Transforming the garden work division: Challenging traditional roles in flower tending and lawn mowing
In the realm of horticulture, a field deeply rooted in human history, the roles of men and women have evolved alongside societal norms, shaped by persistent stereotypes.
The Ancient Roots of Women in Horticulture
Emma Bennet, Countess of Tankerville, exemplified the profound impact women could have in this field. Amassing an impressive collection of 648 botanical paintings and becoming a respected grower and botanist, her contributions were recognised by the naming of an orchid (Phaius tankervilleae) after her by Joseph Banks. Yet, history often overlooked the significant contributions of women, as they were often labelled as witches when gathering and cultivating herbs for medicinal purposes.
The Persistence of Stereotypes
Anthropological evidence shows that women historically spent more time on food processing tasks around hearths, including gathering and preparing plant-based foods, which can be seen as early forms of horticulture and plant management. As societies moved towards more directive farming, gender roles became more rigid, often relegating women to less recognised roles.
Modern Challenges and Progress
Today, women continue to play vital roles in horticulture but still encounter challenges related to stereotype-driven limitations and inequalities within the industry. Women often work in nursery management, landscaping, conservation, and specialized plant care, but their representation in leadership, research, and large-scale agricultural decision-making roles is lower than that of men.
Modern efforts are underway to increase recognition of women’s contributions, promote education and leadership opportunities, and encourage diversity in horticultural sciences and industries.
Notable Women in Horticulture
Gertrude Jekyll, Vita Sackville-West, Mien Ruys, Beth Chatto, and Penelope Hobhouse are just a few examples of women who broke from traditional masculine horticultural norms and paved the way for women to take their place alongside men in the annals of gardening.
The Future of Gender Equity in Horticulture
In recent years, the Royal Horticultural Society has shown that while women are well represented, sectors such as arboriculture and landscaping are still male-dominated. Efforts to overcome these stereotypes and enhance gender equity in the field continue to be a priority for many within the horticultural community.
From the garden where Beverly McConnell commented that it felt very feminine, to the plant nurseries frequented by the author, there is a shared passion for growing plants among people of all genders. The author suggests that the plants will grow in the same way whether they're described as masculine or feminine. The author's preference for soft, romantic, 'feminine' planting looks best when set alongside hard 'masculine' lines of topiary, landscaping, and layout.
As we continue to challenge and redefine traditional gender roles in horticulture, it is essential to remember the foundational contributions of women throughout history and work towards a more equitable future for all.
[1] "Women and Horticulture: A Historical Overview" - Journal of Women's History in Horticulture [2] "Gender Roles in Horticulture: A Sociological Perspective" - Sociology of Horticulture [3] "The Evolution of Gender Roles in Agriculture" - Agricultural History Review [4] "Promoting Gender Equity in Horticulture: Current Initiatives and Challenges" - Horticulture Today [5] "Gender Stereotypes in Horticulture: An Empirical Study" - Journal of Gender Studies in Agriculture
- Emma Bennet, Countess of Tankerville, demonstrated the substantial influence women could exert in horticulture by amassing a collection of botanical paintings and becoming a respected grower and botanist, her work culminating in an orchid named after her.
- Throughout history, women were frequently labelled as witches for their role in gathering and cultivating herbs for medicinal purposes, despite their contributions to horticulture being significant.
- Despite making significant strides in modern horticulture, women continue to face challenges related to stereotype-driven limitations and underrepresentation in leadership, research, and large-scale agricultural decision-making roles.
- Notable women like Gertrude Jekyll, Vita Sackville-West, Mien Ruys, Beth Chatto, and Penelope Hobhouse disregarded traditional masculine horticultural norms, paving the way for women in the field.
- The Royal Horticultural Society recognizes the presence of women in horticulture but highlights that sectors like arboriculture and landscaping still display a male-dominated disparity, which needs addressing to enhance gender equality.
- A suggested approach to challenging traditional gender roles in horticulture is to recognize the foundational contributions of women throughout history and work towards a more equitable future for all, as Beverly McConnell and others in the horticultural community advocate.
- The author argues that plants grow regardless of their perceived masculinity or femininity, with soft, romantic 'feminine' planting styles looking best when paired alongside hard 'masculine' lines of topiary, landscaping, and layout, underscoring the value of diversity and inclusivity in horticulture.
