Gardening, like fashion and music, has always reflected the cultural zeitgeist of its time. From the prim perfection of the Georgian garden to the bohemian embrace of cottage gardening, the evolution of styles offers a glimpse into humanity’s ever-changing relationship with nature. Buckle up fellow plant lovers cuz we’re going on a very abridged, not very deep dive into the rich, occasionally ridiculous and always fascinating history of garden trends.
Ancient Beginnings: The Original Green Thumbs
Gardening as we know it began with the great civilizations. The Egyptians built lush oases along the Nile, filled with date palms and water lilies, designed not just for food but for shade and relaxation. Meanwhile, in Mesopotamia, gardens symbolized divine perfection—a prototype for paradise itself.
Takeaway Trend: Water features. If Pharaohs and priests could manage them in a desert, surely your backyard can handle a birdbath.
Medieval Gardens: Walled Sanctuaries
In the Middle Ages when gardens were less about aesthetics and more about surviving the plague. Medieval gardens were utilitarian spaces enclosed by walls (because marauding armies don’t respect plant beds). They were filled with medicinal herbs, fruit trees, and vegetables, making them the original multipurpose garden.
Aesthetics? Minimal. Function? Off the charts. It’s the kind of garden where your lavender wasn’t just there for Instagram vibes—it was your anti-anxiety medication.
Takeaway: The medieval gardener was the ultimate multitasker. Today’s equivalent? The urban gardener growing kale and tomatoes in their tiny backyard while dreaming of heirloom zucchini.
The Renaissance: Where Symmetry Was King
The Renaissance was a time of revival—art, science, and, of course, horticulture. In Europe, gardens became highly structured works of art. Think perfect symmetry, geometric precision, and fountains so impressive, you half expect the water to hand you a thesis.. The Italian Renaissance garden featured terraces, elaborate hedges, and sculptures that wouldn’t have looked out of place in a museum.
This was also when gardening became less about survival (thanks, agricultural revolution) and more about flexing wealth and power. If you had a garden, you weren’t just planting herbs; you were cultivating your legacy.
Funny thought: If Instagram had existed in the 1500s, every nobleman would be flexing their labyrinthine hedge mazes with captions like, “Can’t get lost in life when your garden is this symmetrical. #LabyrinthGoals.”
The 18th Century: English Landscape Gardens—Nature, But Better
The English got tired of looking at straight lines and decided nature should look more...natural. Enter the English landscape garden, designed to mimic pastoral landscapes with gently rolling hills, meandering streams, and strategically placed clumps of trees. The goal was to create a scene so picturesque it could be framed as a painting.
These gardens often featured ruins. Not ancient ruins, mind you—brand-new ones built to look old. (Because why not commission a perfectly good broken column for aesthetic purposes?)
Takeaway: If you’ve ever placed a chipped pot in your garden because it “adds character,” you owe thanks to 18th-century England.
Victorian Gardens: The Age of Excess
The Victorians were not ones for subtlety, and their gardens reflected this. With the Industrial Revolution making exotic plants accessible, Victorian gardens became a riot of color and textures. Conservatories housed tropical plants (a flex for the wealthy), and bedding schemes involved planting in patterns that looked like floral mosaics.
Thanks to colonialism (problematic), they filled their gardens with plants from all over the world, creating collections that made your local botanical garden look basic. They also introduced the concept of the “outdoor room,” giving us the precursor to today’s patio culture.
Victorian gardens were the original “keeping up with the Joneses.” Only instead of a Range Rover, it was a Norfolk Island pine.
The Lawn Obsession: A Mid-Century Phenomenon
Jumping to the 20th century, lawns became the star of the show. Thanks to suburban sprawl and the invention of the rotary lawn mower, a lush green lawn was now the ultimate status symbol. Entire gardening magazines were devoted to grass care. People measured their worth in the evenness of their turf.
The environmental toll of this obsession (and the invention of astroturf) has dulled the lawn’s luster in recent years. But for a while, it reigned supreme.
Takeaway Trend: A patch of green is lovely. A never-ending battle against dandelions? Maybe let them win they’re good for the bees.
The 1980s: Decks, Mulch, and "Low Maintenance"
The 1980s brought us shoulder pads, cassette tapes, and the rise of the “low-maintenance garden.” Think junipers, bark mulch, and railroad ties framing every bed.
It was the era of convenience over creativity. Plants were chosen for their ability to survive a nuclear winter, and watering cans were replaced by automatic sprinkler systems. Functional? Yes. Soul-stirring? Not so much.
The Cottage Revival: Back to Basics
By the late 20th century, people began yearning for something more authentic. Cottage gardens made a comeback, this time with Pinterest boards to guide us. Perennials reigned supreme, wildflowers flourished, and gardens were once again a place for butterflies, bees, and barefoot kids.
The Modern Era: Eco-Friendly and Edible
Today’s gardens are as diverse as the people tending them. Raised beds filled with kale and tomatoes share space with pollinator-friendly wildflowers. Lawns are being swapped for meadows, and native plants are having a major moment.
Sustainability is the name of the game. Rain barrels, compost bins, and drip irrigation systems are now garden staples. And let’s not forget the Instagram-worthy trend of planting a cutting garden so you can humblebrag with fresh bouquets.
What’s Next?
Gardening styles will continue to evolve as our needs and values shift. Whether it’s rooftop gardens in urban spaces or climate-resilient xeriscaping, one thing’s for sure: gardening will always be more than just digging in the dirt. It’s a reflection of who we are and what we care about.
So, whether you’re channeling your inner Louis XIV or embracing the whimsical charm of a cottage garden, remember—gardening styles may change, but the joy of tending a garden never goes out of style.
Now, go plant something fabulous. And maybe throw in a stone cherub, for old time’s sake.