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The Development Of Gardening And Garden Products

For this, the first article on all things "garden", I thought it might be a nice idea to start at the beginning and look at what we know about gardening, where it began and how it's evolved to become the pastime we know and love today. If you've already read a little about the philosophy behind Hortica then you will be aware that our view of gardening is based on principles of outdoor living and on the adapted William Morris notion that we should surround ourselves with only those things which are useful or that bring beauty into our lives. As such the garden products we supply are all chosen because they fit within this mission statement.

According to research into ancient civilisations gardening as we recognise it in the 21st Century is the result of tens of thousands of years of evolution. As with any historical research, there are limitations and gaps in our knowledge due to the lack of record keeping, but there is archaeological evidence in the form of tools and coprolites to suggest that as far back as 35000 years ago homo sapiens from the Paleolithic period understood the benefits of gathering various different kinds of plant. Although cultivation was not mastered until much later it is fascinating to note that these early forages were the first adventures in the time-line leading up to gardening as we know it.

In these extremely early stages it would be reasonable to assume that 'gardening' had more to do with survival instinct than creating a display for aesthetic enjoyment. If we skip forward to ancient Egypt and Persia we find more method being applied in the form of symmetrical patterns and purposeful planting to be consistent with, and integrated into, the construction of temples and other structures. Private gardens were mostly there for vegetable cultivation however as time progressed walled gardens were created, by those who could afford it, simply for the pleasure, shelter and beauty they provided. The dry Egyptian climate meant that the success of any garden relied on constant tending, which led to professional gardeners being employed by the wealthy.

The closest comparison between the modern day garden and ancient gardening can be found within Roman gardens. They viewed the garden as somewhere to relax, to reflect and to escape from the rigours of everyday life. And as might be expected the ancient Roman garden was also built with religious symbolism in mind. Gardening continued to evolve throughout the entire Roman Empire with each generation sharing their knowledge with the next.

Moving further forward through history and into Medieval Europe, and we know from various texts that within the walled cities (walled for defensive purposes) gardens were tended to and included game, fish, fruit and flowers. Grass was also cultivated during this period, with instructions for doing so being found in an Albertus Magnus text written in the twelve hundreds.

As art evolved and as movements came and went gardening styles were adapted to reflect current thinking. The first major revolution being the Italian Renaissance period, which infused ancient mythology into garden design. The 18th Century saw gardens continue this allegorical trend, with the landscape being created to emulate paintings of the era. As with any fashion, the backlash eventually came in the form of many theorists suggesting that the garden should be a more naturalistic creation; something which responded to the site itself and not forcefully moulded to fit a painting bearing no relevance to that particular landscape.

The next important movement came in the form of 'Gardenesque' gardens. The theory was to create a garden which allowed each tree and plant the space to fully realise its potential. This led to a 'collectors' approach which showcased rare breeds or plants of a curious nature. As a result of the emphasis being placed on individual shrubs Gardenesque gardens were often rather incoherent, but nevertheless imbued a sense of variety and mystery.

By the turn of the 20th Century 'wild' gardens, which incorporated herbs and mixed shrubs with perennial and annual plants, and were infused with a sense of romanticism and the image of the ideal English cottage garden, became the more popular approach.

Today gardening takes on board all the influences throughout history, and the garden products we supply through our online catalogue will help you to attain a garden which feeds the soul and the stomach, as well as the eye! For more information on Hortica and the principles to which we are committed please read the About Us section of the site and browse through our garden products to see the many great ways you can help to improve and maintain your garden.