Stories of horticulture and garden-making are often bound up with stories of empires. From the global trade in plants and the economic imperative behind botanic gardens to the acquired status and symbolism of certain plants and the realities of human exploitation, this series will explore the myriad ways in which economic and political power has influenced the seemingly commonplace activities of gardeners.

This January 8-part online series from The Gardens Trust picks up themes and ideas from the Gardens and Empires conference presented in June 2025 by English Heritage and Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew in association with the British Library. Some of the speakers from the conference will be expanding on the topics they presented, and additional researchers have been invited to share their perspectives. The series will focus on European empires and will examine their global impact and influence on plants and gardening. We will explore issues from the perspective of both the coloniser and the colonized, of individuals and institutions, of the past and continuing legacies today – and will see both the triumphs and cruelties inherent in the stories around empires, plants and gardening.

This ticket link is for the series of 8 talks at £56 or you may purchase a ticket for individual talks, costing £8. (Gardens Trust members £6 each or all 8 for £42). There will be an opportunity for Q & A after each session. Ticket holders can join each session live and/or view a recording for up to 2 weeks afterwards. Attendees will be sent a Zoom link 2 days (and again a few hours) prior to the start of the first talk and a link to the recorded session will be sent shortly after each session.

This first talk on January 20 will examine the evolution of horticultural practice at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s 23,000 sites around the globe, which commemorate the 1.7 million Commonwealth casualties of the two world wars. Following the First World War, horticultural practices at our cemeteries and memorials were intended to have the feel of an English cottage garden. This approach evolved after the Second World War as Empire became Commonwealth. More use was made of space and local environment, but they were still recognisably manifestations of the former Empire.

Much has changed. The Commission’s global estate includes countries most impacted by climate change. We are adapting our global estate and practices in response to the challenges of biodiversity loss and climate change, from our use of irrigation to increasing and improving biodiversity. New memorials are designed to reflect their location and the cultures of those commemorated. The talk will also consider the wider political and strategic context of this evolution.

David Richardson is Director of Horticulture at CWGC, one of the world’s largest gardening organizations, with responsibility for horticultural policy and standards of the global estate. He has worked predominantly within the horticultural discipline for CWGC for over 30 years. Among other positions he is a Chartered Fellow and current President of the Chartered Institute of Horticulture and a Trustee of The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Gareth Crossman is Head of Government Relations and Public Affairs at CWGC. Formerly a solicitor specializing in criminal and human rights law, he has since led policy, public affairs and communications functions at several organisations in legal, children’s and higher education sectors.

This session will be chaired by Dr Louise Crawley of English Heritage.