Skip to main content

The History of Women in Gardening: From Ancient Times to Modern Landscapers

October 4, 2024

I was fascinated growing up and exploring my Nana’s garden. She was an immigrant from Malta and took great delight in her small garden in her yard, and was always growing vegetables to eat, propagating flowers and out in her yard, donning her apron, working the soil. I loved to visit her house, and she instilled a the great love of gardening in me. I am sure many of you have been influenced by a woman in your life with a love of the garden as well. In fact, it’s interesting, one of the number one search queries for our online garden shop is “gifts for women gardeners“. So I thought I would write a quick (short) post on the history and influence of women in agriculture and gardening to change up my daily garden topic choice in writing and uncover the contributions, some times behind the scenes, of women in Gardening.

Introduction

Gardening has long been an essential part of human civilization, but the story of women in gardening is particularly rich and often, historically overlooked. From ancient agricultural practices to modern permaculture and sustainable movements, women have been central to the development and nurturing of gardens around the world. Their contributions range from growing food for survival to designing grand estates and pushing for environmental conservation. This blog post explores the vital role women have played in the history of gardening and how their influence continues to shape the landscape today.

Gardening in Ancient Times: Women as Early Agriculturalists

Women’s connection to gardening dates back to the earliest days of agriculture. In ancient civilizations like Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Greece, women were often responsible for gathering food and cultivating the first crops. They managed vegetable patches, herb gardens, and medicinal plants, ensuring their families and communities were well-fed and healthy.

In ancient Egypt, goddesses such as Isis were associated with fertility and agriculture, reflecting the cultural reverence for women’s role in nurturing the land. These early female gardeners not only grew food but also understood the medicinal properties of plants, making them key figures in both agriculture and healthcare.

The Middle Ages: Monastic and Cottage Gardens

As we move into the Middle Ages, women’s roles in gardening expanded, particularly in religious communities. In convents, nuns tended medicinal herb gardens, which provided natural remedies for common ailments. Their expertise in cultivating and using plants for healing was highly respected, making them some of the first female horticulturists.

women's cottage garden
A beautiful modern cottage garden

Outside religious institutions, women tended cottage gardens, which combined beauty and practicality. These gardens provided families with food, herbs, and flowers, blending vegetables with colorful blooms like roses and lavender. The cottage garden style, with its informality and mixture of plant types, is still popular today and owes much to the creativity and labor of women during this time.

The Renaissance and Beyond: Women as Garden Designers

The Renaissance saw the rise of formal garden design, often attributed to men, but many women also played key roles behind the scenes. Aristocratic women of the 16th and 17th centuries began commissioning and overseeing the creation of beautiful pleasure gardens. Elizabeth of Bohemia, for example, was passionate about gardens and influenced designs across Europe.

As the Enlightenment brought a surge of interest in botany, many upper-class women became keen amateur botanists, growing plants not only for beauty but for scientific study. American botanist Jane Colden made a name for herself during this time by cataloging plants and creating detailed botanical illustrations, contributing to the scientific understanding of flora.

The 19th Century: Women in Gardening Literature and Design

The 19th century was a pivotal time for women in gardening. With the rise of gardening literature, women like Jane Loudon became household names. Loudon’s book The Ladies’ Flower Garden brought practical gardening advice to the masses and made it more accessible to women who were eager to expand their gardening knowledge.

In this era, Gertrude Jekyll also rose to prominence, revolutionizing English garden design. Jekyll’s naturalistic planting style broke away from rigid, formal gardens and emphasized color, texture, and seasonal change. Her influence spread across Europe and the U.S., and she is credited with designing over 400 gardens.

During this period, women were also central to the victory garden movement, especially during times of war. Women grew food to support their families and communities, demonstrating their essential role in sustaining societies through their gardening efforts.

The Early 20th Century: Women Break Ground in Landscape Architecture

The 20th century saw women like Beatrix Farrand pioneer the field of landscape architecture. Farrand, one of the first female landscape architects in the United States, designed iconic gardens and landscapes, including those at Princeton University and Dumbarton Oaks. Her work blended horticultural knowledge with artistic vision, laying the groundwork for future generations of female designers.

Authors like Edith Wharton, famous for her novels, were also influential in shaping garden design. Wharton’s book Italian Villas and Their Gardens introduced Americans to the elegance of Italian Renaissance gardens, shaping the taste of the time and inspiring many to adopt similar styles.

women's gardening gifts and apparel
Women gardeners are the majority of the gardening market today (Click to see our women’s gardening gifts and goods)

Modern Day: Women Leading in Sustainability and Permaculture

Today, women continue to be at the forefront of gardening, particularly in sustainable gardening and permaculture movements. Ruth Stout, for example, revolutionized gardening with her no-till method, which promotes healthier soil by eliminating the need for constant tilling.

Women like Alice Waters and Rosalind Creasy have also made significant contributions to modern gardening. Waters, through her Edible Schoolyard Project, introduced children to gardening and cooking with fresh, homegrown food, empowering the next generation to connect with the land. Meanwhile, Creasy’s work in edible landscaping has encouraged gardeners to replace traditional ornamental plants with food-producing varieties.

The rise of urban gardening and community gardens has seen women leading the charge in greening cities and promoting sustainable, local food sources. These women are transforming neglected spaces into thriving green oases, improving food security, and educating communities about the power of gardening.

Conclusion: Women as Stewards of the Garden

Throughout history, women have played a foundational role in gardening, from tending ancient agricultural plots to designing iconic landscapes. They have used their knowledge to sustain families, beautify communities, and push the boundaries of horticultural science. Today, women continue to lead the way in sustainable gardening and permaculture, ensuring that the gardens of tomorrow are both productive and ecologically sound.

As we look back on the history of women in gardening, it becomes clear that their contributions have shaped the landscapes we enjoy today. Their resilience, creativity, and dedication have helped to cultivate not just gardens, but a more sustainable world for future generations.


More From Our Master Gardener

Subscribe for updates

* indicates required