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
How Victorian plant hunters shaped our gardens
Find out more about the men and women who traveled the world in search of beautiful plants and brought them back to our gardens.
Garden design through the ages
-
![Orchard House at Cragside]()
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.
-
![Hidcote Manor garden]()
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.
-
![Studley Royal Water Garden, Fountains Abbey]()
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.
-
![The garden at Moseley Old Hall]()
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.
-
![Powis Castle, Welshpool]()
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.
-
![The Pleasure Grounds at Osterley]()
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.
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.
