Historical Development of Gardens Part 2

In the previous part, we discussed the origins of gardens. In this continuation, we'll outline how they evolved to their present-day form.

What About Europe?

In Europe, there was a gradual transition from Greek art to spiritual reality. The medieval garden was conceived more in terms of utility, and therefore appearance no longer played such an important role.

Everything that existed merely for decoration or pleasure was considered sinful during this period.

Gardens were located primarily around country houses or in the confined spaces of urban dwellings. You would find in them, for example, medicinal and symbolic plants, vegetables, fruit trees, pools, gazebos, and the much-loved turf benches.

Monastic Gardens

Thanks to the church, which had considerable influence, monastic gardens experienced their greatest development. The main duty of some orders was precisely to work in these gardens, where medicinal herbs were most commonly grown. Monastic gardens were divided into several functional sections and were located in the middle of monastery complexes. An essential component was the paradise courtyard or viridarium, in which ornamental plants were grown, most often roses and lilies.

The gardens were quartered by paths and in the centre there was a fountain or well. Separate gardens typically included a vegetable garden, medicinal plant garden, and also hop fields, vineyards, or orchards. Roman garden culture was thus reflected to some extent only in these monastic gardens.

Transition to the Renaissance

The Renaissance brought significant changes to garden art, as Christian motifs were replaced by a rational approach to art and life. The areas of bourgeois gardens expanded, and the construction of inaccessible castles was replaced by manor houses with spacious gardens and parks.

Great emphasis was placed on the artistic aspect and the connection between garden and manor house. If we were to mention some elements, it's necessary to note regular geometric layouts, hedges, ornamental flowerbeds, trimmed mazes, and fences.

Baroque

In the Baroque period, there was an effort to connect the garden with the landscape, which is why gardens extended into the distance until they gradually merged together. This was the most significant period of creative activity in garden architecture, reinforcing the aesthetic impression.

Classicism

Main paths were arranged in an eight-pointed star, and in France, so-called vista bridges were created.

From the end of the 18th century, garden design moved away from regular elements and transitioned to free nature.

The Arrival of Romanticism

Gardens feature artificial ruins, caves, and hermitages. In England, agricultural landscapes are being created, featuring pastures and paths with hedgerows.

The natural English style spreads throughout Europe. In our region, an example is the garden in the Lednice-Valtice complex.

The New Art Nouveau Style

It develops at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries in Europe and North America. Typical for this period were intricately formed, flowing curves, ornaments, linearity, and asymmetry. Gardens were created with large lawn and water areas. Pergolas, garden furniture, and basically all equipment predominantly feature white color.

The Beginning of the 21st Century

The formal style is replaced by naturalness and elements of wild nature. These gardens are characterized by asymmetry and abstraction, and are further complemented by various geometric elements and gentle curves.

Sand is combined with pebbles, plants, and smaller water features. Gradually, postmodernism arrives, where everyone strives for originality and seeking new directions.

In the 21st century, elements from Chinese and Japanese garden styles are widely used.

Contemporary gardens should be enchanting environments for relaxation, where people feel good and where their personality is reflected. There are no limits to imagination.

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