In no other country in the world are more gardens open to the general public than in England. There is both a huge variety of styles and a big selection of plants. The list of international wellknown gardens is long. Gardens like Sissinghurst and Stourhead show the special character and greatness of the English Garden; however, each garden has its own flair and expresses the sometimes quite eccentric personality of the owner or creator. Besides, in England a person who renders gardening a great service gains honour and fame. For many gardening is more a prestigious rather than plainly a leisure activity. The art of the garden plays an important role in English society in general. The garden authority with the most influence is the “Royal Horticultural Society”, which has nearly 250,000 members. The garden festivals they arrange are popular social events. Moreover, the National Trust is a famous and very important institution concerning conservation work. The full name stands for the principles of this charity: “The National Trust for Places of Historic Interest and Natural Beauty”. One aim of their work is to care for over 230 gardens in Great Britain. Apart from this, Britain has a very favourable climate. Frost-free zones for tropical plants as well as cold and windy weather can be found in only one county - e.g. in Cornwall. That makes it possible to get so different impressions of a landscape in a small part of the country and the climate meets the requirements for the 120,000 different species of plants growing in British gardens. The vividness of the English garden history in the present art of garden is remarkable. Many ideas were taken over from former garden styles like planting lavender, rosemary and ivy which were all brought to England by the Romans and can be find in all gardens today. Maybe the typical English garden like the continental people might see it is the English Landscaped Garden, which is the English contribution to the garden history.The recent head gardener of the Trelissick Gardens (National Trust), Barry Champion, may answer the question why the English people of all nations are famous for their love of gardens.He thinks that there is a difference in the art of gardening for example between the Germans and the English. [...]
Table of Contents
1. The Fascinating English Garden
2. The History of the English Garden
2.1 The Renaissance Garden in England
2.2 The Baroque and Rococo Garden in England
2.3 The English Landscaped Garden
2.4 English Garden Theories in the 18th and 19th Century
2.5 The Victorian or Formal Garden
2.6 The Garden during the Arts and Crafts Movement
2.7 The Modern Garden
2.8 The Continuance of the Classical Garden
2.9 The Twentieth Century
Objectives and Themes
The primary objective of this work is to explore the historical development and the cultural significance of the English garden, examining how diverse styles and philosophical approaches have shaped this unique horticultural tradition over centuries. It addresses the research question of how the "Englishness" of gardens has evolved from the Renaissance period to the modern era.
- Historical evolution of English garden design from the Renaissance to the 20th century.
- Influence of foreign garden art models and their adaptation within the English context.
- Role of social, political, and economic factors in shaping landscape preferences.
- Significance of key movements, specifically the English Landscaped Garden and the Arts and Crafts Movement.
- Impact of gardening theory and institutional influences on modern horticultural practices.
Excerpt from the Book
2.3 The English Landscaped Garden
On the 23rd of December in 1734 Sir Thomas Robinson wrote to his father-in-law Charles Howard, Earl of Carlisle, the following letter:
Vor kurzem hat sich ein neuer Geschmack im Anlegen von Gärten herausgebildet, der mit solchem Erfolg im Garten des Prinzen in der Stadt [Carlton House] angewandt wurde, dass eine umfassende Veränderung einiger der bedeutendsten Gärten des Königreiches begonnen wurde, und zwar nach der Art von Herrn Kent. Das heißt, man legt sie an, indem man ohne Lot und Richtschnur arbeitet. Aufgrund dieser Methode sind die 12 Acres des prinzlichen Gartens meiner Ansicht nach wirklich abwechslungsreicher und von einer größeren Vielfalt als alles andere dieser Größe, was ich je zuvor gesehen habe; und diese Methode, Gärten anzulegen, ist außerdem wesentlich ansprechender, denn wenn sie fertig sind, vermitteln sie den Eindruck, als handle es sich um ein Stück der schönen Natur selbst, und wenn es einem nicht gesagt wird, glaubt man, die Kunst hätte keinen Anteil an ihrer Herstellung. [...] Die berühmten Gärten von Claremont, Chiswick und Stowe sind zur Zeit voller Arbeiter, um die teuren Anlagen, die zu einer Zeit, an die sich jeder noch erinnert, angelegt wurden, zu modernisieren.
Summary of Chapters
1. The Fascinating English Garden: An introduction to the cultural importance of gardening in England, highlighting the influence of institutions and the diverse variety of garden styles found in the country.
2. The History of the English Garden: A comprehensive chronological overview tracing the development of garden aesthetics from Roman origins through the various stylistic transformations up to the 20th century.
2.1 The Renaissance Garden in England: Details the Early Tudor period and the emergence of features like the gazebo, knot gardens, and the characteristic sunken garden.
2.2 The Baroque and Rococo Garden in England: Explores the influence of French models on English baroque design, characterized by geometric order and the integration of water features.
2.3 The English Landscaped Garden: Analyzes the pivotal shift toward naturalism and picturesque landscapes, heavily influenced by William Kent and the introduction of the "ha-ha".
2.4 English Garden Theories in the 18th and 19th Century: Examines the theoretical differentiation between garden and park as defined by thinkers like William Gilpin and Humphry Repton.
2.5 The Victorian or Formal Garden: Discusses the romanticized, ornate, and highly colourful gardening style that served as a counter-movement to the earlier landscape gardens.
2.6 The Garden during the Arts and Crafts Movement: Focuses on the harmony between architecture and nature, emphasizing the role of craftsmanship and figures like Gertrude Jekyll.
2.7 The Modern Garden: Reviews the limited impact of modernism between the world wars and the subsequent austerity in garden design.
2.8 The Continuance of the Classical Garden: Describes the efforts of designers like Geoffrey Jellicoe to revive classical garden traditions amidst modern architectural shifts.
2.9 The Twentieth Century: Concludes with a reflection on the diversity of contemporary garden types and the enduring blend of nostalgia and individual creativity in English gardening.
Keywords
English Garden, Garden History, Landscaped Garden, Renaissance, Baroque, Arts and Crafts Movement, Gertrude Jekyll, Humphry Repton, Garden Theory, Landscape Design, Victorian Garden, Horticulture, Garden Culture, Nature, Aesthetics.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this work fundamentally about?
This work provides an analytical overview of the history of English gardens, examining the progression of styles and the cultural values attached to gardening in England throughout history.
What are the central thematic areas covered?
The core themes include the architectural evolution of garden design, the influence of social and economic shifts on landscaping, and the interplay between nature and human intervention.
What is the primary objective of this research?
The goal is to trace the development of the "English Garden" and identify the factors—ranging from political climate to individual eccentricities—that have established it as a unique cultural phenomenon.
Which scientific methods are employed?
The work utilizes a historical-analytical approach, drawing upon archival letters, garden theory literature, and chronological documentation of garden design movements.
What is covered in the main section of the book?
The main section moves chronologically from the Renaissance through the Baroque, the era of the English Landscaped Garden, the Victorian era, the Arts and Crafts Movement, and finally into the Modern and 20th-century developments.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include Garden History, English Landscaped Garden, Arts and Crafts Movement, Garden Theory, and Horticulture.
What role did the "ha-ha" play in the evolution of the English garden?
The "ha-ha" was a significant innovation that allowed for clear boundaries without obstructing the visual continuity between the garden and the surrounding landscape, supporting the picturesque-idyllic aesthetic.
How did the Arts and Crafts Movement change the relationship between house and garden?
This movement sought to create uniformity, ensuring the garden was not separated from the house but rather integrated as a natural extension, emphasizing the role of the gardener as an artist-craftsman.
Why does the author consider the English garden an expression of personality?
The author suggests that beyond strict design principles, the eccentricities and personal "spirit" of the garden's creator or owner are what give each English garden its unique character and charm.
- Quote paper
- Susanne Busch (Author), 2001, The History Of the English Garden, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/59185
