Gardening For All
The 19th century brought a proliferation of gardening magazines, horticultural societies and flower shows as gardening became a popular pastime in the new middle-class suburbs bordering the country's expanding towns and cities.
'All About Gardening' written in 1871 by Isabella Beeton, suggested that two thirds of a garden should be devoted to lawn, shrubs and flower-beds, and one third, the furthest from the house, to vegetables for the kitchen. Paths should 'present a curve rather than sharp angles.'
The Royal Horticultural Society, first known as the Horticultural Society of London, was founded in 1804 and played a major part in establishing standards and encouraging importation of new species.
Books and magazines disseminated advice and expertise and announced the latest discoveries. The influential 'Gardeners' Chronicle' began publication in 1841 with John Lindley as its first editor. Lindley became Professor of Botany at University College in London after serving as Assistant Secretary of the Horticultural Society. Charles Darwin was among many distinguished contributors to the magazine.
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