In the BeginningEven before the Imperial War Graves

Commission was formally constituted in 1917

attempts were already being made by the Army

Graves Registration and Enquiries, with

assistance from the Red Cross, to make burial

grounds along the Western Front less bleak by

growing annual and perennial flowers, grass,

shrubs and trees.

In 1916 the Assistant Director of the Royal

Botanic Gardens at Kew was asked to visit

cemeteries in France and to make

recommendations about the plants that should

be grown, thus beginning an association that has

lasted to the present day.

As the pattern for the future maintenance of the

cemeteries evolved in the immediate aftermath

of the war, horticulture played an important part,

and the architects worked together with

horticulturists on the overall design of

cemeteries. Some of the Commission’s principal

architects, in particular Sir Edwin Lutyens,

already had considerable experience of the

sympathetic combination of structural and

horticultural elements: the ideas of Lutyens’

horticultural mentor, Gertrude Jekyll, had a great

influence in the cemeteries through the use of

cottage-garden plants and roses in the headstone

borders. The use of perennials shown overleaf

at Couin British Cemetery demonstrates from

the very early years how important these plants

were to the first landscape designers.

Commonwealth War Graves Commission

InformationSheet

Delhi War Cemetery

The Commission’s Horticulture

a different variety can be used as a ‘break’ between rows

in the same plot. Flower borders are extended behind

certain rows of headstones to add a further dimension to

the plantings. Dwarf and low growing shrubs, herbaceous

perennials, grasses and ground-covering plants are chosen

to extend the floral display. Low shrubs, often clipped, are

planted at the ends of the borders to give definition to the

grass avenues between the plots.

Lawns are used in cemeteries throughout the world where

a sufficient water supply is sustainable. They provide the

appropriate setting for the headstone borders, and the

absence of paths contributes to the simplicity of design of

the cemeteries as a whole. Other horticultural features,

such as trees, shrubberies, hedges and sometimes pergolas

contribute to the architectural layout of a cemetery,

helping to give interest, form and coherence to the

design, in addition to providing shelter, obscuring

unwanted sights and defining boundaries.

This form of horticultural treatment was applied in

France and Flanders after the First World War and

in many other places; but in some, such as Turkey

and Thailand, the use of pedestal grave markers

instead of headstones made a different kind of

flower border necessary. Pedestal borders consist

of bronze or stone plaques mounted on concrete

The concept was to create a sentimental

association between the gardens of home and

the foreign fields where the soldiers lie, and

the Commission continues this tradition today

by planting species native to its member

countries in cemeteries wherever possible.

Aims of the Commission’sHorticulture WorkThe overall aim behind the horticultural

design of a cemetery is to give the effect of a

garden rather than the common concept of a

cemetery; a place where the harmonious

combination of the various elements may help

the visitor to achieve a sense of peace in a

beautiful and serene setting. The manifest

care with which the cemeteries are tended

should also bear witness to the fact that the

sacrifice of those who lie there is still

remembered.

Horticulture in CommissionCemeteriesEach headstone front border is between 45

and 60 cm wide and is planted with a mixture

of herbaceous perennials and floribunda

roses. The plants immediately in front of

headstones are low growing so that the

engraved personal inscription is not obscured,

and they also prevent soil from splashing the

headstones during rain. Those between the

headstones are taller. Plants are selected

which provide variety in texture, height and

timing of floral display. A typical border

planting scheme is made up of an association

of some 20 plant species, which is repeated in

phases down the row of headstones. The

roses planted in a particular row and plot are

of the same variety as each other but a rose of

Heverlee War Cemetery, Belgium, with insert of Gertrude Jekyll

Couin British Cemetery, France, early 1920s

The Gardens

Ancona War Cemetery, Italy

Beach Cemetery, Gallipoli, Turkey

Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, Thailand

a different variety can be used as a ‘break’ between rows

in the same plot. Flower borders are extended behind

certain rows of headstones to add a further dimension to

the plantings. Dwarf and low growing shrubs, herbaceous

perennials, grasses and ground-covering plants are chosen

to extend the floral display. Low shrubs, often clipped, are

planted at the ends of the borders to give definition to the

grass avenues between the plots.

Lawns are used in cemeteries throughout the world where

a sufficient water supply is sustainable. They provide the

appropriate setting for the headstone borders, and the

absence of paths contributes to the simplicity of design of

the cemeteries as a whole. Other horticultural features,

such as trees, shrubberies, hedges and sometimes pergolas

contribute to the architectural layout of a cemetery,

helping to give interest, form and coherence to the

design, in addition to providing shelter, obscuring

unwanted sights and defining boundaries.

This form of horticultural treatment was applied in

France and Flanders after the First World War and

in many other places; but in some, such as Turkey

and Thailand, the use of pedestal grave markers

instead of headstones made a different kind of

flower border necessary. Pedestal borders consist

of bronze or stone plaques mounted on concrete

The concept was to create a sentimental

association between the gardens of home and

the foreign fields where the soldiers lie, and

the Commission continues this tradition today

by planting species native to its member

countries in cemeteries wherever possible.

Aims of the Commission’sHorticulture WorkThe overall aim behind the horticultural

design of a cemetery is to give the effect of a

garden rather than the common concept of a

cemetery; a place where the harmonious

combination of the various elements may help

the visitor to achieve a sense of peace in a

beautiful and serene setting. The manifest

care with which the cemeteries are tended

should also bear witness to the fact that the

sacrifice of those who lie there is still

remembered.

Horticulture in CommissionCemeteriesEach headstone front border is between 45

and 60 cm wide and is planted with a mixture

of herbaceous perennials and floribunda

roses. The plants immediately in front of

headstones are low growing so that the

engraved personal inscription is not obscured,

and they also prevent soil from splashing the

headstones during rain. Those between the

headstones are taller. Plants are selected

which provide variety in texture, height and

timing of floral display. A typical border

planting scheme is made up of an association

of some 20 plant species, which is repeated in

phases down the row of headstones. The

roses planted in a particular row and plot are

of the same variety as each other but a rose of

Heverlee War Cemetery, Belgium, with insert of Gertrude Jekyll

Couin British Cemetery, France, early 1920s

The Gardens

Ancona War Cemetery, Italy

Beach Cemetery, Gallipoli, Turkey

Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, Thailand

and drought-tolerant seed mixtures are being selected

to provide resilience during the long, dry summer

months. Trials of trickle irrigation have commenced to

provide water to pedestal border plants in the hope that

hand watering can be reduced. Turf is also being

watered in this way. There are cemeteries in certain

locations, such as El Alamein in Egypt and Tobruk in

Libya and many others, where the natural desert

landscape invites a different approach to planting. In

these situations there are no lawns and the plants are

selected for their drought tolerance. In Rhodes War

Cemetery, Greece, the proximity to the sea and the

long, dry summers invited a slightly different solution.

Pebbles are used instead of grass and the colourful

borders are set in these producing quite a different, but

satisfying result reflecting also the dry, local landscape.

Wherever possible, however, the Commission

continues to use lawns with herbaceous borders.

The total ground area within the Commission’scontrol is about 710 hectares, of which over 450hectares are under fine horticultural maintenance.

bases, in a border of flowering perennials. The plants chosen are dwarf in harmony

with the low pedestals and are arranged in specific schemes, similar to those in

headstone borders.

IrrigationWhere natural rainfall is insufficient, in

countries such as Italy and Greece, irrigation

systems have been installed. Computer

controlled systems enable water to be

provided during the night to reduce

evaporation and minimise wastage. In

Gallipoli, the impracticality of providing

irrigation because of limited water supplies

and the hostile terrain meant another

approach had to be taken. Grass is still used

Perth War Cemetery, Australia

El Alamein War Cemetery, Egypt

Perth Cemetery (China Wall), Belgiumabove: Rhodes War Cemetery, Greece

left: Delville Wood Cemetery, France

below: Harrogate (Stonefall) Cemetery,United Kingdom

Aix Noulette Communal Cemeteryand Extension, France

and drought-tolerant seed mixtures are being selected

to provide resilience during the long, dry summer

months. Trials of trickle irrigation have commenced to

provide water to pedestal border plants in the hope that

hand watering can be reduced. Turf is also being

watered in this way. There are cemeteries in certain

locations, such as El Alamein in Egypt and Tobruk in

Libya and many others, where the natural desert

landscape invites a different approach to planting. In

these situations there are no lawns and the plants are

selected for their drought tolerance. In Rhodes War

Cemetery, Greece, the proximity to the sea and the

long, dry summers invited a slightly different solution.

Pebbles are used instead of grass and the colourful

borders are set in these producing quite a different, but

satisfying result reflecting also the dry, local landscape.

Wherever possible, however, the Commission

continues to use lawns with herbaceous borders.

The total ground area within the Commission’scontrol is about 710 hectares, of which over 450hectares are under fine horticultural maintenance.

bases, in a border of flowering perennials. The plants chosen are dwarf in harmony

with the low pedestals and are arranged in specific schemes, similar to those in

headstone borders.

IrrigationWhere natural rainfall is insufficient, in

countries such as Italy and Greece, irrigation

systems have been installed. Computer

controlled systems enable water to be

provided during the night to reduce

evaporation and minimise wastage. In

Gallipoli, the impracticality of providing

irrigation because of limited water supplies

and the hostile terrain meant another

approach had to be taken. Grass is still used

Perth War Cemetery, Australia

El Alamein War Cemetery, Egypt

Perth Cemetery (China Wall), Belgiumabove: Rhodes War Cemetery, Greece

left: Delville Wood Cemetery, France

below: Harrogate (Stonefall) Cemetery,United Kingdom

Aix Noulette Communal Cemeteryand Extension, France

heading; when growth ceases the

equally important winter tasks of

cultivating and replanting the

headstone and pedestal borders and

relevelling and resowing turf take over.

Hedges, shrubberies and trees are also

planted during the dormant season in

temperate regions. The pattern will

differ in the tropics where constant

maintenance is generally the norm, but

the same careful attention to the craft

of gardening is given the world over.

Although the fundamentals of

horticultural design and practice have

not been altered over the years, the

Commission is constantly evaluating

new ideas and equipment that become

available. Judicious use is made of

residual herbicides for the control of

weeds in headstone borders, with the

selection and choice of pesticides

carefully monitored to ensure minimal

risk to operators and the environment.

In order to operate successfully,

however, a careful balance has to be

struck between herbicide application

and replanting of borders. This entails

a systematic approach to replanting,

which is organised around a five year

cycle in northern Europe. This in turn

has facilitated the ordering of new

plants, some of which (for instance

roses) are often contract-grown by

specialist suppliers. Herbaceous plants,

shrubs and trees are generally

purchased from outside nurseries but

many groups and static sites have local

facilities to propagate border plants in

situ and by natural division. The

complexities of planning plant and

material supplies for a very large

number of cemeteries can now be

better controlled with the assistance of

computers.

Gardening on such a large scale

inevitably leads to much plant waste,

woody and herbaceous, as various

operations are carried out. It is the

Commission’s aim to recycle as much

of this as possible by modern

composting techniques and returning

the finished product to the borders or

turf, eliminating if at all possible the

need to dispose of green waste. This

practice is aided by the use of powerful

compost shredders, screeners and

turners.

Ever since the Commission

experimented with powered lawn

mowers in the 1920s, the potential

benefits of new technology have been

appreciated in helping to lighten the

gardener’s load; and for many years

now items such as compact tractors

and matched equipment, stump

grinders, woodchippers, powered

edge-trimmers, leaf-blowers and

collectors, scarifiers, aerators,

overseeders and rotovators have been

added to the gardeners’ arsenal.

Mechanical equipment is expensive

and must be replaced before it needs

major repairs. All machines have

specific life expectancies based on the

experience of use in the field. The aim

of maintenance programs is to extract

as long a life as possible before

incurring higher costs of repair.

Gardening is a labour-intensive business,

especially when the aim is to achieve the

standards the Commission aspires to, and

although the number of gardeners

employed has decreased in recent years

as advantage has been taken of the

possibilities afforded by new technology,

the majority of the Commission’s staff

around the world (some 900) are still

gardeners. Some cemeteries are

maintained under arrangements made

with other Commonwealth countries,

and war graves in civil cemeteries are

often maintained under contract with the

local authority or lanscape contractor, but

the majority of Commonwealth war

graves around the world are maintained

by the Commission’s staff.

The method of maintenance varies and

depends upon a number of factors.

Where there are many cemeteries within

a limited geographic area, as is the case

along the Western Front of the First

World War, in northern Italy or on the

Gallipoli peninsula in Turkey, mobile teams

of gardeners, operating from a local base,

travel around in vans with their

equipment. Elsewhere cemeteries are

maintained by static staff, and a small

cemetery might be looked after by a

single gardener working part-time. In

addition to mobile groups of gardeners,

there are also specialist tree-teams in

France, Belgium and Greece, trained and

supplied with the full range of modern

equipment and machinery. Elsewhere

tree work is often put out to contract.

Throughout the growing season there is a

ceaseless round of mowing, hoeing,

edging, scarification, pruning and dead-

The Commission’s multinational workforceA mobile team Mowing Scarifying

Edging Relaying turf Cleaning headstones

Maintenance

Nairobi War Cemetery, Kenya

Thaba Tshwane (New) Military Cemetery,South Africa

Cassino War Cemetery, Italy

heading; when growth ceases the

equally important winter tasks of

cultivating and replanting the

headstone and pedestal borders and

relevelling and resowing turf take over.

Hedges, shrubberies and trees are also

planted during the dormant season in

temperate regions. The pattern will

differ in the tropics where constant

maintenance is generally the norm, but

the same careful attention to the craft

of gardening is given the world over.

Although the fundamentals of

horticultural design and practice have

not been altered over the years, the

Commission is constantly evaluating

new ideas and equipment that become

available. Judicious use is made of

residual herbicides for the control of

weeds in headstone borders, with the

selection and choice of pesticides

carefully monitored to ensure minimal

risk to operators and the environment.

In order to operate successfully,

however, a careful balance has to be

struck between herbicide application

and replanting of borders. This entails

a systematic approach to replanting,

which is organised around a five year

cycle in northern Europe. This in turn

has facilitated the ordering of new

plants, some of which (for instance

roses) are often contract-grown by

specialist suppliers. Herbaceous plants,

shrubs and trees are generally

purchased from outside nurseries but

many groups and static sites have local

facilities to propagate border plants in

situ and by natural division. The

complexities of planning plant and

material supplies for a very large

number of cemeteries can now be

better controlled with the assistance of

computers.

Gardening on such a large scale

inevitably leads to much plant waste,

woody and herbaceous, as various

operations are carried out. It is the

Commission’s aim to recycle as much

of this as possible by modern

composting techniques and returning

the finished product to the borders or

turf, eliminating if at all possible the

need to dispose of green waste. This

practice is aided by the use of powerful

compost shredders, screeners and

turners.

Ever since the Commission

experimented with powered lawn

mowers in the 1920s, the potential

benefits of new technology have been

appreciated in helping to lighten the

gardener’s load; and for many years

now items such as compact tractors

and matched equipment, stump

grinders, woodchippers, powered

edge-trimmers, leaf-blowers and

collectors, scarifiers, aerators,

overseeders and rotovators have been

added to the gardeners’ arsenal.

Mechanical equipment is expensive

and must be replaced before it needs

major repairs. All machines have

specific life expectancies based on the

experience of use in the field. The aim

of maintenance programs is to extract

as long a life as possible before

incurring higher costs of repair.

Gardening is a labour-intensive business,

especially when the aim is to achieve the

standards the Commission aspires to, and

although the number of gardeners

employed has decreased in recent years

as advantage has been taken of the

possibilities afforded by new technology,

the majority of the Commission’s staff

around the world (some 900) are still

gardeners. Some cemeteries are

maintained under arrangements made

with other Commonwealth countries,

and war graves in civil cemeteries are

often maintained under contract with the

local authority or lanscape contractor, but

the majority of Commonwealth war

graves around the world are maintained

by the Commission’s staff.

The method of maintenance varies and

depends upon a number of factors.

Where there are many cemeteries within

a limited geographic area, as is the case

along the Western Front of the First

World War, in northern Italy or on the

Gallipoli peninsula in Turkey, mobile teams

of gardeners, operating from a local base,

travel around in vans with their

equipment. Elsewhere cemeteries are

maintained by static staff, and a small

cemetery might be looked after by a

single gardener working part-time. In

addition to mobile groups of gardeners,

there are also specialist tree-teams in

France, Belgium and Greece, trained and

supplied with the full range of modern

equipment and machinery. Elsewhere

tree work is often put out to contract.

Throughout the growing season there is a

ceaseless round of mowing, hoeing,

edging, scarification, pruning and dead-

The Commission’s multinational workforceA mobile team Mowing Scarifying

Edging Relaying turf Cleaning headstones

Maintenance

Nairobi War Cemetery, Kenya

Thaba Tshwane (New) Military Cemetery,South Africa

Cassino War Cemetery, Italy

The Commission is committed to the

professional development of its

gardening staff. Many garderers who are

recruited in the United Kingdom have

formal horticultural qualifications. For

local staff who have no formal

qualifications there is a system of

modular training covering all aspects of

horticultural work in a cemetery. Local

staff can progress through the grading

structure to a higher grade following the

successful completion of a module.

Management and supervisory staff, when

on site, assist in this training process.

Training in specialist skills such as tree

surgery, chain saw usage, machinery

maintenance, the safe use of pesticides

and personal development is carried out

by external trainers.

The Commission’s gardening staff in

northern Europe consists partly of

Commonwealth expatriate gardeners

and partly of gardeners recruited within

the country, the latter now considerably

outnumbering the former. In southern

Europe, Africa and Asia all the gardening

staff are nationals of the countries

concerned. In many cases sons and

grandsons of former gardeners are

carrying on a family tradition by working

for the Commission. Gardeners are

supported by technical supervisory staff

- Head Gardeners, Horticultural

Supervisors and Managers and a

Director of Horticulture in the

maintenance of more than 2,500 war

cemeteries, plots and memorial grounds

throughout the world.

The Commonwealth War Graves

Commission is responsible for marking and

maintaining the graves of those members of

the Commonwealth forces who died during

the two world wars, for building and

maintaining memorials to the dead whose

graves are unknown and for providing

records and registers of these burials and

commemorations, totalling 1.7 million and

found in most countries throughout the

world.

Enquiries on location of individual burials or

commemorations may be directed to the

office below or through the Commission's

Internet site at www.cwgc.org.

For further information contact:

Commonwealth War GravesCommission2 Marlow RoadMaidenheadBerkshireSL6 7DXUnited Kingdom Tel: +44 (0) 1628 507200

+44 (0) 1628 507149Fax: +44 (0) 1628 771208E-mail: enquiries@cwgc.org

The Gardeners

Published by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, 2 Marlow Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 7DX, United Kingdom 04/04

Spreading compost at Labuan War Cemetery, Malaysia

Forking over the borders at Delhi War Cemetery, India