GARDENING Through The Ages

Time-travel from Ancient Egypt to the Swinging Sixties in this look back at gardening trends throughout history

- MADISON MOULTON

Ancient Egypt

Jumping back around 4000 years, we come across the first well-recorded instances of personal or private gardens. These were created for pleasure and relaxation, not purely food production, and also had a decorative purpose in public spaces. Much like modern South African gardens, creating shade and saving water were key tenets, while sharp geometry dominated design. Gardens featured sycamore and date palms, as well as ornamental flowers like jasmine.

Medieval Gardens

Gardens were also an important feature in medieval times, particularly in European monasteries. But, unlike in Ancient Egypt, their main purpose was practical. Medicinal plants, vegetables and fruits were planted in neat rows, and ponds were used to keep fish for protein. A common feature of monastery gardens we are all familiar with today is raised beds, used to improve drainage and separate plants. Running water fountains also added a touch of elegance and calm to these enclosed spaces.

Renaissance

First emerging in Italy, Renaissance gardens championed the concepts of indoor-outdoor living. Instead of enclosing the garden space, the Renaissance introduced a flow between the living space, outdoor space and the surrounding garden. Garden design echoed the artistic flair of the time, focusing on symmetry and impressiveness. Dotted with fountains, statues and well-kept ornamental plants, they were considered artworks in their own right.

Victorian England