JEKYLL 12 | Jekyll’s Own Garden
The garden Gertrude Jekyll designed for her home at Munstead Wood in Surrey is a beautiful example of her philosophy of blending design with nature. She created a peaceful and harmonious space that fit naturally into the surrounding landscape. Starting in 1889, the garden became a place where she tested her ideas about colour, texture, and plant combinations, showing her deep knowledge of gardening and design.
One of the garden’s most impressive features is how Jekyll used the natural shape of the land. Winding paths guide visitors through different garden “rooms,” each with its own unique style but connected through thoughtful plant choices and design. She used herbaceous borders, informal flower beds, and carefully placed trees to add layers of texture and colour, highlighting the changing seasons.
Jekyll’s skill with colour was a key part of the garden’s beauty. She arranged colours to blend smoothly, often combining soft blues and purples with whites and creams. Bright reds, pinks, and yellows added contrast and energy to the design.
The garden also included architectural features like brick walls, pergolas, and a pond. These elements gave the space structure while keeping its natural feel. Fragrant plants such as roses, lavender, and honeysuckle were placed around the garden to create a rich sensory experience.
Here is a slide show of the beautiful garden Gertrude Jekyll created at Munstead Wood.
Photo credits
All photos by Amateur With a Camera:
- https://www.flickr.com/photos/homemadewebsites/52925464660/in/photostream/
- https://www.flickr.com/photos/homemadewebsites/52925464460/in/photostream/
- https://www.flickr.com/photos/homemadewebsites/52925526978/in/photostream/
- https://www.flickr.com/photos/homemadewebsites/52924519597/in/photostream/
- https://www.flickr.com/photos/homemadewebsites/52925111721/in/photostream/
- https://www.flickr.com/photos/homemadewebsites/52924525547/in/photostream/
- https://www.flickr.com/photos/homemadewebsites/52925120676/in/photostream/
- https://www.flickr.com/photos/homemadewebsites/52924552177/in/photostream/
- https://www.flickr.com/photos/homemadewebsites/52925513515/in/photostream/
- https://www.flickr.com/photos/homemadewebsites/52907371634/in/photostream/
- https://www.flickr.com/photos/homemadewebsites/52925578063/in/photostream/
- https://www.flickr.com/photos/homemadewebsites/52925510100/in/photostream/
JEKYLL 12 | Jekyll’s Own Garden
The garden Gertrude Jekyll designed for her home at Munstead Wood in Surrey is a beautiful example of her philosophy of blending design with nature. She created a peaceful and harmonious space that fit naturally into the surrounding landscape. Starting in 1889, the garden became a place where she tested her ideas about colour, texture, and plant combinations, showing her deep knowledge of gardening and design.
One of the garden’s most impressive features is how Jekyll used the natural shape of the land. Winding paths guide visitors through different garden “rooms,” each with its own unique style but connected through thoughtful plant choices and design. She used herbaceous borders, informal flower beds, and carefully placed trees to add layers of texture and colour, highlighting the changing seasons.
Jekyll’s skill with colour was a key part of the garden’s beauty. She arranged colours to blend smoothly, often combining soft blues and purples with whites and creams. Bright reds, pinks, and yellows added contrast and energy to the design.
The garden also included architectural features like brick walls, pergolas, and a pond. These elements gave the space structure while keeping its natural feel. Fragrant plants such as roses, lavender, and honeysuckle were placed around the garden to create a rich sensory experience.
Here is a slide show of the beautiful garden Gertrude Jekyll created at Munstead Wood.
Photo credits
All photos by Amateur With a Camera:
- https://www.flickr.com/photos/homemadewebsites/52925464660/in/photostream/
- https://www.flickr.com/photos/homemadewebsites/52925464460/in/photostream/
- https://www.flickr.com/photos/homemadewebsites/52925526978/in/photostream/
- https://www.flickr.com/photos/homemadewebsites/52924519597/in/photostream/
- https://www.flickr.com/photos/homemadewebsites/52925111721/in/photostream/
- https://www.flickr.com/photos/homemadewebsites/52924525547/in/photostream/
- https://www.flickr.com/photos/homemadewebsites/52925120676/in/photostream/
- https://www.flickr.com/photos/homemadewebsites/52924552177/in/photostream/
- https://www.flickr.com/photos/homemadewebsites/52925513515/in/photostream/
- https://www.flickr.com/photos/homemadewebsites/52907371634/in/photostream/
- https://www.flickr.com/photos/homemadewebsites/52925578063/in/photostream/
- https://www.flickr.com/photos/homemadewebsites/52925510100/in/photostream/
In this activity, match the Munstead Wood garden features. How quickly can you find the pairs?
In this activity, match the Munstead Wood garden features. How quickly can you find the pairs?