Gertrude Jekyll artist, gardener and craftswoman, one of the most influential English garden designers creating nearly 400 gardens across Britain and Europe. An amazing legacy.

A talk by Dr Judith Hill

Non members can pay £5 at the door to join our club and attend the talk.

Gertrude Jekyll (1843–1932) was a pioneering British garden designer, artist, and craftswoman whose work helped shape the modern approach to horticulture. Originally trained as a painter, she brought an artist’s eye for colour, texture, and composition into her garden designs, treating plants as if they were pigments on a canvas. Her collaboration with architect Sir Edwin Lutyens resulted in some of the most celebrated gardens in England, where structured architectural elements were softened by flowing, naturalistic planting schemes. Jekyll’s innovative use of colour gradients—arranging flowers in harmonious transitions—became one of her defining contributions to garden design.

Beyond gardening, Jekyll was deeply involved in the Arts and Crafts movement, applying her skills to embroidery, woodwork, and interior decoration. She believed in the value of traditional craftsmanship and often incorporated handmade elements into her work, reflecting a holistic approach to design that connected house, garden, and craft. Through her writings, including numerous books and articles, she shared her philosophy and practical knowledge with a wide audience, leaving a lasting legacy that continues to influence gardeners and designers around the world.