Gardens in History: Victorian and Edwardian Gardens

Course description

If gardens could speak, what stories would they tell? Gardens involve plants, design, exploration, innovation, wealth, politics and empire. Many of these characteristics can be seen in two of the most vibrant and important eras in the history of the British Empire and its colonies; the Victorian (1837-1901) and Edwardian (1901-1910) ages.  These were times of rapid and tumultuous change and the garden styles reflected many of those changes. In Gardens in History: Victorian and Edwardian Gardens, we will explore these garden styles through the ‘lens’ of some of the most important historical and beautiful gardens of Victoria.

Join art historian and master gardener Susan Hawkins as we explore and visit some of the gardens of Victoria and examine their place in the history of gardens. We will survey such notable gardens as: Royal Roads Hatley Park, Gertrude Jekyll inspired Samuel McClure landscapes, Finnerty Gardens, Beacon Hill Park, Japanese gardens, and Government House, which we will also visit.

NOTE: There is one garden visit scheduled for this course:Government House, which is located in Fairfield. Please contact the instructor ahead of time if you require any accommodation for these visits.