JEKYLL 6 | Jekyll and the Beauty of Nature

Gertrude Jekyll was passionate about understanding the beauty in natural landscapes, studying the way plants grew in nature and recreating the effects in her garden designs. Jekyll used the term ‘drifts’ to describe groups or sweeps of plants planted together in naturalistic, flowing masses. Rather than isolated clumps, these drifts created a sense of cohesion and rhythm, mimicking the way plants grow in nature. Jekyll emphasized this approach to achieve a harmonious, softer look in garden design, contrasting with the formal, structured plantings popular at the time. ‘Drifts’ could include a mix of flowering plants, grasses, or shrubs, creating visual interest through colour, texture, and seasonal variation.

Do you think these planting schemes look natural or formal? Natural planting schemes look like Mother Nature sowed the seeds herself, while formal planting schemes look like the plants have been arranged or organised by a designer.

JEKYLL 6 | Jekyll and the Beauty of Nature

Gertrude Jekyll was passionate about understanding the beauty in natural landscapes, studying the way plants grew in nature and recreating the effects in her garden designs. Jekyll used the term ‘drifts’ to describe groups or sweeps of plants planted together in naturalistic, flowing masses. Rather than isolated clumps, these drifts created a sense of cohesion and rhythm, mimicking the way plants grow in nature. Jekyll emphasized this approach to achieve a harmonious, softer look in garden design, contrasting with the formal, structured plantings popular at the time. ‘Drifts’ could include a mix of flowering plants, grasses, or shrubs, creating visual interest through colour, texture, and seasonal variation.

Do you think these planting schemes look natural or formal? Natural planting schemes look like Mother Nature sowed the seeds herself, while formal planting schemes look like the plants have been arranged or organised by a designer.