Hi there Charlking, I would plant a cottage garden look with, Roses,Hostas,Lupins,Poppies,Camassias, & Rodgersia, even herbs, if it is big enough maybe edge it with box hedging. Your garden/house sounds wonderful. Good luck.

well the victorians were plant-aholics so many wealthy people grew the new introductions as a status symbol. So you have a wide choice of plants. have a look at plants being grown in places like Heligan in cornwall to get some idea of the range of plants. There are a few 'victorian planting' gardens up and down the country. Normanby Hall near Scunthoprpe is one that has tried to use the correct plants for the period.