Gertrude Jekyll distinguished between gardening and merely collecting plants, likening the difference to that between an oil painting and colours waiting on an artist’s palette. She urged that true gardening should produce a picture that not only delights the eyes but also refines the taste, so we are always aiming for something better.

Jekyll pursued her artistic analogy, saying that gardening can be considered a fine art if it makes a scene that is refreshing and pleasing, not jarring, something harmonious and satisfying to the soul. Specifically, this means planting with purpose and not haphazardly, and it means getting to know and understand intimately the plants we are working with.

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