New London exhibition explores the power of gardening for social change, mental wellbeing and the planet

Unearthed: The Power of Gardening looks back at the evolution of gardening in driving social change, the impacts on mental wellbeing and alleviating climate change effects.

Opening this week, 2 May, until 10 August 2025, the exhibition is housed in the British Library, London.

Built with bio-based materials, the exhibition begins in a shed-like structure, where it looks at the very early gardening manuals. It features the first English annual from 1563, and the first manual for women from 1617.

Illustrated herbal in Old English. England, about 1000–25. From the archive of the British Library

The exhibition is to highlight that “gardening is more than the nation’s favourite pastime,” says lead curator Maddy Smith. She says that because gardening is enjoyed by a wide demographic, the history should be available to see as it grows in popularity.

Unearthed explores the relevance to our lives through four categories. Gardening to nurture, gardening together, gardening and global exchange, and gardening with the planet.

Highlights within the exhibition include the oldest illustrations of herbal remedies, says co-curator Antonia Moon. Her favourite part of Unearthed, it is also the oldest item in the exhibition.

Valentina Mirabella, co-curator, notes “gardening helps shape communities and has played an important role in the political and activism movement.” ‘Gardening together’ exhibits the union of city and country to form a garden city for communities.

Wardian case, 19th century. Credit The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

One of the two surviving 19th century Victorian Wardian cases in the UK is exhibited in ‘Gardening and global exchange’, and Smith comments, “it had a huge impact on the economy, and the domestic gardening trade, because suddenly there was such a sheer variety of plants available for gardeners to grow in the UK.” She adds:

“Gardening connects us to our past, grounds us in the present and encourages us to look ahead to the future.”

Featuring several short films from grass-roots gardening organisation, Coco Collective, a pollinator video installation by Alexandra Daisy Ginsberg, and 10 futuristic garden designs on display in the library’s free entrance.