You are here: Home >

Plants & Gardening

Our love of plants is the reason why we garden at all. From large country estates to high-rise window boxes, we use plants to change our surroundings for the better.

Nowadays, the plants in our gardens have originated from all over the world, thanks mainly to the daring plant collectors who, in the 18th and 19th centuries, literally risked their lives to bring back new and novel species from far-flung regions.

Gardening is one of the most common hobbies in Britain and some people get pretty competitive, as witnessed by the high level of entries in the thousands of garden shows that take place throughout the summer. The RHS Chelsea Flower Show has a tradition dating back 141 years!

Some gardens have a more practical side to them. Allotments are mainly used for growing vegetables, and were originally popularised in the Victorian era as more and more people moved from the countryside to the towns. During the two world wars, home-grown vegetables kept Britain healthy and well fed.

Gardeners have also been responsible for developing thousands of new varieties of plants, as amateurs and professionals alike strive for unusual colours and shapes.

Click on the link above to see the top 10 plants that we think have made the biggest difference to this category.