It’s Yours, So Now Put Your Stamp On It!

Historians believe that the first gardens were created in ~10,000 B.C. While crop areas were likely cordoned off for practical reasons at first, gardens evolved as populations increased and human intellect and interests and curiosity grew. From that social structures and hierarchy developed. Then garden design for individual expression, and aesthetics (desired look or feeling) came into play. Let’s take a look at how gardens have developed over time and let’s see if we just can’t parlay some of the desired features into our own “gardenscapes.” Make sure you are ready to add to your garden and travel vision board, or wishlists!

While physical remnants of ancient gardens are limited, historians have used other artifacts that were a means of recording ancient culture and practices, such as the tomb drawings of ancient Egyptians and artist sketches, sculptures and written descriptions of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon which was considered to be one of the seven world wonders of ancient times. It seems that with the earliest introductions of ornamental gardens (those planted for aesthetics), came the focus on symmetry.

Ancient Egyptian gardens began with water features as their center of focus. This meant lotus ponds (usually rectangular) with fish for the wealthy, often surrounded by symmetrical rows of date trees, palms, or acacia trees. Interspersed may have been stone sculptures and pergolas covered in grape vines. Wealthy Egyptians hired gardeners to tend their gardens and were able to employ use of irrigation systems, known as a shadufs. Poor citizens planted solely edible gardens. Those who were not royalty or elite, had gardens which were located near water sources such as rivers and canals, as possible, and likely had to transport water manually.

According to depictions in ancient carvings and paintings, ornamental gardens consisted of papyrus, lotus, poppies and cornflowers. Patches of ornamental flowers and specific vegetables and herbs were often planted in sacred areas, often near sculptures or tombs dedicated to specific deities, and for related ceremony.

Container Garden Takeaways:

While you may not have the space or budget for a large central lotus pond, you can add a water feature on a smaller scale by using a large decorative bowl or planter, pedestal bird bath or bird bath bowl, adding the recommended soil blend, gravel or pebbles, water and adding lotus plants or water lilies. Use the links below to learn more.

https://www.containerwatergardens.net/growing-lotus/

https://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/3338

If you like the idea of including trees, dependent upon your grow zone, potted palms and a variety of potted fruit tree options may be available. You can pot papyrus, as well, but it does best in warmer, southern U.S. zones (grow zones 9-11). Check your local nurseries and click here for our post about growing fruit trees in containers.

Ancient Egyptian Ornamental Garden Plants:

*Check with your nursery and do your research to ensure selections are compatible with your grow zone. Most of these ornamentals require larger pots to accommodate their growth. Some can be adaptable in cooler climates, if brought indoors during cold months; Cornflowers prefer drier soil.

The tale of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, describes how a system of tunnels and canals were built, permitting water to be transported across land and uphill to irrigate a magnificent tiered garden built by king Nebuchadnezzar II, which reportedly flourished so well that it became a world attraction. While there are not physical remnants to this date, sketches and printed references offer quite a bit for the imagination. Below is a drawing of what these gardens may have looked like, and a couple of modern locations to add to your travel list. Notice the similarities.

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Historians are not in agreement whether these gardens were actually fact or fiction. The location of Babylon (area of present-day Iraq), also suggests that it could have been the site of The Garden of Eden. Like other ancient gardeners, Babylonians used arbors and structures similar to pergolas in conjunction with vining plants for natural shade, and also developed the use of courtyards in building design. Babylonians may have also been among the first to use garden beds designed in symmetrical patterns and borders, adding ornamental elements to practical gardening. This is akin to the symmetric patterns noted in the Gardens of Versailles (parterres), thousands of years later. These gardening practices have also been noted amongst other nations of Mesopotamia according to historians’ reports.

Container Garden Takeaways:

Use a stacked or tiered planting system or planter arrangement, whether by adding grading (via steps or platforms) to your garden area, shelves, plant stands, or hanging planters at different heights to achieve the hanging or floating aesthetic of the gardens of Babylon.

Use symmetry when positioning your planters and garden accessories or decor.

Consider the look and feel of parterres when selecting decor like rugs, pots, lanterns, or when selecting or decorating pots, and when decorating garden spaces.

Add arbors, pergolas or trellises, to accommodate the needs of plants in your garden and get the added bonus of shade and the beauty of nature at work.

Though Babylon was conquered by Persia, gardening traditions continued. Persian gardens were based upon an axis of symmetry, where earlier gardens were centered upon trees, typically dates or palms, and then later, centered on a water feature like that of ancient Egypt. Persian gardens employed one of the first sophisticated irrigation systems for which there is evidence, forming aqueducts and tunnels to transport water from underground aquifers to garden areas. Aside from geometric patterns and vibrant color, Persian garden design includes the blending of outdoor and indoor features, which is why there are often archways between indoor/outdoor water features or areas, and inner courtyards bordered by garden areas. Imagine a breezeway on an epic scale!

Persian/Iranian Gardens and Design

Container Garden Takeaways:

You may not have the ability to create elaborate arbors or arches connecting your outdoor garden space to your home, but you may be able to toss in an awning or a half umbrella.

And that piece about blending outdoors and indoor features? You can add an outdoor rug to your patio, deck or porch area, and pick a symmetrical, geometric pattern to boot! Click here to view some options.

Another option is to arrange your containers relative to a line of symmetry, with a water feature, tree, or “starring” plant or crop as the center of focus.

I am sure you noticed the intricate tilework and mosaic geometric style in Persian design. The origins of mosaic design are believed to be in Mesopotamia, almost 5,000 years ago! If this look is on your wishlist, similar styling and patterns on table tops and accent pieces can be purchased, unless of course you are handy and want to create your own.

Getaway Gardens Accents:

Egyptian agriculture and Persian garden design and practices were introduced to Greece and Rome. Ancient Greek and Roman gardens, like their influences, relied greatly upon symmetry and incorporated sculptures and pictures of the human form.

Due to Greece’s Mediterranean climate, for extended periods, conditions were arid and water scarce, so plants were potted, heat tolerant and drought resistant, and like many gardeners in arid conditions before and during their time, Greek citizens used the natural landscape, building features, and other manmade structures to provide shade (arbors, trellises, pergolas for ivy and bougainvillea vines to climb). White-washed stone was used on buildings, homes, and backdrops to decrease heat retention.

In Greece, the gardens were primarily assigned to temple areas, while in Rome citizens had access to public gardens and private gardens were available to the wealthy. In Rome, the elite designed gardens for pleasure, private locations typically with a fountain at its center, surrounded by topiaries, arbors or pergolas with grapevines, and fruit trees, where they could entertain or languish alone, to cool off, enjoy nature and possibly the art (usually sculptures) they commissioned solely for their garden space.

Container Garden Takeaways:

A Greek-Inspired Garden may follow a symmetrical arrangement and include potted citrus trees, potted hardy herbs like oregano, thyme, rosemary, lavender, trellises or arbors covered by ivy or flowering vines with bright blooms, and maybe a white backdrop.

There are flowering vines that can be grown in large planters, when placed at the base of an arbor or trellis, the vines can climb as desired. Just be certain that you learn the climate requirements and degree of invasiveness for any vines you select. See the links below for more ideas.

https://www.hgtv.com/outdoors/flowers-and-plants/groundcover-and-vines/18-valuable-vines-to-plant-in-your-garden–pictures

https://www.thespruce.com/fabulous-flowering-vines-for-your-containers-847968

Greek Gardens:

A Roman-Inspired Garden may follow a symmetrical arrangement and include all of the above, less the whitewashing, but with a central water feature, potted evergreens, possibly some stone sculptures or accessories (even little cherubs or gnomes are okay if that’s your thing), and maybe even a potted olive tree for good measure.

As the Roman empire was on the decline, the Byzantine empire was on the rise in Europe. During this time, what was desirable in gardens changed with religious leadership, the interests of the emperors, and decreasing city sizes. Private gardens became smaller, were often enclosed, and more often devoid of nude sculptures as they were considered pagan during the times of rising Christianity. Although private gardens had changed in scale, they were still quite popular and greater plant varieties and amenities such as water features, and garden wall paintings were signs of status.

It was not until the Renaissance era that the art of gardening experienced another transformation. During the Italian Renaissance, mythology and fantasy became popular in gardens once more, and the emphasis of symmetry as a reflection of beauty and order took flight. Gardens were positioned to be looked down upon from the villas and palaces of the wealthy, as were views of the city. The addition of water features was plentiful as water was representative of nature and vitality. This influenced both Spain and France.

Italian Renaissance Gardens

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During this period, the Spanish monarchy created public gardens at home and abroad in the Americas, and began to feature Italian sculptures, as well as more water features, topiaries, citrus trees, and in some cases, grottoes, in its garden design. Islam was prominent in Spain during this time, and thus Islamic influences in architecture and gardening were prevalent. Islamic design was inspired by mosque structure and influenced by Mesopotamian, Persian, Byzantine, and Roman architecture and design, becoming a mixture of them all, as their lands were conquered by Muslims. This blend took on a life and style of its own under the leadership of the Moors.

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The Italian Renaissance was also a catalyst for what later became known as the French Baroque style (part of the French Renaissance), which was also represented in gardening. French baroque style gardening was completed with flourish, emphasizing symmetry, and on greater scale, detail and complexity. It was meant to be dramatic and all about grandeur. The culmination of this style in gardening can be seen in the Gardens of Versailles, where an axial garden design was used to create a vast garden in honor of Louis XIV, placing the royal palace at the center of the garden, and positioning designated garden areas on specific coordinates, and on varied grading/planes, such that the palace dominates the horizon and the garden appears to reach to infinity. The orderly garden design was to demonstrate Louis XIV’s domination of nature as well as all in his domain.

Numerous sculptures and water features were placed throughout the different garden areas, only visible once the area had been reached. Sculptures were designed and ordered to portray stories, including ancient mythological tales. Specific gardens were designated for specific entertainment purposes and public gatherings including members of the court.

Click here to view photo galleries and virtual tours of the Gardens of Versailles

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Container Garden Takeaways:

I don’t know about you, but I don’t have quite as many acres to tend to, nor hired gardeners or area for lawn or hedges in my container garden area. However, I know that dwarf evergreens like those surrounding the parterres can be purchased from nurseries and potted if I wanted to add similar green accents or borders. Years ago, I used dwarf Alberta spruce along a border of my patio garden. It is a very hardy option that maintains its shape.

Potted Evergreens:

https://www.homedepot.com/s/dwarf%2520evergreens?NCNI-5

https://www.thisoldhouse.com/landscaping/21018905/small-evergreens-big-impact

https://www.thetreecenter.com/evergreen-trees/dwarf-evergreens/

Or you can go the miniature route:

https://twogreenthumbs.com/

Do you like the touch of the parterres? You can purchase an outdoor rug with similar patterns, purchase a planter with symmetrical geometric design, or even stencil similar symmetrical patterns onto a planter(s) or bowls to be used in the garden area.

Would you like a water feature? You can purchase fountains from nurseries or online. For a more inexpensive water feature, you can purchase a pedestal bird bath, bird bath bowl or fountain bowl, or even use a shallow bowl or planter you already have.

If you just add stones and a small bit of water (shallow), you now have a butterfly puddler and/or water source for bees. Another option for puddlers is to add sand or gravel to your container first, and then spread out a few large flat stones placed on top before adding the water.

If you add more water and a small water pump, you now have a bird bath or fountain!

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What other garden features can you include in your container garden? I bet there are some we haven’t even considered. A good place to look for inspiration could be a visit to a botanic garden. Below are links for two world-renown botanic gardens that might spark your inner garden/artist. You can even search their gallery and description of plants they have selected to represent varies countries or regions and their corresponding gardening styles. Enjoy the journey!

*Stay tuned for our next segment in which you can learn about the gardens of ancient civilizations in the area of North America, gardening in Asia and other areas of Europe, and ways to use their design for inspiration in your own container gardens.

Brooklyn Botanic Gardens

Kew Gardens