The Victorian Gardener

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Steve Bowhay explains how he has achieved it. "I use trees that have blown over with intact root systems. I trim and clean out the roots before standing them up. I dig a hole about 10 feet deep using an excavator, then lift the stump with chains so that the trunk is facing down and insert it into the hole. Once secure fashion fish net over the roots. I place live moss on the net hanging down and cover the roots of the moss with potting soil. Then I plant the flowers." How to make a DIY stumpery in your garden: 3 easy steps to follow Gardening became wildly popular in England during the Victorian era. The wealthy had the space and money to create large, lavish landscapes, but the middle class, with more time on their hands than ever before, were also able to create beautiful gardens in Victorian England. Many elements of Victorian garden style are enduring and remain popular to this day. Let’s learn a little more about Victorian garden history. Characteristics of Victorian Garden Style The entrance to the walled garden was through large double gates, known as the Stag Gates. Photograph of ‘Gateway to Great House, Stagenhoe Park’, c. 1846-1869 Each of the series (except for The Wartime Kitchen and Garden) is commercially available on DVD, distributed by Acorn Media UK. Accompanying books of all four series were written by the associate producer, Jennifer Davies, and published by BBC Books.

If you’re looking to bring a Victorian touch to your garden and need some inspiration, we’ve identified six amazing Victorian gardens around the UK to visit that will undoubtedly inspire your next steps, as well as the key features you’ll want to incorporate. Image credit: English Heritage 1. BRODSWORTH HALL, YORKSHIRE Today people want to create famous Victorian era gardens in their house. The designs belong to that age but they have a look of the new generation. One of the most famous gardens in the Victorian England is Kew.Orchids – symbolised royalty, symbolised wealth. Was a famous flower of Queen Elizabeth. Was used in both homes and gardens The Victorians loved their gardens and many of the flowers, shrubs and trees that are common today were actually discovered during the Victorian era. Owners loved nothing more than illustrating their wealth or how well-travelled they were than by filling the gardens of their Victorian homes with colourful species garnered from all corners of the globe. The history of Victorian garden design Victorian greenhouses are characterized by a steep roof pitch for maximum light transmission and to create headroom for palms and other tall plants. Glass panels tend to be narrower than those used in modern greenhouses and period features such as cresting and finials abound. Her influence can be seen in the ambitious Italianate terraces they planned in the early years of the 20th century. In later life, in recognition of her horticultural achievements, she was awarded the prestigious RHS Victoria Medal of Honour.” One of a handful of pioneering female gardeners who received recognition and acclaim, Bodnant Gardenis well worth the visit. 3. RED CROSS GARDEN, LONDON In 1793, Repton was employed by the 2nd Earl of Mansfield to remodel the grounds at Kenwood. Repton introduced a series of meandering paths that would show off the large estate of the Georgian Neoclassical house, as well as tree groves to break up the wide open spaces and a lawn to the west of the house with intricate flower garden. While not all of Repton's proposals were taken forward, several of his features can still be seen today.

One style, called carpet bedding, was a much more precise and manicured look that involved selecting flowers of all the same height. This style often meant creating designs (geometric shapes and mosaics) within the bed using symmetry and colors. This approach requires a decent amount of planning and precision, but the look can be incredible. Dig holes at least three foot deep for the stumps, placing them so that the roots face upwards. You can link them together or keep them separate. Step three: Plant Fantastic Victorian townhouse garden. Trees include ginkgo, Chusan palm, a Tulip tree, the monkey puzzle. Rowallane Garden, County Down Flower gardens and beds were a favorite of classic Victorian-era gardeners. Two very different design styles emerged.Petunias, particularly in white and purple, were widely used in suburban gardens and if you know how to deadhead petunias you can prolong the blooms. Adrian Flux is a specialist insurance compnay offering bespoke cover for all period and Victorian homes. Call 0800 369 8590 got a fast and hassle-free quote. Among the most popular species of plants were the rhododendron, camellia and magnolia. Each has its own fascinating history. Shrubs were an integral part of a Victorian garden. Gardeners used them to define walkways, flank entryways, and as focal points in the middle of meticulously designed garden beds.

Despite the magnolia being “discovered” in the 17th century, it is one of the most primitive plants in evolutionary history. Fossils have been unearthed showing that it existed in North America, Asia and Europe more than 100 million years ago. Statues – at least one statue. Mostly Greek gods. Many were females and not dressed fully due to the times. The colourful drawings of the exotic plants, with their bright red and white flowers and six-inch trumpets, were produced in a pre-photography era. They were totally different from the more delicate rhododendrons that had been introduced into Britain from Asia Minor and North America prior to 1850. With the Museum being closed to visitors, now is a good opportunity to delve into the boxes of some of the lesser known archives we hold. This week, I have been cataloguing the archive of Victorian Head Gardener, Matthew Balls (1817-1905). Since our collecting focus is contemporary and 20 th century garden design, I was excited to see this older material, especially because archives of Victorian Head Gardeners are rare.Few 12-year-olds would rise through the ranks to Head Gardener, but ambitious gardeners might start advertising their availability for Head Gardener jobs by the time they were 30, as Matthew did. Head Gardener at Stagenhoe Park