Gardening in Britain has never stood still. From grand Victorian glasshouses to today's polytunnel-packed allotments, each era has left its mark on how we grow.
Are you an avid gardener, and have become intrigued by how your gardening habits originated? Look no further as we delve back into history to see how gardening has changed over the last two hundred years. In this article, we explore the fascinating history of gardening in the UK, tracing how our gardens, habits, and tools have changed over the decades. Starting in the Victorian era and moving through every major shift right up to the 2020s, we’ll look at how wider culture, technology, climate, and even war have shaped the way we garden.
Key Points:
Gardening has reflected changes in society, culture, and the economy.
The history of gardening shows a shift from formality to functionality to sustainability.
Major events like World War II and COVID-19 transformed gardening habits.
Today’s gardening blends tradition with modern approaches like polytunnels and rewilding.
A Climate Built for Growing
Britain’s location on the edge of Europe gives it a mild climate with regular rainfall—ideal for growing a huge variety of plants. This long growing season has helped shape a deep cultural link between the land and the people.
In fact, Britain’s climate has welcomed species from across the world, and climate change continues to shift what can and can’t grow. This constant change is one of the reasons gardening has remained such a dynamic and creative outlet.
Despite occasionally unpredictable climites, you can still grow a range of fruits using fruit cages, available to purchase from First Tunnels
Post-War Gardening: The 1950s
The 1950s marked a practical, make-do-and-mend chapter in the history of gardening. With memories of war still fresh and rationing still in place, many gardens were designed with function in mind. Growing vegetables was still a priority, and tasks like double digging, lawn mowing, and composting were typically seen as a man’s responsibility.
Allotments remained central to many communities, acting as shared spaces for advice, seeds, and stories. But as living standards slowly rose, more households began turning to flowers, shrubs, and ornamental touches. The first UK garden centre opened in 1955 in Ferndown, Dorset, offering gardeners more choice and inspiration than ever before.
The 1960s: Bright Colours and Bigger Ideas
By the 1960s, Britain was changing—and so were our gardens. The rise of modern housing estates encouraged neatly kept front lawns, trimmed hedges, and flower beds that matched the neighbours’. Lawns became a status symbol, with weekends often spent pushing a manual mower up and down in stripes.
Influenced by the “flower power” movement, gardeners embraced colour, bold plants, and indoor greenery. Monsteras, spider plants, and rubber trees became living room staples. But although environmental awareness was starting to rise in society, pesticides and weed killers were still widely used in gardens.
The 1970s: Self-Sufficiency and Style
The 1976 heatwave is one of the standout memories of the 1970s. For many, it brought water shortages, brown lawns, and a renewed focus on drought-tolerant planting. At the same time, TV shows like The Good Life inspired a movement toward growing your own food—even in suburban gardens.
This decade saw a clash of styles: carpet bedding made a comeback, influenced by psychedelic fashion, while classic roses and pampas grass stood tall in borders. Colour TVs were still a luxury, but the appeal of Gardeners’ World grew, helping to spread tips and trends to households across the country.
Learn how to insulate your greenhouse or polytunnel to keep plants safe through the colder months.
The 1980s: Garden Centres Boom
With a housing boom and more people owning their own homes, the 1980s saw a rise in leisure gardening. Garden centres grew in number and popularity, giving people access to plants, tools, and advice all in one place.
Despite growing interest in organic gardening—thanks in part to TV presenter Geoff Hamilton—many gardeners continued using chemical sprays. Classic trends of the decade included crazy paving, neat conifers, heathers, and novelty items like garden gnomes. New features like uPVC patio doors and domestic decking blurred the line between indoors and out.
The 1990s: Garden Makeovers and Media Influence
The 1990s changed the way we viewed our outdoor spaces. Garden design hit the mainstream, with TV shows like Ground Force and designers such as Alan Titchmarsh promoting makeovers that were accessible to everyone.
Gravel, decking, and bold colours—like Titchmarsh’s famous ‘Barleywood Blue’—began to replace traditional borders. Interest in exotic plants grew, led by the likes of Will Giles and the team at Great Dixter. These changes showed how the history of gardening was no longer about tradition alone—it was about personality and expression.
The 2000s: Going Online and Going Green
As the new millennium began, so did new ways of gardening. The internet made it easier to find inspiration and advice, while online plant retailers started offering home delivery. Gardeners began joining forums, sharing photos, and turning to search engines instead of seed catalogues.
Environmental issues became more widely discussed, with phrases like “global warming” and “climate change” becoming part of everyday conversation. In response, the gardening world began shifting towards sustainability. Drought-tolerant plants, recycled materials, and low-water gardening grew in popularity. Movements like the New Perennial style, led by designers like Piet Oudolf, changed the shape and structure of many gardens.
The 2010s: Tech, Trends and Native Plants
The 2010s were shaped by social media, smartphones, and the rapid rise of visual content. Apps like Instagram turned gardens into shareable moments, while podcasts and YouTube brought gardening tips to a wider audience.
Alongside this digital growth came a deeper appreciation for nature. At the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, wild planting, naturalism, and pollinator-friendly gardens took centre stage. The push for native species gained momentum too, driven by concerns about pests, diseases, and biosecurity risks linked to imported plants. This helped fuel a growing interest in British wildflowers and natural habitats.
Short on time but want to get kids involved in gardening? Discover quick after-school gardening activities—even if you only have 20 minutes to spare
The 2020s: Growing Through Change
The start of the decade brought serious challenges—with COVID-19 reshaping daily life and our relationship with nature. Garden centres were eventually declared “essential” shops, and outdoor spaces became places of safety, comfort, and connection.
During lockdown, gardening boomed. Seed sales spiked, vegetable beds were dug, and people discovered the calming rhythm of working with soil. Wildflower meadows gained popularity, supported by campaigns around rewilding and biodiversity. Meanwhile, Brexit introduced new rules around imports and plant movement, adding further complexity to the modern gardening scene.
The history of gardening in Britain has always reflected wider events—from war to weather, and culture to climate. And despite the changes in tools, trends and techniques, our reasons for gardening—whether for food, beauty, or peace of mind—remain much the same.
Where Will Gardening Go Next?
In conclusion, it is clear that each decade over the last sixty years not only brought new ideas, challenges, and inspirations—but also shaped the way we use our gardens today. Whether for food, pleasure, or peace, gardening remains one of Britain’s most loved pastimes. And as climate, technology, and habits continue to shift, so too will the ways we garden in the years to come. So, in what ways do you think gardening will be reshaped in the next ten years? Only time will tell…
FAQs
What sustainable gardening practices are gaining popularity in the UK?
Eco-friendly trends include:
No-dig gardening
Rainwater harvesting
Home composting
Wildlife gardening (bug hotels, bee-friendly plants)
Peat-free composts
There’s a growing shift toward low-impact, regenerative gardening that supports biodiversity and soil health.
What challenges do gardeners face with pests and diseases today?
With global trade and changing climates, new pests and diseases are on the rise. Examples include:
Box tree moth
Ash dieback
Olive quick decline syndrome (threat to future crops)
Slugs thriving in wetter conditions
Integrated pest management (IPM) and natural deterrents are becoming standard advice.
Are people still using traditional garden layouts and plants?
To an extent, but many are blending traditional borders with wildlife-friendly areas, gravel gardens, or modern seating zones. Roses and lavender still hold a place—but are now often paired with drought-tolerant perennials, grasses, and edibles for resilience and lower maintenance.