Historic gardens and their conservation

The English have long been a nation of gardeners and, like their continental cousins, have been inspired by a classical and mythical past. They have also adjusted their taste to new ideas and new views on both the purpose and nature of their gardens. It was natural, too, that a garden should reflect not only the ideal, but also the time and circumstances of its creation, be it an unrestricted aristocratic garden set in limitless acres, the more intimate gardens of a town bourgeoisie or a modern rooftop flat. Gardens may range from the small knot gardens of the Elizabethans to 18th-century landscape parks with their ‘natural’ settings and on to Victorian public parks.

Among historic objects, gardens are unique. From the moment of their creation and on to maturity they are constantly changing and must be managed to maintain the original concept. By their very nature, gardens will grow and mature, then enter a period of decline: without continuous management and conservation, they will lose their identity and character, and eventually disappear.

Fortunately, many still survive, some in private hands, others in public care, others are, alas, gone, circumstance and time replacing them with other landscapes.

Garden Conservation

The origins of garden conservation may be found in the Renaissance, with the recreation of classical gardens and the use of objects from the classical past, material culture brought back from European grand tours and, later, the conscious collecting of plants for the new gardens of the aristocracies of Europe. Among early collectors, John Tradescant was an agent for Robert Cecil, 1st Earl of Salisbury, and set up a museum in London in 1626. The John Tradescants (father and son) were buried in Lambeth, the church now being the Museum of Garden History. By the time of Maurice Johnson of Ayscoughfee Hall, the collection of plants from all corners of the world stocked Physic Gardens and was sponsored by kings, whose gardens at Richmond were the basis for the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew.

The National Trust and English Heritage are the two leading organisations in England for historic garden conservation, both as owners and advisers. The National Trust is the owner of many historic houses and gardens across the country and has a strong focus on conservation of historic houses and gardens, within a context of public access and education. English Heritage has a duty to advise government on the historic environment, besides managing a number of historic parks and gardens, and gives advice on Conservation Management Plans