Unearthed: The Power of Gardening

Fantastic exhibition at the British Library telling the story of gardening in England and what it means to us today.

As ever at the British Library, the story was told clearly with some stunning exhibits. I love the way their labels set the narrative rather than describing the object in detail.

The show was gently themed starting with looking at growing for food, medicine and mental wellbeing, moving on to how gardening can build community, then how garden plants can tell a global story and ending with environmental issues. Each section used books, documents and objects to describe the history but also included videos discussing current practice.

Highlights included an Anglo-Saxon herbal, John Evelyn’s sketches of gardening tools, countless beautiful botanical illustrations and the first lawn mower.

Closed 10 August 2025


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