Garden History

Reasons for studying garden history

If you are to get the most enjoyment out of a painting, then some knowledge of painting techniques and styles will assist you. Likewise, to fully appreciate a game of cricket then a basic grounding in the rules and tactics of play is important. In a similar way, it can be argued that in order to fully understand garden design and the role of gardens in today’s world, an appreciation of the evolution of garden history is extremely beneficial. You may know how being in a particular garden makes you feel in terms of being relaxed, stimulated, and so forth, but without understanding what it is about the components and layout of the garden that triggers those feelings, you are likely to lack some insight. Through knowledge of how garden trends have developed over time it is possible to gain a more informed understanding and appreciation of gardens. As with anything in life, the past informs the present.

The history of the garden is also an important adjunct to the history of civilisations around the world. For instance, the ancient Egyptian gardens provide insight into the values, ideals, and beliefs of that society. The first gardens were an extension of religion and were often annexed to temples. They represented man’s perception of an earthly paradise. Water, a scarce resource, was highly valued and was incorporated into these gardens to symbolise the ‘river of life‘. These gardens were owned by the wealthy and water was brought to them by slaves. Gardens at this time were also useful as well as idealistic. They were designed to incorporate a ready supply of fruit and vegetables for their owners. Gardens were typically walled to protect them from marauders and the harshness of the desert to provide sanctuary and shade.

Throughout the course of history gardens have adapted to changes in the social environment, politics, and ideals. In the UK, for example, gardens have been influenced over the centuries by invasions of different races. Gardens from the Roman era introduced vines, chestnuts and topiary. During the Dark Ages, walled monastery gardens provided refuge for monks. These gardens were self-sufficient and supplied food through vegetables, herbs, fruits, and fishponds as well as an area for contemplation and meditation. Saxon gardens are widely regarded as the origin of the cottage garden. The emphasis was on security and it was not until the Tudor period that this emphasis was relaxed and the garden became an extension of the house. The inclusion and exclusion of nature in the garden has vacillated over time. By studying these different fashions and needs, the garden historian is able to understand the significance of gardens and the importance of their design.

In today’s world, as with years gone by, gardens represent man’s attempt to come to terms with his surroundings. These gardens also correspond to ideals and desires and are indicative of the values of our societies today. For city dwellers they are perhaps the only means by which many people can interact with nature and express their creativity. Gardens provide a refuge from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, technology, and industry, and afford their owners the opportunity to find equilibrium in their lives. In order for gardens, whether communal or private, to provide satisfaction in the way that gardens from the past did for their owners, it is important to know why certain garden elements were utilised and to either remove them or adapt them to their surroundings to represent the thoughts and ideals of today’s world.

Lesson Structure

There are 8 lessons in this course:

1. Introduction
   • Review of garden history
   • Reasons for studying garden history
   • Scope and nature of garden conservation today
2. Development of Private Gardens
   • The historical development of parks and gardens to the present day
   • Key factors such as wealth, status, war, travel and function
   • Influence they have had on styles of gardens and designed landscapes
3. Development of Public and Commercial Landscapes
   • Parks, Streetscapes, Commercial landscapes
   • The historical development of parks & gardens to the present day
   • Identifying key factors such as wealth, status, war, travel and function
   • The influence they have had on styles of gardens and designed landscapes.
4. Great Gardens and Gardeners of the World
   • Key individuals such as designers, horticulturists, plant hunters and writers who have influenced horticulture
   • Study of range of gardens and designed landscapes such as landscape parks, botanic gardens, public parks, private gardens etc,
   • Study examples of gardens and designed landscapes associated with individuals and illustrate the association both from historic and contemporary perspectives
5. People who Influenced Gardens other than Designers
   • Gardeners, Plant Collectors and Writers
   • Key individuals such as designers, horticulturists, plant hunters and writers who have influenced horticulture.
   • Gardens and designed landscapes including landscape parks, botanic gardens, public parks, private gardens etc.
   • Examples of gardens and designed landscapes associated with individuals and illustrate the association both from historic and contemporary perspectives)
6. Globalisation of Gardens
   • Different garden histories and cultures being adapted and applied in modern gardens
   • Range of gardens and designed landscapes such as landscape parks, botanic gardens, public parks, private gardens etc.
   • Examples of gardens and designed landscapes associated with individuals and illustrate the association both from historic and contemporary perspectives)
7. Scope and Nature of Modern Garden Conservation
   • The value of gardens and designed landscapes in terms such as education, heritage, leisure, tourism, plant conservation, economy and conservation of skills.
   • Threats to these landscapes
   • Available mitigation measures including legal safeguards
   • Planning policy, planning law and planning bodies.
8. Role of Organisations in Garden Conservation
   • The role of English Heritage and it’s equivalents in promoting and protecting significant landscapes
   • Register of Parks & Gardens of Special Historic Interest
   • Role of other organisations such as CABE Space, Local authorities, Historic Houses Association, Garden History Society, National Trust, RHS, Council for conservation of plants, and private owners of gardens.

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.