The Garden that Resonated with Me Most

Before this class, I never really put much thought into what goes into gardens and the significance they have had throughout history, especially in Europe. As we learned about each type, I always found a feature I enjoyed in each one. Each type of garden was unique and had a different character and feel to it. Even though I liked all the gardens we studied, it was when we came upon the English landscape garden that I found my favorite.

Most of the other gardens were very beautiful and intricate but the English landscape garden took a much different approach. Contrary to the styles that came before it, it was made to look as though man did not play a role in the creation of it. The focus was on the “natural” beauty that could “only come from nature itself”. I really enjoy places that have a view and I thought that it was interesting and beautiful that the landscape designers used the borrowed views to extend the garden far beyond the actual bounds. When I think about what a garden should be and what I enjoy about being in a garden is that you are able to escape into nature. The English landscape garden was the one that I thought was able to communicate that.

I found it so interesting to be able to study all the different types of gardens that Europe has to offer. Each and every one was beautiful and unique. Although I enjoyed all of them, I felt that the English landscape garden really represented what I thought a garden should be about. It was a place to go and enjoy what nature looked like and even though it was still man made, I felt that it accomplished that.

For more information on the English Landscape Garden, check out this link:

http://www.gardenvisit.com/history_theory/library_online_ebooks/ml_gothein_history_garden_art_design/english_landscape_garden_designers

Photo Links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_landscape_garden

http://traveltrales.wordpress.com/category/natural-britain/

http://www.historyextra.com/feature/english-landscape-garden