Commonly planted perennials and annuals include: Delphinium, Aster, Alyssum, Chrysanthemum, Tulip, Pansy, Violet, Lavender, Daylily, Hosta and Yarrow. Fern collecting was popular. The Victorians liked to ornament their gardens with garden props that might include urns, statues, sculptures, gazing balls, birdbaths, sundials, benches, and ornate wrought iron fencing.

Edwardian (1901-10) style of gardening:
Edwardians sought a rural idyll to capture the romance of the countryside within the confines of the growing urban and suburban landscape. It was a period of prosperity and this was reflected in the exuberant gardening styles. Informal planting schemes were mixed with formal, structured landscaping. This included herbaceous borders with drifts of color, a la Gertrude Jekyll, and informal woodland planting schemes using native and exotic plants.

Bedding plants were avoided while pergolas, paths and garden buildings were highly desirable. Gardens would often have formal ponds with sunken gardens. The Arts and Crafts movement had an aversion to mass-produced products and gardens in this style would use locally crafted garden features, ornaments and materials.

The internet has a wealth of information on gardening and the desired types of plants during these time periods. Much would be easily available today - perhaps not the exact variety as the tendency is to produce "new and improved", but definitely in the spirit of...