Golden Jubilee Peach Tree from Nature Hills for its abundance of pretty fruit.
And just like that, you’ve done it. Sure, your Downton Abbey garden may not come with footmen or tea trays (sigh), but planting even a handful of Highclere-inspired favourites will add instant Edwardian charm. Remember: fall is all about roses, hydrangeas, and lavender, while the peaches and yews will just have to wait for warmer days.
If nothing else, every time you step outside, picture Lady Mary sweeping past the borders in a perfectly tailored gown. Or, you know, cue up the theme tune on your phone and let the drama play out in your own backyard…
