Browse by Era
The history of women in gardens stretches back thousands of years. Each era brought new opportunities, new challenges, and new women who pushed boundaries. Select an era below to explore.
- Ancient & Classical GardensFrom Egyptian temple gardens to Roman villa estates, women served as herbalists, healers, and keepers of sacred landscapes.
- Medieval Garden WomenIn the walled gardens of convents and castles, women preserved botanical knowledge through the Dark Ages.
- Renaissance & Early ModernAs botanical science emerged, women like Maria Sibylla Merian broke ground in illustration and naturalism.
- 18th CenturyThe landscape revolution and the rise of women plant collectors and the first female American botanist.
- Victorian EraAn explosion of women in horticulture: garden design, plant hunting, travel painting, and garden writing.
- Early 20th Century (1900–1945)The golden age of the country house garden and the emergence of women in professional landscape design.
- Mid-Century Modern (1945–1980)Women entered landscape architecture and pioneered organic and no-dig gardening methods.
- Contemporary (1980–Present)Ecological planting, the New Perennial movement, and the continuing expansion of women's roles.