Gardens & Garden Design

Were one to have the desire to create a Medieval or Renaissance style garden on their property in this age, how would one go about it? There are many different options, based on time period and locale. As is true today, there were different gardens to fill different needs. Assuming the noble standing that is taken for granted in the Current Middle Ages, most individuals would maintain multiple different styles of gardens on their estates. These gardens would range from fruit orchards and grain fields to vegetable and herb gardens. Also included would be gardens planted for pleasure, beauty and recreation.

An online exhibit, featuring the gardens of ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece, and Rome.

Some spiritual/religious content, but a lot of history and detailed how-to's. Chartre's Labyrinth was built in the 1200's; many pictures.

The development of the garden in the Middle Ages (focusing especially on German gardens), and different types and functions of gardens.

Includes articles and diagrams of gardens.

Details from period illustrations of gardens, including walls & enclosures, furniture, water features, and beds.

Ideas for garden layout arrangements, fencing, water features, benches, arbors, potted plants, and lawns.

A landscape design expert in Penn State' s College of Agricultur al Sciences points out that gardens created between 500 and 1500 A.D. offered a respite for the soul, as well as a source for food, household items and medicine.

Researching the flowers named in medieval times as symbols of the Virgin Mary.

Classical influences on medieval and Renaissance gardens; period records; technical terms for sections of a medieval garden; types and functions of enclosures; plantings; potted plants; raised beds; walks and pathways; seats; water features; statuary; structures; mazes and labyrinths; knotwork and parterres; garden placement; heating outdoor gardens; different types of gardens, with their uses; plants in medieval gardens; and a bibliography.

A bibliography of material available on agricultural practices in the Middle Ages.

Ancient, medieval and modern people have been tucking herbs into tiny gardens from time immemorial, and so can you.

This group is dedicated to gardening, especially medieval gardening. Extant written and artistic references, study and theory, but mostly practical application to re-created gardens, how to build them and how to grow them.

Gardening basics, regional reports, Buyer's guide.

Links to related articles.

An introducti on to medieval plants and gardening practices by way of the gardens of The Cloisters.

True stories, fables, and anecdotes from the Middle Ages.

Features photographs of Japanese gardens designed from ancient times up to the 20th century.

Noteworthy Gardens, Events, Persons, Publications, and Facts in the History of Gardening
References and Web Links Organized by Time Periods
Some Information about Agriculture, Farming, Culinary Arts, Botany, Horticulture, Technology, Arts and Crafts

A blog about medieval plants and gardens, and specifical ly about the gardens at the Cloisters Museum.

On the Elizabetha n garden and the condition of horticultu re in Shakespear e's time. Includes descriptio ns and references to earlier gardens as well.

How to Cultivate a Kitchen Garden and Orchard

The Second Booke of the English Husbandman. Contayning the Ordering of the Kitchen-Garden, and the Planting of Strange Flowers: the breeding of all manner of Cattell. Together with the Cures, the feeding of Cattell, the Ordering both of Pastures and Meddow-ground: with the use both of high-wood and under-wood.