A Journey Through the History of Garden Styles
WORK UNIT 7: A History of Garden Styles
1. Historical Applications of Gardens
Throughout history, gardens have served various purposes. Here are some examples of garden styles that reflect these applications:
- Gardens as Places for Rest and Recreation: These gardens prioritize ornamental beauty and tranquility. Examples include the classical Persian gardens and the Japanese Zen gardens.
- Practical Gardens: These gardens focus on functionality, cultivating fruits, vegetables, herbs, and medicinal plants. Examples include medieval kitchen gardens and monastery gardens.
- Botanical Gardens: These gardens serve as study sites, showcasing plant families, species descriptions, and acclimatization processes.
2. Garden Styles Throughout History
Garden styles can be categorized as formal or informal, rectilinear or sinuous, architectural or naturalistic. These styles have evolved over time, reflecting cultural and aesthetic preferences.
3. Origins of Gardening: Egypt and China
The art of gardening emerged independently in two distinct regions: Egypt and China.
Egyptian gardens were based on small, irrigated farms in the desert, while Chinese gardens originated from imperial hunting parks, rich in plant life.
4. Key Moments in Garden History
- Rome and Greece before the 5th century
- Persian and Arab gardens during the 9th to 14th centuries
- The Italian Renaissance from the 16th to the 18th century, leading to the French garden
- Public and utilitarian gardens of the 20th and early 21st centuries
5. Dominance of Regular/Geometric Gardens
Regular and geometric gardens were often found in residential areas and cultivated spaces. They were easier to maintain and control compared to landscapes with challenging terrain. This practicality contributed to their dominance for many centuries.
6. Trends in Garden Styles
Several trends have shaped the evolution of garden styles:
- Formal and Architectural: This trend originated in Egypt, continued through Rome and the Italian Renaissance, and culminated in the grandeur of the French garden. It emphasizes symmetry, order, and the use of architectural elements like statues, fountains, and pergolas.
- Plant-Focused: This trend, with roots in Persia and the Arab world, emphasizes the use of plants within structured layouts. It features elements like fountains, canals, hedges, and flowerpots. Examples include the Hispano-Arabic garden and the medieval cloister garden.
- Naturalistic: This trend, originating in China and Greece, emphasizes the integration of the garden with the natural landscape. It influenced the development of the English landscape garden and continues to inspire contemporary garden design.
7. Characteristics of Egyptian Gardens
- Highly evolved layouts
- Strong aesthetic sense
- Advanced agricultural techniques
- Sophisticated hydraulic systems
8. Evolution of Roman Gardens
Roman gardens evolved from rustic villas into elaborate orchard-gardens that spread throughout Rome, becoming accessible to more than just the elite.
9. Medieval Garden Campuses
Medieval gardens often featured distinct areas with specific functions:
- Vergel: Orchard with fruit trees, shrubs, and ornamentals.
- Utility Garden: Cultivated medicinal herbs and legumes.
- Ornamental Garden: Featured flowers like roses, violets, lilies, and jasmine.
10. Characteristics of Hispano Gardens
- Prominent use of water as a decorative element
- Extensive use of brightly colored ceramic tiles
- Common plant species include cypress, orange, lemon, boxwood, lavender, and geraniums
- Simple decorative elements, often excluding human figures due to religious restrictions
11. Characteristics of Italian Gardens
- Sculptural quality, often integrated into hillsides
- Emphasis on intellectual stimulation
- Use of mazes
- Artificial water features symbolizing fertility and abundance
12. Characteristics of French Gardens
- Inspired by Italian gardens but adapted to the French context
- Building placed in the background
- Central axis formed by a grand, tree-lined avenue
- Abundant use of water features, especially fountains
13. Characteristics of English Gardens
- Irregular style
- Diverse flower beds and edging styles
- Incorporation of temples and obelisks
- Emphasis on scale, simplicity, and horticultural interest
14. The Modern Mediterranean-Style Garden
The modern Mediterranean garden is designed for relaxation, featuring a tiled pool reflecting the sky and sea. Terraces with cypress and citrus trees provide shade, color, fragrance, and visual contrast.