Single Bloom People, Double Bloom People
Recently I had an exchange with Christina of Creating my own garden of the Hesperides about the possibility of all people being divisible into two types: those who prefer single blooms and those who prefer double blooms.
Single blooms, we both agreed, were best. For me, single blooms are appealingly simple and unadulterated. Double blooms tend to be excessively … busy, in a way that is distracting. Single blooms are like a slice of apple pie, double blooms are like those foams they serve at avant garde restaurants.
And people who prefer single blooms tend to be wise, honest, and compassionate. I’m not claiming to have all those qualities myself, I am merely laying out the facts.
A new study by Harvard University researchers, which I am fabricating as I write, divides prominent historical and contemporary figures based on their stated preference for single versus double blooms. The study’s findings may surprise you!
People of the Past and Present Who Prefer Single Blooms
People of the Past and Present Who Prefer Double Blooms
Where do you stand on the single bloom/double bloom divide? Do you feel lovers of double blooms have been slandered? And no sidestepping the question by claiming to like semi-double best!
gardeninacity 
Oh my gosh.. I needed a laugh like that 🙂 I’m in the single bloom category but come on, stop being such a player hater 😀
As I said, I merely lay out the facts …
That is so funny. Mostly single bloom here, but once in a while I like to toss in one of those “fancy” plants.
I do like some semi-double flowers, but I generally prefer the singles.
LOL! I must admit I’d prefer to be in the Eleanor Roosevelt category tham Imelda Marcos, but I also have to admit that I like SOME double flowers. I don’t think I’ve got any in my garden though, except for a very pretty Philadelphus shrub, so does that save me?! 😉
It’s OK to have the wish, as long as you don’t act on it, at least not too often.
You made me chuckle and I’m not in the least surprised! I’m a lover of single blooms because they’re so charming and a lot more useful for insects. I do have roses filled, double flowers though. I agree it’s quite disgusting what some breeders do to some plants.
Good point – I should have mentioned that single blooms are better for pollinators! Roses, I admit, are a bit of a special case.
I am with you on the single versus double debate. I suspect most gardeners are. But I make exceptions for double Hellebore; I don’ t prefer them but who can resist their frilly party dresses? Also Barnhaven double Primroses, don’t tell me you don’ t like them.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen them, but I will look for images online and let you know.
There is a lesson here for those folks messing with the hellebores!
And Chloris was just saying we had to make an exception for the hellebores!
I guess I am a double. I do have singles in my garden. 🙂
Then you must be the exception that proves the rule.
I really love those fancy overbred doubles such as dandelion flowers! Can you honestly say you look at a double bloodroot and say “ugh”?
Maybe not “ugh”, but “meh”.
I’m a simple New England cottage gardener – single blooms for me. 🙂
Obviously, you are a woman of many virtues!
This did have me laughing out loud. And of course I’m a single bloom kind of gal!xxx
I knew you would be.
It’s easier for me to vote single based on the people than the blooms. I don’t fit into one category so easily, but having followed Christina’s blog for a while now certainly has made me look more closely at the simple beauty of the singles. That echinacea could push me into the definitely single bloom category.
Echinaceas have really been victimized by some unhinged plant breeders.
I like both!
Come on – which side are you on?
Ha! It depends on the flower- roses:double, Hellebores:single. 🙂
So you’re a horticultural relativist?
Well…. With which hand am I holding my whiskey sour?
Depends on the plant. I think double impatiens are a vast improvement over the boring single ones, for instance. But double echinaceas and double hollyhocks are an abomination.
I actually disagree with you about the impatiens, but agree on the echinaceas and hollyhocks.
I do prefer single. As Sarah says, it is not difficult to decide when you think of hollyhocks. However I believe the cards are stacked against these poor doubles here. I doubt there are many gardens without any double flowers.
Sure, but that doesn’t make it right.
Funny I’m not sure that Steve Jobs is a single bloom person…..
You don’t think apple generally has the simpler design etc. as compared to microsoft?
Committed singlist. here.
One for all and all for one!
I think the pollinators in my yard prefer the singles: I imagine the flatter surfaces are much easier to land on. Love love love Japanese anemone.
On the other hand I am a sucker for fluffy peonies. Guess I am a fence sitter.
I actually prefer single peonies. After the rain double peonies look like wet paper toweld.
hahaha I have seen that effect and you are absolutely correct. Drooping mush. I wish I could grow either type here but I am pretty sure it just doesn’t get cold enough.
Didn’t realize the singles needed a cooler climate.
No fair! The “double” you show isn’t a double; it’s one of those throat-choking, face-swallowing Elizabethan Collars!
Whew. That being said, I like to scatter a few doubles–Some Campanulas, Rose of Sharon, Columbine, and, yes, a few ruffled Hellebores in with my singles. 😉
Maybe Queen Elizabeth was a double bloom person.
I’m not sure I fall into either category Jason. I know I should and do plant singles purely for the wildlife but also choose the occasion double. I do love my paeonies to be big and blousy – yet can’t fathom those double Dahlias!
As I said to Emily, I prefer single peonies. However, I am willing to make an exception for certain double flowered roses.
It depends! When I think of zinnias and marigolds, I prefer the double blooms, but for many other flowers, I like the single. And I think you have Steve Jobs and Bill Gates backwards!
I love single Zinnias – especially Orange Profusion. Why are Jobs and Gates backwards?
I’m a single (bloom) gal! And ‘Honorine’ is the paragon of that category, IMHO.
‘Honorine’ is indeed such a lovely flower. They say she can spread aggressively, but frankly I would be delighted if she got that way around me.
I prefer singles, especially peonies. I really don’t like my plants on their sides.
Exactly.
I think it depends on the bloom. I prefer double roses but can’t stand double petunias or impatiens.
I do think roses are a special case.
Hilarious!
I have Imelda moods, although I own very few shoes. I also have saintly moods, though I’ve been known to have a wicked sense of humor.
Generally, however, I find single blooms much more sophisticated, classy, and honest.
And any flower named for a poodle… well, that degrades the canine.
A lot of people have confused me with Louis XIV, thought I’d rather be Bill Gates.
Falling on my sword, hoist on my own petard…I just love the blowsy overblown peonies, poppies, damask roses….
What is a petard, anyway?
Single almost every time. Exception is the marigold. Single, double – I love them all.
Marigolds, like roses, may be a special case.
Thanks for the mention – its Christina BTW not Cathy from My Hesperides Garden. Love the history!
I did make the correction shortly after posting – sorry!
No problem, it is nice that we think in the same way about the single versus double debate. I agree too about roses being a special case although even single roses have a charm that. doubles don’t
I like to have a bee friendly garden, and they usually prefer the single bloom flowers. But there are also many wonderful double ones….
You’re right, the single blooms are much more pollinator friendly.
I’m another one of those “it depends” people. Double Echinaceas seem obnoxious. But double Roses or double Camellias melt my heart. (A realist with a touch of the romantic?) Cute post!
I’ve conceded that roses are a special case. I’m not familiar enough with Camelias to have an opinion, but I’ll take your word for it.
I almost always go for a single bloom but have fallen for doubles several times. However, the double echinaceas are hideous. They look like show poodles. ‘Pink Poodle’ is a silly name for a silly plant. Great post!
I’ll admit there are exceptions to the rule – but what the breeders do to Echinaceas ought to be illegal. In fact, I have proposed the creation of an Echinacea Cultivar Control Board (ECCB) to put a stop to such abuses.
Coming in late here, to weigh in on the simple side. There is really no debate, Harvard study or no Harvard study. The pollinators know for sure.
But it’s always good to have a Harvard study for back up.
I used to love the doubles as well as singles, but I am more of a single girl these days….maybe?
I can’t believe I’ve only just found this. Who in their right mind likes the abomination that is the blowsy “double” of any flower? Coriander lovers the lot of ’em. When I take power, both (coriander and double flowers) will be banned. Mwah ha ha ha.
I did read that one of the signs of mental instability was an attraction to double flowers.
OK, we’re on the same wavelength regarding double flowers – but coriander/cilantro? Have you ever had coriander chutney on hot samosas?