Historical Contexts - Topic 2 (Planting Styles), Element 1 Flashcards
What is the definition of garden style?
Style refers to the way in which we express ideas and organise materials, plants, colours and ornaments to create a composition that can be understood and appreciated.
What are the three central design ideas that underpin many garden styles?
- Formality
- Informality
- Classicism
What does formality in garden design imply?
A rigid observance of convention or etiquette, representing order, power, control, balance, and a sense of peace and unity.
What is informality in gardening?
A rejection of formality, with denser planting that spills out in a natural way.
How has informality in gardening gained popularity?
It has become popular due to increased home ownership, environmental concerns, and recognition of biodiversity loss.
What does classicism in the arts refer to?
The high regard given to the period known as classical antiquity, specifically the culture and art from ancient Greece and Rome.
What are common features of classicist gardens?
- Statuary
- Follies
- Bridges
What type of planting choices are commonly associated with classical gardens?
- Box
- Laurel
- Lavender
- Cupressus sempervivens (Italian cypress)
From which period did the classical style continue to influence garden design?
From the Renaissance period and influenced design right up to the Victorian period and beyond.
What was a driving force behind the reverence of classical Greece and Rome?
A desire to embrace scientific learning and reject the superstition of earlier centuries.
True or False: Theophrastus developed a system of plant systematics almost two thousand years before Linnaeus.
True
Na
Fill in the blank: Classical style represented a particular interpretation of classical Greek and Roman philosophy; a desire to embrace _______.
[scientific learning]
What issues arise from the representation of beauty in ancient world sculptures?
Unadorned white marble is used to represent white, smooth skin, prompting uncomfortable questions around the legacy of race and racism.
What is the significance of the classical style in terms of its influence on garden design?
It has persisted for hundreds of years and continues to influence garden design today.
What cultural influences were often misinterpreted in western gardens?
Important and influential garden styles from Islamic, Mughal, Japanese, and Chinese cultures.
What does the term ‘whitewashing ancient statues’ refer to?
The practice of representing ancient figures in white marble, reflecting issues of race and cultural dominance.
What is the time period associated with the Renaissance garden style?
c1450 - c1600s
What does the term ‘Renaissance’ mean?
‘Rebirth’
Which key design principle is central to Renaissance gardens?
Central axis
List key elements of Renaissance garden design.
- Formal hedges
- Clipped topiary
- Symmetrical ponds
- Fountains
- Classical references
What is the significance of symmetry in Renaissance gardens?
Symmetry and geometry are key elements in the Renaissance style
What is the relationship between the house and the garden in Renaissance design?
The garden design emanates from the house
What are common features of Renaissance gardens?
- Formal hedges
- Clipped topiary
- Frescoes and murals
- Large symmetrical ponds
- Fountains
True or False: The Baroque movement influenced Renaissance gardens.
True
What is ‘The Natural style’ associated with?
Landscape style
What movement followed the Renaissance style in garden design?
Landscape style
Who were key figures in the development of the Landscape style?
- Sir Richard Temple, 1st Viscount Cobham
- William Kent
- Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown
What political context influenced the Landscape style?
A need to create a distinctly English style, rejecting French influences
What key feature defines the Landscape style?
Rolling expansive, undulating lawns
What does ‘ha-ha’ refer to in Landscape gardens?
A walled ditch designed to be invisible, protecting estates while preserving views
Fill in the blank: The Picturesque style incorporates a sense of _______.
Wildness
What was the reaction of the Picturesque style against?
- Capability Brown’s rolling lawns
- Stiff formality of Renaissance style
Who were the critics that attacked Capability Brown’s style?
- Richard Payne Knight
- Sir Uvedale Price
What natural features are emphasized in the Picturesque style?
Naturalistic water features, such as streams
What is the importance of ‘borrowed landscape’ in garden design?
Incorporating views from beyond the garden into the design
Name an example of a garden that reflects the Picturesque style.
Central Park, New York
What is a defining characteristic of the Picturesque style compared to earlier styles?
A busier, more unkempt appearance
Which tree species is noted for its wild, spreading limbs in Picturesque gardens?
Persian ironwood (Parrotia persica)
Na
garden design.
What is the significance of features and plantings being appropriate to period and style in historic landscapes?
It ensures the authenticity and integrity of the garden’s historical context.
Acknowledgment of inappropriate features can detract from the historical value.
Na
What period does the Gardenesque style correspond to?
The height of British imperial power during Queen Victoria’s reign (1837 - 1901).
This period saw increased global trade and the movement of plants.
Na
What layout characteristics are typical of Gardenesque gardens?
- Symmetrical layouts
- Abstract shapes
- Use of containers for specimen plants
The focus was on showcasing individual plants rather than their natural environment.
What philosophy did the Arts and Crafts movement embody in garden design?
A renaissance in hand-crafted, locally sourced, and ‘simple’ rural style.
This was a reaction against industrial mass production.
What are some indicative features of the Arts and Crafts garden?
- Garden ‘rooms’
- Lush close plantings
- Naturalistic drifts of flowers
- Hand-crafted hard landscaping
The style often blends formality with informality.
Who were the intellectual influences behind the Arts and Crafts movement?
- John Ruskin
- William Morris
Both advocated for the improvement of people’s lives through the arts.
What is the purpose of a wild garden?
To break down imposed formality and reduce human impact on gardens.
This concept has gained popularity with the environmental movement.
Who was an early proponent of the wild garden philosophy?
William Robinson
He introduced ideas like mixed herbaceous borders and naturalistic planting.
What are the benefits of higher plant density in gardens?
- Reduces evaporation
- Provides habitat for wildlife
- Improves soil structure
High plant density helps mitigate environmental issues.
What influences modern garden styles?
Environmental realities and the need for resilience against climate change.
Modern gardens often incorporate both formal and informal elements.
What is the ‘New Perennial’ movement in garden design?
A style using perennials and grasses for a fluid, naturalistic look.
Spearheaded by Piet Oudolf, it focuses on seasonal interest and wildlife support.
Na
What modern garden feature helps maximize growing areas in urban environments?
Green walls
These are essential in smaller gardens due to increasing population density.
True or False: The Arts and Crafts style is often criticized for its perceived lack of authenticity.
True
Critics viewed its idealized view of history as ‘snobbish’.
Fill in the blank: The Gardenesque garden celebrates the _______.
[individual plant]
This style emphasizes showcasing plants as specimens.
What is a common maintenance requirement for bedding plants in the Gardenesque style?
Frequent watering, feeding, and deadheading.
This style is considered high maintenance.
What materials are used in modern garden design for contrast?
Warm pine and white stone
These materials provide contrast and enhance the overall aesthetic.
What is a key characteristic of modern garden trends?
Low maintenance
Many modern gardens require minimal upkeep, making them more appealing to gardeners.
What maintenance is required for wildflower meadows?
Cut back once at the end of the growing season
This practice helps maintain the meadow’s health and appearance.
What is necessary for prairie planting style?
Deadheading of flowering perennials
This process helps to prolong blooming and improve the visual display.
What should be considered regarding the use of plastic in modern gardens?
Cost of manufacture and disposal
The environmental impact of plastic elements is significant in modern garden designs.
Are modern gardens necessarily more sustainable?
Not necessarily
Sustainability in gardening is complex and not solely defined by modern practices.
What historical challenges resonate with modern garden sustainability?
Growing and storing produce, protecting from weather, using water effectively
These challenges highlight the ongoing relevance of historical gardening practices.
What theme is reflected in the design of historical gardens?
Power and privilege of the wealthy
Historical gardens often symbolize the status of their affluent owners.
What types of people historically spent money on gardens?
Royalty and aristocracy
Examples include Japanese shoguns, Egyptian pharaohs, and British upper classes.
How has the accessibility of gardening changed over time?
Has become more accessible and democratic
Increased access to gardening reflects broader social changes.
