How did imported plants change European flower gardens in the 19th century?

In the 19th century, the influx of exotic plants—facilitated by increased world trade and the invention of the wardian case—fundamentally transformed European flower gardens. This accessibility to new species, combined with a growing interest in natural science, shifted the garden's role from a traditional work of art toward a "museum of plants," a style often referred to as the "gardenesque."12

The introduction of diverse flora, such as chrysanthemums and rhododendrons from China, gladioli from South Africa, and dahlias from Mexico, significantly extended the flowering season and provided a vast new palette for designers. However, the undiscerning use of these plants often led to aesthetic disharmony.31

By the late 19th century, this trend faced a backlash. Designers like William Robinson and Gertrude Jekyll criticized the "collectors' garden" approach, advocating instead for planting schemes that respected the natural forms and environmental needs of the plants. This shift emphasized that while botany is a science, gardening is an art, ultimately bringing the design of the flower garden to a new level of sophistication.1