There was a time when decorative wreaths appeared on front doors in December, stayed on front doors for a few weeks, and then disappeared.

Now red and gold autumn wreaths and Halloween wreaths are popping up everywhere. These seasonal displays are part of a wider social media fashion for “doorscaping”.

It is easy to see the appeal. A wreath introduces colour, foliage and a little seasonal personality without much effort. But this enthusiasm for decorating the front door raises an interesting possibility: could it encourage people to pay more attention to the garden immediately below?

Choosing a wreath and choosing plants for a front garden can both be ways of making the entrance to a home more attractive. A study of 1,000 people in England found that creating something beautiful was one motivation for front gardening. People motivated by appearance also tended to have greener front gardens.

That does not mean wreath enthusiasts will necessarily become gardeners. But the same interest in seasonal colour and decoration could encourage some to try planting around their front door.

And British front gardens could benefit from more........

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