Our 2025 series, Fleurs de Villes Downton Abbey, has now made its global debut in Bal Harbour. Let’s explore the role that gardening and flowers played in the Edwardian era England where the series began.

The critically acclaimed Downton Abbey television series and movie adaptations masterfully recreate the Edwardian era and early 20th century, capturing the elegance, traditions, and social changes of the time. Among its many visually stunning elements, the show’s use of flowers and gardens is particularly significant, reflecting the era’s values, aesthetics, and cultural shifts. From grand estate gardens to delicate floral arrangements within Downton, flowers played an essential role in daily life, social events, and even the symbolism of the series.

GARDENS AS A REFLECTION OF STATUS AND TRADITION

During the early 20th century, large country estates like the fictional Downton Abbey prided themselves on their expansive gardens, which were not only sources of beauty but also indicators of wealth and refinement. Inspired by the grandeur of real-life English estates such as Highclere Castle, the series showcases beautifully manicured lawns, rose gardens, and walled kitchen gardens that mirror the aristocratic lifestyle of the Crawley family.

The gardens of such estates were meticulously designed and maintained by a team of skilled gardeners, led by a head gardener. These professionals ensured that the flowers and landscaping aligned with the latest trends, such as the Arts and Crafts movement, which emphasized a harmonious blend of natural beauty and formal structure. Downton Abbey frequently highlights these vast outdoor spaces, showing them as places of leisure for the upper class and a source of employment for the working class, reinforcing the rigid social hierarchies of the time.

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FLORAL SYMBOLISM IN THE SERIES

Flowers in Downton Abbey are not just decorative elements but also carry deep symbolism. Roses, commonly seen in the Crawley family's gardens, represent love, beauty, and aristocratic heritage. In contrast, wildflowers, often associated with characters like Lady Sybil, symbolize freedom and change, reflecting her rebellious spirit and progressive ideals. Not to mention, the numerous floral-inspired character names both upstairs and downstairs: Lady Rose, Marigold, Violet, and Daisy, to name a few.

Moreover, flowers frequently accompany significant moments in the show. Weddings, funerals, and social gatherings are all adorned with carefully chosen floral arrangements that align with Victorian and Edwardian flower language. For instance, lilies and white roses at funerals convey purity and remembrance, while opulent floral displays at lavish dinners highlight the family's status and adherence to tradition. Since white was associated with death, wedding flowers briefly became more colourful after WWI and the Spanish flu epidemic, as seen with the (spoiler alert!) purple and orange blooms for the would-be wedding of Lavinia and Matthew. However, the Mary's simple bouquet of calla lilies mirror her straightforward and elegant nature, while keeping with the fashions of the new decade. As the series moved into the Roaring Twenties, flowers became more lavish and decadent. Despite a Registry Office wedding, lavish towers of blooms were a prominent décor feature of the reception for Lady Rose and Atticus Aldridge in the season five finale.

Several notable scenes emphasize the role of flowers, particularly roses, in the narrative, and a simple gathering of creamy garden roses even features in the show’s opening credits. Matthew proposes to Lady Mary in the snow-covered gardens, a breathtaking contrast between the stark winter landscape and the resilience of their love, symbolized by the nearby rose bushes. At a ball held for Lady Rose's coming out, large arrangements of roses bloom around the room, symbolizing her blooming into a young woman in society. In the first season, the annual Downton Village Flower Show is a visually stunning event where the carefully curated floral arrangements reflect the Crawley family’s wealth and prestige, while also serving as a backdrop for key plot developments, such as a battle between Violet, Dowager Countess and Mr. Molesley for the title of "Best Roses".

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THE ROLE OF THE CUTTING AND KITCHEN GARDENS

Beyond ornamental gardens, Downton Abbey also portrays practical aspects of gardening, such as the estate’s kitchen gardens, which provided fresh produce and herbs for the household. These gardens were essential for self-sufficiency, even in grand homes. The show subtly emphasizes how estate gardening adapted to the challenges of war and social change, reflecting real historical shifts such as the Dig for Victory movement during World War I.

Similarly, cutting gardens supplied fresh flowers for indoor arrangements, which were a hallmark of Edwardian decor. The carefully arranged bouquets in the drawing rooms and dining halls of Downton Abbey added to the authenticity of the period setting and demonstrated the importance of floral aesthetics in high society.

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Fleurs de Villes Downton Abbey is licensed by Universal Studios Licensing LLC © 2025 Focus Features LLC.