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RHS Level 2 Unit 2 > Historical Contexts - Topic 2 (Planting Styles), Element 1 > Flashcards

Historical Contexts - Topic 2 (Planting Styles), Element 1 Flashcards

1
Q

What is the definition of garden style?

A

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.

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2
Q

What are the three central design ideas that underpin many garden styles?

A
  • Formality
  • Informality
  • Classicism
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3
Q

What does formality in garden design imply?

A

A rigid observance of convention or etiquette, representing order, power, control, balance, and a sense of peace and unity.

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4
Q

What is informality in gardening?

A

A rejection of formality, with denser planting that spills out in a natural way.

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5
Q

How has informality in gardening gained popularity?

A

It has become popular due to increased home ownership, environmental concerns, and recognition of biodiversity loss.

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6
Q

What does classicism in the arts refer to?

A

The high regard given to the period known as classical antiquity, specifically the culture and art from ancient Greece and Rome.

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7
Q

What are common features of classicist gardens?

A
  • Statuary
  • Follies
  • Bridges
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8
Q

What type of planting choices are commonly associated with classical gardens?

A
  • Box
  • Laurel
  • Lavender
  • Cupressus sempervivens (Italian cypress)
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9
Q

From which period did the classical style continue to influence garden design?

A

From the Renaissance period and influenced design right up to the Victorian period and beyond.

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10
Q

What was a driving force behind the reverence of classical Greece and Rome?

A

A desire to embrace scientific learning and reject the superstition of earlier centuries.

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11
Q

True or False: Theophrastus developed a system of plant systematics almost two thousand years before Linnaeus.

A

True

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12
Q

What critical interpretation is associated with the reverence for classical styles?

A

It reflects a need to project the Mediterranean as the dominant world culture while undermining achievements in other parts of the world.

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13
Q

Fill in the blank: Classical style represented a particular interpretation of classical Greek and Roman philosophy; a desire to embrace _______.

A

[scientific learning]

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14
Q

What issues arise from the representation of beauty in ancient world sculptures?

A

Unadorned white marble is used to represent white, smooth skin, prompting uncomfortable questions around the legacy of race and racism.

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15
Q

What is the significance of the classical style in terms of its influence on garden design?

A

It has persisted for hundreds of years and continues to influence garden design today.

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16
Q

What cultural influences were often misinterpreted in western gardens?

A

Important and influential garden styles from Islamic, Mughal, Japanese, and Chinese cultures.

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17
Q

What does the term ‘whitewashing ancient statues’ refer to?

A

The practice of representing ancient figures in white marble, reflecting issues of race and cultural dominance.

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18
Q

What is the time period associated with the Renaissance garden style?

A

c1450 - c1600s

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19
Q

What does the term ‘Renaissance’ mean?

A

‘Rebirth’

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20
Q

Which key design principle is central to Renaissance gardens?

A

Central axis

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21
Q

List key elements of Renaissance garden design.

A
  • Formal hedges
  • Clipped topiary
  • Symmetrical ponds
  • Fountains
  • Classical references
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22
Q

What is the significance of symmetry in Renaissance gardens?

A

Symmetry and geometry are key elements in the Renaissance style

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23
Q

What is the relationship between the house and the garden in Renaissance design?

A

The garden design emanates from the house

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24
Q

What are common features of Renaissance gardens?

A
  • Formal hedges
  • Clipped topiary
  • Frescoes and murals
  • Large symmetrical ponds
  • Fountains
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25
Q

True or False: The Baroque movement influenced Renaissance gardens.

A

True

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26
Q

What is ‘The Natural style’ associated with?

A

Landscape style

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27
Q

What movement followed the Renaissance style in garden design?

A

Landscape style

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28
Q

Who were key figures in the development of the Landscape style?

A
  • Sir Richard Temple, 1st Viscount Cobham
  • William Kent
  • Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown
29
Q

What political context influenced the Landscape style?

A

A need to create a distinctly English style, rejecting French influences

30
Q

What key feature defines the Landscape style?

A

Rolling expansive, undulating lawns

31
Q

What does ‘ha-ha’ refer to in Landscape gardens?

A

A walled ditch designed to be invisible, protecting estates while preserving views

32
Q

Fill in the blank: The Picturesque style incorporates a sense of _______.

A

Wildness

33
Q

What was the reaction of the Picturesque style against?

A
  • Capability Brown’s rolling lawns
  • Stiff formality of Renaissance style
34
Q

Who were the critics that attacked Capability Brown’s style?

A
  • Richard Payne Knight
  • Sir Uvedale Price
35
Q

What natural features are emphasized in the Picturesque style?

A

Naturalistic water features, such as streams

36
Q

What is the importance of ‘borrowed landscape’ in garden design?

A

Incorporating views from beyond the garden into the design

37
Q

Name an example of a garden that reflects the Picturesque style.

A

Central Park, New York

38
Q

What is a defining characteristic of the Picturesque style compared to earlier styles?

A

A busier, more unkempt appearance

39
Q

Which tree species is noted for its wild, spreading limbs in Picturesque gardens?

A

Persian ironwood (Parrotia persica)

40
Q

What are the key design characteristics of historical landscapes and gardens relevant to the heritage sector?

A
  • Gardenesque
  • Arts and Crafts Gardens
  • The wild garden
  • Modern garden styles

These styles reflect different periods and philosophies in garden design.

41
Q

What is the significance of features and plantings being appropriate to period and style in historic landscapes?

A

It ensures the authenticity and integrity of the garden’s historical context.

Acknowledgment of inappropriate features can detract from the historical value.

42
Q

Who was the most influential garden designer at the start of the nineteenth century?

A

John Loudon

Loudon was a prolific writer and designer, shaping early garden aesthetics.

43
Q

What period does the Gardenesque style correspond to?

A

The height of British imperial power during Queen Victoria’s reign (1837 - 1901).

This period saw increased global trade and the movement of plants.

44
Q

What types of plants became popular during the Gardenesque period?

A
  • Dahlia
  • Begonia

These are examples of frost-tender plants that were widely used.

45
Q

What layout characteristics are typical of Gardenesque gardens?

A
  • Symmetrical layouts
  • Abstract shapes
  • Use of containers for specimen plants

The focus was on showcasing individual plants rather than their natural environment.

46
Q

What philosophy did the Arts and Crafts movement embody in garden design?

A

A renaissance in hand-crafted, locally sourced, and ‘simple’ rural style.

This was a reaction against industrial mass production.

47
Q

What are some indicative features of the Arts and Crafts garden?

A
  • Garden ‘rooms’
  • Lush close plantings
  • Naturalistic drifts of flowers
  • Hand-crafted hard landscaping

The style often blends formality with informality.

48
Q

Who were the intellectual influences behind the Arts and Crafts movement?

A
  • John Ruskin
  • William Morris

Both advocated for the improvement of people’s lives through the arts.

49
Q

What is the purpose of a wild garden?

A

To break down imposed formality and reduce human impact on gardens.

This concept has gained popularity with the environmental movement.

50
Q

Who was an early proponent of the wild garden philosophy?

A

William Robinson

He introduced ideas like mixed herbaceous borders and naturalistic planting.

51
Q

What are the benefits of higher plant density in gardens?

A
  • Reduces evaporation
  • Provides habitat for wildlife
  • Improves soil structure

High plant density helps mitigate environmental issues.

52
Q

What influences modern garden styles?

A

Environmental realities and the need for resilience against climate change.

Modern gardens often incorporate both formal and informal elements.

53
Q

What is the ‘New Perennial’ movement in garden design?

A

A style using perennials and grasses for a fluid, naturalistic look.

Spearheaded by Piet Oudolf, it focuses on seasonal interest and wildlife support.

54
Q

What is a characteristic of a wildflower meadow in modern gardens?

A

It aims to reverse habitat loss and attract pollinators.

The UK has lost 97% of its meadows in the last hundred years.

55
Q

What modern garden feature helps maximize growing areas in urban environments?

A

Green walls

These are essential in smaller gardens due to increasing population density.

56
Q

True or False: The Arts and Crafts style is often criticized for its perceived lack of authenticity.

A

True

Critics viewed its idealized view of history as ‘snobbish’.

57
Q

Fill in the blank: The Gardenesque garden celebrates the _______.

A

[individual plant]

This style emphasizes showcasing plants as specimens.

58
Q

What is a common maintenance requirement for bedding plants in the Gardenesque style?

A

Frequent watering, feeding, and deadheading.

This style is considered high maintenance.

59
Q

What materials are used in modern garden design for contrast?

A

Warm pine and white stone

These materials provide contrast and enhance the overall aesthetic.

60
Q

What is a key characteristic of modern garden trends?

A

Low maintenance

Many modern gardens require minimal upkeep, making them more appealing to gardeners.

61
Q

What maintenance is required for wildflower meadows?

A

Cut back once at the end of the growing season

This practice helps maintain the meadow’s health and appearance.

62
Q

What is necessary for prairie planting style?

A

Deadheading of flowering perennials

This process helps to prolong blooming and improve the visual display.

63
Q

What should be considered regarding the use of plastic in modern gardens?

A

Cost of manufacture and disposal

The environmental impact of plastic elements is significant in modern garden designs.

64
Q

Are modern gardens necessarily more sustainable?

A

Not necessarily

Sustainability in gardening is complex and not solely defined by modern practices.

65
Q

What historical challenges resonate with modern garden sustainability?

A

Growing and storing produce, protecting from weather, using water effectively

These challenges highlight the ongoing relevance of historical gardening practices.

66
Q

What theme is reflected in the design of historical gardens?

A

Power and privilege of the wealthy

Historical gardens often symbolize the status of their affluent owners.

67
Q

What types of people historically spent money on gardens?

A

Royalty and aristocracy

Examples include Japanese shoguns, Egyptian pharaohs, and British upper classes.

68
Q

How has the accessibility of gardening changed over time?

A

Has become more accessible and democratic

Increased access to gardening reflects broader social changes.

RHS Level 2 Unit 2 (22 decks)

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