English gardens were purely utilitarian, orderly and very formal during the period 1066 to 1500 AD.
During this period, gardens were attached to monasteries which developed herb gardens for medicinal purposes.
The herb gardens of the monks, apart from medicinal plants, also contained roses, hollyhocks, carnations, peonies, violets and lilies.
The gardens were also planted with apple, pear, peach, mulberry and cherry trees and vegetables
During the Elizabethan period from 1500 to 1700 AD, the utilitarian gardens were changed to flower gardens.
In the late 16th century, introduction of various exotic plants took place in British gardens in the era of Queen Elizabeth (1558-1603 AD).
The plants comprised carnations, rosemary, lavender, thyme, lilies, etc.
The age of symmetry reached its summit in England as well as in Europe under the influence of Le Notre-a French garden architect.
According to his method, trees and shrubs were planted very closely and strictly according to geometrical designs.
In the 18th century, William Kent, Lancelot Brown and Sir Humphry Repton introduced the informal style of garden design.
This consisted of miniature fountains, streams and torrents.
Towards the end of the 19th century in England, Gertrude Jekyll appeared as a garden designer and adopted the art of arranging living plant material onsite.
According to his plan, instead of clipped hedges, informal groups of shrubs were planted.
The planting of trees was not haphazard but highly aesthetic, with due regard to harmony, balance and proportion.
Conifers were mixed with broad-leafed deciduous trees to achieve a variety of textures. There were magnificent forest gardens, rock and water gardens and rose gardens.
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