On International Women’s Day, while we take the opportunity to celebrate the achievements and contributions of women across all fields we are especially fortunate that the world of garden design is one in which women have been leaders and pioneers for centuries. British women in particular have played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of modern gardening, influencing everything from design philosophy to planting styles.
At Agriframes we recognise the creativity and legacy of women who have transformed gardens and influenced us all - Here we celebrate three remarkable British women garden designers — past and present—whose innovative visions continue to inspire gardeners worldwide.
Gertrude Jekyll (1843–1932) The Pioneer of Colour and Form
No celebration of British garden designers would be complete without mentioning Gertrude Jekyll, one of the most influential figures in garden history. Renowned for her painterly approach to planting, Jekyll transformed garden design into an art form, pioneering the use of colour schemes and seasonal planting combinations. She collaborated with her friend, the legendary architect Edwin Lutyens, creating over 400 gardens across Britain, Europe, and the United States including the celebrated formal gardens at Hestercombe in Somerset.
Innovations and Legacy
Her approach to garden design was revolutionary, treating each garden as a canvas - Inspired by her background in painting, Jekyll used harmonious colour palettes to create visual flow and balance in her gardens. She carefully combined hues, textures, and heights to create stunning borders that evolved with the seasons.
She popularised the informal, romantic cottage garden style, blending perennials, shrubs, and bulbs in layered arrangements and her books, such as Colour Schemes for the Flower Garden, which continues to inspire designers today - In our recent survey the vibrantly coloured David Austin 'Gertrude Jekyll’ rose was a runaway favourite with Agriframes customers.
One of her most enduring legacies is the garden at Munstead Wood in Surrey, her own home designed for her by Lutyens, which is currently undergoing renovation following its purchase by The National Trust in 2023.
Inspiration for Your Garden
Include Agriframes’ Elegance Obelisks, available in a range of subtle colour finishes, in flowing borders of complementary perennials, creating layers of colour and texture and adding height as a highlight.
Gertrude Jekyll's garden at Munstead Wood has a round archway at the front entrance and an arched door in the main border - Arches and Pergolas can be used to create definition and act as ‘entrances’ to different areas, or colour schemes bringing depth and movement to your garden.
Either left bare as an architectural feature or swathed in climbers for a softer look with colour all year round.
Plant Supports are invaluable in helping to create the effortless billowing effect of the borders Jekyll created in her gardens - Agriframes range includes supports particularly designed to make the most of Peonies and Roses - always a favourite.
Beatrix Farrand (1872–1959): America’s Trailblazer of Landscape Design
Beatrix Farrand stands as one of America’s most influential landscape architects. As the only female founding member of the American Society of Landscape Architects, she was a trailblazer who broke barriers in a male-dominated field. Her signature style combined formal European influences with native American plants, seamlessly blending structure with natural beauty.
Farrand designed over 110 gardens across the United States, including the Dumbarton Oaks estate in Washington, D.C., known for its masterful use of terraces and flowing garden rooms. Her work at Reef Point in Maine showcased her vision of preserving native landscapes.
Innovations and Legacy
Farrand’s approach emphasized harmony with the natural landscape, pioneering the use of native plants in structured garden designs. Her designs are celebrated for their elegance, meticulous attention to detail, and sophisticated use of space. Her influence continues to be felt in modern American garden design, inspiring a renewed interest in sustainable, native planting.
Inspiration for Your Garden
Capture Farrand’s blend of structure and nature by pairing Agriframes Garden Arches with native American climbers like Clematis virginiana or Lonicera sempervirens (Trumpet Honeysuckle) for a harmonious, wildlife-friendly display.Create elegant garden rooms with Agriframes Pergolas, perfect for defining outdoor living areas while maintaining a natural flow.Embrace her love of native plants by showcasing architectural grasses and perennials in Agriframes Planters, bringing texture and movement to your garden.
Sarah Price (1980–Present): The Modern Naturalist
Sarah Price is one of today’s most influential garden designers, known for her artistic, naturalistic planting style. With a background in fine art and a passion for wild landscapes, Price creates gardens that blend seamlessly with their surroundings. Her designs emphasize seasonal change, textural contrasts, and a painterly approach to planting—seeing the garden as a canvas.
Innovations and Legacy
Price uses grasses, perennials, and native species to create dynamic, ecological gardens that mirror natural landscapes. Her acclaimed designs for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, including the 2012 Olympic Park Gardens, showcase her talent for storytelling through planting, celebrating the beauty of native plants and seasonal variation.
Inspiration for Your Garden
Recreate Price’s naturalistic style by combining grasses like Stipa gigantea with airy perennials such as Verbena bonariensis.
Use Agriframes Trellises and Obelisks to showcase seasonal change by planting delicate climbers that flower throughout the year—like Sweet Peas for vertical interest with a light, natural feel.
Honoring Women’s Legacy in Garden Design
These three pioneering women—Gertrude Jekyll, Beatrix Farrand, and Sarah Price—have shaped garden design and empowered women in horticulture. Their innovative visions and commitment to beauty and sustainability continue to inspire gardeners worldwide.
At Agriframes, we celebrate their legacy by offering garden structures that complement their planting styles, making it simple to bring a designer’s touch to your own outdoor space. Whether you’re inspired by Jekyll’s harmonious color palettes, Farrand’s elegant integration of native plants, or Price’s naturalistic designs—or elements of all three—Agriframes structures and supports can help you bring your garden vision to life.
Explore our range today and create your own inspiring outdoor space that honors the pioneering women of garden design.
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Explore the legacy of these influential women and find the perfect garden structures to complement their iconic styles at Agriframes.us. Happy International Women’s Day!
