Alison Wessely
The style of gardens throughout the 20th century evolved in response to cultural, technological and ecological changes.
In the 1910’s, WW1 had taken its toll on gardens, many had been ploughed up for vegetable production. Thousands of gardeners had been conscripted to the war effort and many never returned from the trenches. The horticultural magnificence seen in the formality of the late Victorian and early Edwardian gardens had been halted by war. Of notable influence the prolific gardener of the decade was Gertrude Jekyll who began to blend her landscape designs with the principles of modern architecture ably helped by the brilliantly inventive architect Edwin Lutyens.
The Arts and Crafts movement had a significant impact with its emphasis on craftsmanship and organic forms. The design characteristics remained however rooted in the formality, symmetry, neatly trimmed hedges and ornate flower beds. Key features were topiary, walled gardens and classical elements like statues and urns.
The rise of modernism in the 1920s-1930s saw gardens becoming more minimalistic and abstract. This period embraced clean lines and simplicity. The golden age of plant hunting continued through the 1920s. Woodland collections and specialised nurseries were developed to showcase rare trees, rhododendrons, camellias, and assorted exotic species collected by tenacious plant hunters who travelled across continents to bring plants home to be then propagated for commercial sale. Harold Hillier, Lionel de Rothschild and Eric Saville all created world famous gardens that now hold formidable plant collections.
Dig for Victory became the motto from 1940’s onwards as gardens great and small were ploughed up to help feed a nation at war. After the war surburbanisation boomed and gardens were designed for practicality rather than aesthetics. The emphasis shifted towards creating functional spaces for leisure and recreation. Large lawns, vegetable gardens, the rise of the patio and swimming pools became key features.
The rise of gardening as a hobby for the public became popular. Dr David Hessayon published his first self-help gardening guide. His books are still used over 70 years later.
With the environmental movements of the 1960s and 1970s there was a push towards more natural organic gardening styles that emphasized sustainability, native plants, and wildlife friendly environments. The countercultural movements and ecological awareness also led to the rise of “wild” or “naturalistic” gardening styles. Many pioneering figures of the time such as Russell Page who wrote The Education of the Gardener advocated for gardens that blurred the lines between natural landscapes and human designed spaces.
Inspired by global trends and an increased desire for luxury outdoor living, the 1980s and 1990s saw a rise in designer-driven gardens. A growing interest in creating outdoor rooms that could be used for dining and entertaining became popular using exotic tropical plants now more easily obtainable from the increasingly popular garden centres. Newly popularized garden makeover programmes encouraged the non-green fingered to venture outdoors to make a garden retreat and thereby escape urban pressures.
From the 2000s to present day the ecological garden comes of age. In the new millennium, a series of low rainfall years and mild winters enforces concerns of climate change. The design characteristics now reflect an emphasis on sustainability, water conservation and low maintenance styles that suit busy modern lives. Key features are native plants, drought tolerant gardens, green roofs, and the use of recycled materials.
Garden designers like Tom Stuart-Smith advocate for gardens that integrate with the natural environment, promote biodiversity and focus on ecological responsibility.
The 20th century saw the evolution of garden design from highly formal and ornamental styles to minimalist, modern and ecological approaches. The style of a garden often reflected broader societal trends from post war suburbanisaton to the environmental consciousness of the late 20th century and the modern-day focus on sustainability and connection to nature.
References:
K.Bradley-Hole, 100 Years of Gardening Fashions (Country Life Jan 16th-2013)
English Gardens of the Twentieth Century: From the Archives of “Country Life”
