Garden conservation

It takes more than just gardening to care for some of the UK's most important gardens. Behind the scenes our experts provide the specialist conservation skills needed for the long-term future of these special places

A gardener working in the autumn at Dyffryn Gardens — Gardening in the autumn at Dyffryn Gardens

Behind the scenes at our gardens: Caring for Dyffryn over autumn

Ever wondered what it takes to look after our gardens each season? We're going behind the scenes at Dyffryn, one of the most important gardens in the country to meet the gardening team and discover what it takes to look after our gardens over the autumn months.

A gardener's life in autumn

The White Garden in July at Sissinghurst Castle Garden, Kent — The White Garden at Sissinghurst Castle Garden, Kent

Seven unique garden projects

With rare plant collections and unusual designs, many of the gardens we look after are one-of-a-kind. We're working hard to restore or improve these gardens, so that they can be enjoyed forever.

Discover our most intriguing gardens

300 years of ‘Capability’ Brown: The man who changed the national landscape

The man who defined the English landscape

We care for 18 different landscapes designed by the great Lancelot 'Capability' Brown, one of the UK’s most celebrated landscape gardeners. Learn more about the man who helped shape our image of the quintessential English estate, whose work continues to influence those who followed him.

The house and upper pond at Petworth House and Park, West Sussex

How to create a Capability Brown landscape

The landscapes designed by 'Capability' Brown are easy to mistake as works of nature. Discover how much effort actually went in to bringing these ground-breaking designs to life.

Restoring the estate at Croome: A Capability Brown masterpiece

The parkland at Croome was the first commission by the great landscape designer Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown and would go on to inspire gardens and estates throughout the country. Discover how the team at Croome are rolling back the years and restoring this masterpiece to its former glory.

Meet some of the team

Gardener Liz Maynard at Sissinghurst Castle Garden

A day in the life of a trainee gardener

Want to know what it's like being enrolled onto our trainee programme? Hear from newly qualified gardener Liz Maynard who has just completed a two-year placement at Sissinghurst Castle Garden.

Ian Wright, Gardens Adviser

Meet our consultant Ian Wright whose job will make any budding gardening enthusiast green with envy; visiting some of our most fantastic gardens and offering expert advice to our gardening teams.

The house and garden at Tintinhull — The house and gardens at Tintinhull

Five of our most wildlife-friendly gardens

The way we garden plays a key roll in encouraging wildlife. Here are five places where we are doing our bit for nature.

Find out more

Garden design through the ages

Tudor gardens: Henry VII 1485 - Elizabeth I 1603
Stuart Gardens: 1600-early 1700s
Georgian gardens: 1714-1830
Victorian gardens: 1837-1901
20th-century gardens: Edwardian to present day
Medieval gardens: Middle Ages to 1500

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Tudor gardens: Henry VII 1485 - Elizabeth I 1603

The influence of the Renaissance left its mark on the gardens of the Tudors, seen in the inclusion of architectural features. The most recognised feature from this period is the knot garden.
Stuart Gardens: 1600-early 1700s

Gardens grew larger during the Stuart period as the influence of French and Dutch formal gardens brought features such as long avenues, terraces and topiary.
Georgian gardens: 1714-1830

Gardens and parks merged into one during the 18th century to create a British style that would influence gardens across Europe.
Victorian gardens: 1837-1901

Exotic plants from around the world were brought home to gardens by Victorian collectors. The bright new colours were displayed in more formal garden styles.
20th-century gardens: Edwardian to present day

The structured 'rooms' that epitomised gardens at the turn of the century were later softened with borders of the many new herbaceous plants being bred.
Medieval gardens: Middle Ages to 1500

Medieval garden style was dominated by monasteries and manor houses. Herbs were grown for medicine and gardens were an important food source.

A garden in need...

Stowe Gardens appeal

We desperately need to carry out a vast restoration project at Stowe. With your help, we'll be able to restore Stowe Gardens to its former 18th-century splendour by replacing missing statues, restoring magnificent monuments and repairing historic temples.

How you can help

National Trust gardeners at work at Cotehele, Cornwall — Our gardeners are internationally renowned for their high standards

Careers in our gardens

We've been training gardeners for decades and have launched two courses designed for those wishing to develop careers in heritage gardening.

Find out more

We couldn't do it without you

Thanks to you, we're able to protect our glorious gardens for ever, for everyone