Feb 10
27
The Surprising History Of Water Gardens
If asked the majority of people would say that the garden pond hobby is a relatively new phenomenon. The main reasons for this being its increasing cover on TV and in media circles.
In actual fact it has been around for thousands of years, offering enjoyment and inspiration in peoples day to day and religious activities.
As far as is known the earliest records of people creating water gardens for relaxation and delight date back to about 3000 BC. The ancient Egyptians laid out formal ponds often surrounded by fruit trees and decorative plants and grasses in the walled courtyards of their houses.
Wealthy Roman houses tended to be designed around a large colonnaded central courtyard with pools, fountains and water features, providing shade on hot afternoons and a means of escape from the often frantic and dirty streets outside. However, public baths often had a water garden area where the common public could relax away from their daily problems.
Set in connected, enclosed courtyards the Persians and Moors produced amazingly beautiful water gardens. The water courses and pools were built with brightly coloured ceramic tiles and together with a formal design to join the various courtyards, these gardens had an intimate and luxurious feel. The Moors and Persians also used fruit trees and ornamental plants carefully arranged in formal compositions.
The peoples of Japan and China have been perfecting the art of water gardening for thousands of years. There it truly is an art, practised by the masters of the craft. The teachings of zen, harmony, peace of mind and restraint are used to carefully design and create the individual persons ideal of their perfect environment. Japanese water gardens principally focus on a large, deep and clear pond devoid of plant life but housing any number of attractively colourful koi carp.
Unlike the gardens of the Moors and Egyptians the Japanese garden is not really a place for fruit trees. The position of every tree and flower is carefully contemplated, spiritual comfort and pleasure the only goals.
In Europe over recent centuries only the super rich and royalty could afford the decadence and luxury of ornate water gardens, you need only look at the huge amount of great homes in Europe with extensive watercourses and bodies.
Its only in the last few decades that we have enjoyed a real Water Garden Renaissance, with it expanding and growing as more and more people come to understand how spiritually relaxing and revitalising a well planned water garden can be.
Mark Best writes articles that help people to design and Build a Garden Pond of their own. And how to choose the right equipment and the best Garden Pond Design for their garden.
Related Reading:
Raised Bed Gardens - A Natural Solution For Proper Plant GrowthRaised bed gardening is not new, but more people are discovering this great solution for small areas. You don't have to be an experienced farmer in order to grow your own vegetables, but you will need the will to succeed.Learn about the best soil composition, some tips on what to include in your mixture and advice about retention walls. Why it is never a good idea to use treated wood!
This no fluff ebook contains 27 pages devoted to raised bed gardens and dispenses advice on how to get the most out of your limited space.
