London is widely regarded as one of the world’s greenest cities. It boasts the well-known, immaculate parks and the small, green oases that are so prevalent across the metropolis. For many Londoners, their own private gardens are a great luxury, making their existence in the city absolutely invaluable.
Gardening in London has come a long way – from merely fulfilling basic dietary needs to the creation of public parks and sophisticated aesthetic landscapes. The city became a hub of innovation, where gardens provided produce for citizens and botanical collections attracted scientists. More on this at londoname.
Early Gardens and the Rise of Market Gardening
Little is known about the appearance of gardens in Roman Britain, as few have been excavated. It is thought that the Romans introduced garden designs from Italy and adapted them to the London climate. By the medieval period, gardens were used not only for growing vegetables, fruits, and medicinal plants but also for leisure. Small gardens were situated within castle walls, featuring arbours, lawns, and flower borders. Outside the castle grounds, gardens were typically for recreation and hunting. Monasteries cultivated plants for medicine, food, and use in church services.
Gardening for profit began to develop in the 16th century, as towns grew too large for residents to make a living solely as growers. The Reverend Daniel Lysons, in his work “Environs of London,” wrote that this practice probably began in Sandwich, Kent, and its success swiftly led to similar gardens emerging closer to London. The first market gardeners who brought produce to the city worked the land near the Thames, where the soil was fertile and access to horse manure was plentiful. Private gardens also flourished, adding valuable green spaces to the city.
Over the years, London gradually expanded and developed. Chemists and apothecaries emerged, requiring herbs for making medicines, which were gathered by gardeners. Herbalist Nicholas Culpeper considered gardens a vital source of all medicines.
From the 17th century, vegetables were actively cultivated near London, particularly in Chelsea and Fulham. The methods employed by these market gardeners were so innovative that agricultural writers took note of their work. Farmers even offered lessons in cultivation techniques in various locations. Root crops were a particular specialty; farmers would gather two or three harvests from them and often grew them in rotation with corn or barley. This practice continued until the 19th century, laying the foundation for commercial gardening that transformed London into a central supplier of fresh vegetables and fruits.
Landscape Parks
The English landscape garden style, also known as the English Landscape Park or English Garden, gained widespread popularity in the early 18th century. William Kent pioneered this type of garden, replacing the formal French designs. The English Garden typically featured a lake, gently sloping lawns set against a backdrop of trees. It also incorporated classical temples, Gothic ruins, bridges, and other elements of picturesque architecture. These gardens significantly influenced the design of public parks and gardens that began to appear in the 19th century. Such landscape gardens were generally centred around English country houses and remain popular tourist routes and modern-day landmarks across the United Kingdom.
It is worth noting that the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) was founded in Great Britain in 1814 as the London Horticultural Society. They began to engage plant collectors to gather various plants and specimens from around the world for cultivation and study. This drive to share horticultural knowledge fostered the formation of rich collections of reference books, journals, reports, works of art, and herbariums.
The Victorian era brought new ideas for gardeners and the ability to import exotic plants. At that time, gardening became a major obsession, driven by improvements in plant transportation and transplanting methods. This allowed for greater plant diversity through experiments in hybrid creation. However, gardening was not limited to plants alone. The first lawnmower was patented in 1830. Furthermore, the first urban cemeteries were created in the form of landscape gardens. One of the very first was opened in North London, at Kensal Green, in 1831.
Contemporary London Gardening
Across London, from historic to modern homes, local enthusiasts invest time and energy into nurturing the green environment. Urban gardeners clearly recognise that every plant grown helps in the fight against climate change. Technological innovations are intertwined with traditional gardening techniques. This includes smart irrigation systems, organic fertilisers, and various materials. Vertical gardens are popular, allowing plants to flourish on walls and fences. These methods help connect nature with the urban panorama.
The legacy of gardening is preserved at the Garden Museum in Lambeth, established in 1977. It is housed in the former parish church of St Mary-at-Lambeth.
In conclusion, the history of gardening in London has deep roots. Market gardens have evolved into botanical gardens, parks, green corners, and private oases. In an age when cities strive for sustainability, London’s gardening plays a vital role. It provides a genuine connection with nature amidst the urban sprawl.
Sources used:
- https://www.rhs.org.uk/about-us/what-we-do/our-history?utm_source
- https://guildhalllibrarynewsletter.wordpress.com/2016/03/29/neat-houses-and-battersea-bundles-market-gardening-in-london/?utm_source
- https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/middx/vol12/pp150-155
- https://spitalfieldslife.com/2020/05/24/a-brief-history-of-gardening-in-the-east-end/
- https://gardenmuseum.org.uk/three-saved-green-spaces-in-london-how-the-citys-parks-were-protected-for-future-generations
- https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/histories/gardens-through-time