Not for this year (it's sold out), but Old House Gardens sells a dahlia called Wisconsin Red that is especially easy to winter over and has survived over the years as a passalong plant. (Story here: https://oldhousegardens.com/MoreAboutWisconsinRed) It fits into your vibe of a "farmer's wife" garden--that's what I call pretty plants that take care of themselves, like the plants in your grandmother's garden. Lilacs qualify, too. In the old days, a farmer's wife was way too busy doing her share to keep the farm running to have time for plants that needed fussing, but she did appreciate beauty when it was easy.
Not for this year (it's sold out), but Old House Gardens sells a dahlia called Wisconsin Red that is especially easy to winter over and has survived over the years as a passalong plant. (Story here: https://oldhousegardens.com/MoreAboutWisconsinRed) It fits into your vibe of a "farmer's wife" garden--that's what I call pretty plants that take care of themselves, like the plants in your grandmother's garden. Lilacs qualify, too. In the old days, a farmer's wife was way too busy doing her share to keep the farm running to have time for plants that needed fussing, but she did appreciate beauty when it was easy.