# History of Gardening: Stunning Guide to Best Styles

- Link: https://lifeandwork.blog/gardening-the-history-of-gardening/
- Published: 2026-10-24T02:31:56-05:00
- Author: Bert Swope

If you have been gardening for years, you may be tired of hearing about the latest
trends. However, the history of gardening can provide a wealth of knowledge. From
ancient civilizations to modern-day styles, you’ll be able to discover how these
practices evolved over time. Learn more about the Medieval style, the Byzantine 
style, Moorish Spain, and French Classical styles. Once you’ve mastered these styles,
you’ll have a much deeper appreciation for all things gardening.

## Medieval gardens

While most of us think of contemporary gardening, we have never considered the medieval
garden, but this period is rich in garden art. The medieval period was also a time
when flowers were valued highly. Many of the flowers we associate with medieval 
gardens have survived. These plants included the daffodil, lily of the valley, foxglove,
and cowslip. The most interesting features of a medieval garden are the statues 
and flowerbeds, as well as the fountains.

Plants were also farmed. Many early medieval gardens contained turnip cabbage, hemp,
flax, amaranth, lentil, celery, chickpea, carrot, fennel, mustard, coriander, dill,
and parsley. The medieval gardener also used herbs, such as henbane, dyer’s chamomile,
spurge, horse bean, fennel, and parsley, for their culinary needs.

The style of gardens in the medieval period varied, but there are a few common themes
that we can follow. Many gardens were intended to provide food and medicine to monks,
and were therefore governed by a religious purpose. Monastic gardens, for example,
were physic, or vegetable gardens that consisted of neat, rectangular beds. Monastic
gardens were often associated with the Virgin Mary, while royal palace gardens were
devoted to earthly pleasures. In addition to herbs, medieval gardens featured wattle
fences, arbors, and other structures. In addition to horticulture, gardens were 
largely shaped after the cloister design of the day.

## Byzantium

In the first half of the seventeenth century, Byzantium was one of the most fertile
regions in the Mediterranean, and monastic horticulture was especially flourishing.
The history of gardening in Byzantium is largely based on archaeological findings,
but other sources including foundation documents, biographies of saints, and other
documents also provide insights into how monastic gardens were maintained. Aside
from maintaining the gardens within the walls of the monastery, monastics also maintained
vineyards and tended broadleaf crops and fruit trees. In many cases, the role of
the gardener was assumed by the monks themselves, who worked in tandem with the 
gardeners to ensure the success of the endeavors.

Byzantine gardening is reflected in the creation of the Geoponika, a comprehensive
agricultural and horticultural encyclopedia. This important text aimed to present
pagan lore and agricultural practices for modern use. The Geoponika survived in 
fifty-five manuscripts and is considered the most significant Greek agricultural
text. It dates back to Hesiod and flourished throughout the Hellenistic period.

## Moorish Spain

The gardens of medieval Moorish Spain were both places of pleasure and utility. 
Fruit trees, aromatic herbs, and pools vied for attention with pavilions and gardens.
In the 1100s, a book called Kitab al-filaha was written, describing over 600 plants
that were grown in Spain. Many of these plants are now popular crops, such as sugar
cane and pistachios.

The gardens of Alhambra were repaired by Valencian gardeners after 1492. The Alhambra
had orchards next to the baths, and 140 orange trees were purchased from Palma del
Rio in 1494. The gardens of the Generalife and Alhambra also had orchards, and pruned
myrtles were transformed into chairs. In 1565, Flemish botanist Carolus Clusius,
also known as Charles de l’Ecluse, recorded the same cultivar of myrtle.

The gardens of the Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos are more recent, but they still
retain a Moorish flair. The gardens of the Christian monarchs are nearby, and they
incorporate vertical accents to create a picture in shadows. These gardens have 
been copied with little success, but they offer a fascinating glimpse into Moorish
culture. If you’re ever in the area, you shouldn’t miss the gardens of this magnificent
palace.

## French Classical style

When it comes to French gardening, you’ve probably heard of parterres. These low
planting areas are very popular, but what’s so unique about them? They have a symmetry
that is unmistakably French. They also represent order, which was an important part
of French society at the time. The French loved order, and their parterres reflected
that. But how did they get so organized?

During the early Renaissance, the practice of gardening was closely tied with agriculture.
While larger gardens focused on ornamentation, the kitchen garden was often the 
first priority. And in the 18th century, the English landscape garden gained prominence,
as did the Italian Renaissance garden. But by the 19th century, the formal garden
in French Classical style was no longer so prevalent in European gardens, and the
English and French landscape garden began to take over.

The color scheme of the French garden is also distinctly cool. The color palette
focuses on greens and whites, with occasional touches of purple or blue. Plants 
and trees were limited in variety and had to be in geometric shapes. Other elements
used to add color and interest to a garden are iron benches, pergolas, and trellis.
Throughout the French garden, you can see the use of a center fountain.

## Victory gardens

During World War II, the United States government encouraged American families to
start Victory Gardens. Growing food at home made it easier to supply soldiers overseas
and kept supplies stocked in the home. The gardens also gave Americans fresh produce,
pride, and a way to relax. By 1944, the gardens provided forty percent of the nation’s
food supply. But where did the gardens come from and what can you do today? This
article will explore the history of the Victory garden program and its importance
in gardening.

The first victory garden was planted on the front lawn of the White House by Eleanor
Roosevelt, with millions of others planted throughout the country. Gardening for
victory was popularized through instructional manuals and staged photographs showing
women cultivating their crops. Even the most amateur gardener could grow a garden
full of vegetables and harvest them for a bounty. Although the gardens were not 
necessarily designed for vegetable production, they were planted among flower bulbs
and perennials.

The Victory Garden was an experiment in gardening. During World War II, the government
promoted the use of Victory Gardens to supplement the food supply. The garden was
used to grow carrots, peas, lettuce, beets, lima beans, and green beans. Eventually,
it also provided vegetables for the lunch tables of children in school. And it was
a success, and Victory Gardens were eventually planted nationwide.

## Mixed herbaceous borders

Herbaceous borders are not always long and narrow. Herbaceous plantings often come
in a variety of colours and styles, and can be combined with climbing plants and
shrubs. They are a great way to add interest to your landscape, and are easy to 
maintain. Here are some helpful tips for planting your herbaceous borders. A sheltered
position and a sunny spot are the key to a successful garden.

Herbaceous planting began around the end of the Victorian era. They were primarily
features of large country houses and gardens, and required an army of gardeners 
to maintain them. In the early nineteenth century, gardeners became more interested
in formal and informal plant groupings. As gardening taste changed, herbaceous planting
became less popular. Despite being a classic style, herbaceous plantings do require
a great deal of plant knowledge, good planting skills, and a good eye for design.

A history of gardening with mixed herbaceous borders goes back much further. A garden
with this type of planting is often thought of as the pinnacle of gardening. Many
gardens have immaculate lawn walkways and dual borders. But the truth is, this type
of garden is extremely difficult to maintain. So it is important to learn as much
as possible about how to keep it looking its best. Then, you can create the perfect
herbaceous garden that is both beautiful and functional.

## Women gardeners

Women have played a key role in the history of gardening. In the nineteenth century,
women were often ignored, but a determined campaign by Fanny Rollo Wilkinson led
to a change. She began laying out 75 public gardens in London without being paid
until later. In the 1920s, the first women to attend a horticultural college were
Annie Gulvin and Alice Hutchins. In 1929, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) 
inaugurated the Victoria Medal, which honors the achievements of women in gardening.

Despite the fact that women were historically underrepresented in the history of
gardening, feminist historians have begun to write about their experiences. In “
Virgins, Weeders, Queens: Women Gardeners in the History of Gardening,” author Catherine
Horwood celebrates the collective legacy of the Great British gardeners. Her research
highlights the achievements and contributions of women across all social strata,
including those who helped shape the history of gardening.

At the turn of the twentieth century, horticultural schools began to cater for women.
The first women were admitted to Swanley Horticultural College in Kent in 1891. 
By the end of the century, the school became an all-female institution, and women
consistently topped the RHS examination boards. In 1896, three graduates from the
school went on to become the first female gardeners at Kew Gardens.

“The History of Gardening: How Cultures, Events, and People Made Gardening What 
It Is Today”

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