Garden fencing made from wrought iron became increasingly popular due the Victorian era due to the fact that it is a malleable material that can be fashioned very ornately and corrosion-resistant. Now replaced by powder coated mild steel, metal garden archesby Burbage keeps up the tradition of decorative railings by manufacturing ornate ready-made and bespoke fencing and gates. Flower gardens and beds were a favorite of classic Victorian-era gardeners. Two very different design styles emerged. 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.

Instead of heading to see a French Château, just go to Waddesdon manor instead. It is my most favourite high-Victorian garden in England. Excellent formal parterres. Victorians were particularly keen on fernsand collecting expeditions set off in all directions. There was even a name for the addiction, Pteridomania or Fern-Fever resulting in the near extinction of some nativespecies. The lawns needed to be green and well-maintained because that’s where one would throw parties, play lawn games, and serve tea to their guests. But it also would be the base for all the trees, shrubs, flowers, and ornamentation that are the staple of any classic Victorian garden. Flowers Fruit trees – including apple, pear, cherry and plum – were popularised by the Victorians, but fig trees were the very height of fashion. 4. The more variety, the better

Ever since Coade stone was formulated in the late 18th century, affordable cast stone ornamentshave decorated our gardens, and the Victorians took full advantage of any new technology. Comparably prolific to Capability Brown, the great landscape gardener Humphry Repton is credited with creating around 400 designs in his working life. A follower of Brown, Repton lived and worked later and adapted his approach to meet the changing fashions of the early 19th century. He was also something of a Renaissance man — starting out as a merchant, later a writer of several books on landscape design and a skilled painter. He used his artistic ability for his horticultural work, providing clients with 'Red Books' containing detailed and romanticised sketches of finished landscapes. Writing for The Guardian in 2009 during a repeat of the series, Lucy Mangan found that it was the "details that make the programme sing" and concluded by saying: "May it flourish somewhere in the schedules for ever." [5]

The Douglas fir, Monterey pine and mighty redwoods from the Americas were particular favourites among municipal gardeners because of their rapid growth and almost instant character and colour. They remain popular today. This 1881 map shows that within the walled garden there was a pond with a bridge over the centre. The area marked ‘20’ on the map shows the position of a Cedar of Lebanon tree, photographed by Matthew. The cross-hatched sections indicate glasshouses. ‘Hertfordshire Ordnance Survey, Six-inch to the mile’, surveyed 1881, published 1884 [4] Photograph of a Cedar of Lebanon in the garden at Stagenhoe Park taken from the upper windows of the house, c. 1846-1869

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Were expensive to create and maintain by hiring several gardeners. So, were a reflection of your social class and status. More decorative gardens indicated that you are more rich and important. Apiary in Waddesdon Manor Garden Which are famous Victorian-era gardens in England? Statues – at least one statue. Mostly Greek gods. Many were females and not dressed fully due to the times. In Victorian times, when small, ornamental gardens became popular, evergreen magnolias were a common choice, even in the gardens of smaller houses. There are around 80 species in existence today and about 50% of them are tropical. Try including different types of pelargoniums in your garden, which you can propagate from each year. Use them in pots along a garden wall, or as a garden table centrepiece, for instance,' recommends Rosie. The wealthy had larger spaces for their gardens, but the middle class wasn’t left out. With all the changes taking place, middle-class families didn’t have to focus their gardening only on food necessities (fruits, veggies, herbs). They could use some of that extra free time to create beautiful gardens with visuals and aesthetics. SOME BASIC ELEMENTS OF VICTORIAN GARDENS Lawn

Be careful though, biting into a sweet and juicy Egremont Russet might give any fit young man ideas of foraging for further forbidden fruit. Exotic plant collections gathered from all corners of the world. Typical Victorian plants for gardens might include the Monkey Puzzle, Douglas fir, Monterey pine or redwood trees; wisteria, jasmine, ferns, lilies, rhododendrons and magnolias which were extremely popular; these all capture the essence of the period and anchor the garden to the era of the house.

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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.