How to Maintain a Historic Garden

Preserving the character and authenticity of a historic garden requires careful consideration. 

Whether the garden is part of a large estate or a smaller listed property, any heritage or historic garden needs the appropriate maintenance and repairs to conserve its quality. 

Here at Bluefish Landscaping, we have years of experience managing historic parks and grounds throughout Surrey and beyond. In this article, we will explore the subject of managing historic gardens, and what sort of maintenance tasks they may require. 

What is a historic garden? 

A historic garden is a man-made landscape that is of historic, cultural and sometimes even national significance. They are often part of wider grounds and associated with historic property. 

Why do historic gardens need managing? 

A historic garden is vulnerable to the same conditions that affect every other garden. This includes inclement weather, pests, disease, invasive species, weeds, and the impact of human or animal visitors. 

However, historic gardens are part of our national heritage and therefore require a high level of care, expertise and conservation. This means that more attention needs to be paid to offset the effects that can deteriorate its quality over time. This may include both maintenance and repairs. 

What do we mean by maintenance and repairs? 

When we speak about maintenance in terms of historic parks or gardens, we mean the regular and routine tasks that maintain their quality. 

Meanwhile, repairs refer to more non-routine tasks that address specific issues that have arisen, in order to uphold the quality and appearance of a garden and prevent the problem from worsening. 

What does garden maintenance include for heritage gardens?

Let’s guide you through our main garden maintenance services that may be needed for historic parks and landscapes. 

Plant maintenance:

All plant collections, whether outside or in a greenhouse, must be carefully managed and kept free of pesticides and other threats.

Lawn maintenance:

A well-manicured lawn without weeds is expected for most traditional gardens.

Looking after allotments, orchards and plant nurseries:

These features are staples of many larger estate gardens and each require a level of special care. 

Managing lakes and water features:

The maintenance of lakes and water features can be complex and must be done in line with legislation. 

Carrying out repairs:

As explored previously, repairs tend to be carried out as and when needed to prevent further deterioration. 

Garden landscaping:

The garden will likely need core landscaping tasks completed on a regular basis to maintain a tidy appearance. 

Monitoring and managing pests, diseases and invasive species:

Different seasons and weather conditions bring different issues for gardens in the form of pests, diseases and invasive species. These must be monitored and action promptly taken. 

Maintaining hedgerows:

Hedgerows and topiary need regular trimming and shaping to keep their form. 

Tree management:

Trees require regular inspections and occasional pruning which a landscaping expert can keep on top of. 

As you can see, all elements of a historic garden need expert attention. That’s why it’s essential to hire the services of a professional who is experienced at managing heritage landscapes. 

How to get expert maintenance for your heritage garden

Here at Bluefish Landscaping, we specialise in managing and maintaining historic gardens and country estates. As BALI award winners, we have achieved national recognition, meaning you can trust in our expertise. 

With meticulous attention to detail and immaculate workmanship, your green space will be well taken care of with our heritage garden services. 

To discuss the requirements of your historic garden, please get in touch with Bluefish Landscaping today. We are an award-winning landscaping design and estate maintenance expert operating across Surrey, specialising in country estates and heritage properties. We are glad to answer your questions.