The Evolution of Gardening

Garden design has hit a milestone this year as enthusiasts around the country celebrate one hundred years of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 2013. This provides us with the perfect opportunity to look at how gardening attitudes and trends have changed over the past century.

Roger Platts, award winning RHS Chelsea Flower Show veteran believes British garden design has evolved, whilst still reflecting themes and methods that have stood the test of time:

“I believe that the three major reasons driving the development in garden design are ever-changing architecture, climate change and lifestyle changes,” says Platts.

As increasing numbers of people live in urban environments, low maintenance and neatness will be two of the driving forces behind the gardening of the future, but how have gardening trends changed in the last century?

The tools of gardening are essentially the same, but modern technology has provided gardeners different tools to achieve their goals. Plant pots were originally clay, and have now evolved into plastics, with a movement towards organic, biodegradable materials. Chemicals are now being used instead of organic materials, construction materials are more or less the same, with the addition of plastics, concrete and stainless steel.  The lawn mower has been refined and in some cases, automated, and we grow a wider range of plants thanks to specialisation and improved selection methods. We now grow food as a hobby, rather than out of necessity.

However, Platts concludes: “The classic look we know today …will be with us for many years to come”

Full Story
http://www.bournelocal.co.uk/lifestyle/arts-leisure/changing-trends-in-our-gardens-1-4627072
 

Author: Robert Smith

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