Gertrude Jekyll the Gardening Expert

Gertrude Jekyll Was a Prolific Writer

Jekyll was an avid reader and book collector who wrote over 40 books. She started writing at a young age, publishing Herbs for English Gardens at just 24 years old. Her books were pivotal to her career, especially The Gentle Art of self-sufficiency in which she explains how to grow your own garden at home. The book had been out of print for many years, but was re-published in 2017. Jekyll also wrote the books Gardening for the Million and Gardening for the million: an illustrated handbook for the cultivation of vegetables, fruits, flowers, and shrubs for home enjoyment. She wrote about everything from gardening tools to how horticulture was related to human psychology.

Her Love for Art and Design Shone Through her Work

Jekyll’s love for art and design shone through her work. She was known for her choice of colors and her use of strong colors and bold patterns. She loved mixing natural colors with synthetic colors and created new colors by doing so. She was also the first to use colored mulch, which is now commonly used in the United Kingdom to this day. Jekyll was fond of the French style, but she was not content with the standard design, so she started using colors more and created fusion. She used colors like purple, yellow, red, blue, and green. She also used different patterns like stripes and checks, which was popular at the time. Her artistic approach to designing gardens was revolutionary at the time since gardeners usually stuck with more traditional designs. In her designs, she also created privacy in a garden by using bold colors and stripes, which is something most gardeners weren’t doing at that time.

She Had a Keen Interest in What the Masses Wanted

Jekyll had a keen interest in what the masses wanted. She had a vision of what a garden should be and how it should be designed, but she was also open to doing whatever the client wanted. She was well-known for her aesthetic sense and natural instinct for creating beautiful gardens. She was open to new ideas, but also understood what was popular at the time and also what would look good in certain areas. For example, she created gardens for urban environments as well as for rural environments. She also designed gardens that were both attractive and utilitarian. She was keen on using plants native to the area and using the right plants for the right place. When she designed gardens, she often used perennials instead of annuals because they lasted longer. She would also change the color of flowers throughout the year.

She created the Concept of Cottage Gardens and brought them back into Style

At the time, Jekyll created the concept of cottage gardens and brought them back into style. She used plants that were native to the area, vegetables, and herbs. They were also very colorful. When Jekyll designed the gardens, she made sure to include a place to sit, a path, and a pond or small stream. Her gardens were also very easy to maintain. Thus, they were perfect for people with busy lives. She brought the cottage gardens back into style and many people started using them again. They have remained popular ever since.

Even Though she was a woman, she became a Fellow of the Royal Horticultural Society

At the time, Jekyll was the first woman to have a garden of her own design. This was no easy feat, but she was able to achieve this because she was so good at what she did. Her love for gardening was intense and her passion for her work was undeniable. She loved her work so much that she became president of the Royal Horticultural Society in 1904, making her the first woman to be named a fellow of the society.

Her legacy has been forgotten

Jekyll’s legacy has been forgotten because she was a woman in an era when women were mainly seen as housewives. Her work has been overshadowed by some of her male contemporaries who were also excellent garden designers. However, her contributions to gardening and horticulture have left a huge impact on the field and she continues to inspire gardeners today. Her love of gardening and her passion for her work are evident in her writings and are important reminders of the importance of being true to yourself and pursuing your passions.

Final Words

Gertrude Jekyll’s legacy should not be forgotten. She was the first woman to have a garden of her own design and the first woman to become a fellow of the Royal Horticultural Society. She was also a prolific writer, had a keen interest in what the masses wanted, and created the concept of cottage gardens. Her legacy has been forgotten, but it’s important not to forget the first woman to have a garden of her own design and the first woman to become a fellow of the Royal Horticultural Society.