Heaven on Earth.
What are gardens?
The definition of a garden is “a place where plants and flowers grow.” A garden can be an enclosed space, or it may consist of several different areas. The word comes from the Latin verb ‘gardare,’ meaning to tend or cultivate. In English, we use the term ‘garden’ for both types of gardens.
A garden in its simplest form consists of soil with some vegetation growing on top of that. It is a piece of land, usually in the shape of an area enclosed by walls or hedges and planted with flowers, shrubs, trees, vegetables, herbs, grasses, bulbs, fruits, nuts, berries, mushrooms, ferns, mosses, lichens, fungi, algae, seaweeds, aquatic plants, cacti, succulents, bonsai, rock gardens, topiaries, etc.
History
In ancient times people grew vegetables and fruits in fields, meadows, and kitchen gardens. In some places, they cultivated fruit trees along rivers and streams. They used manure from cattle and horses to fertilize these plots. These early farmers did not know crop rotation, soil conservation practices, or pest management techniques. As cities became more prominent, urban agriculture declined. However, there was still demand for fresh foods, so merchants began selling them through markets.
Some Beautiful Gardens in the world
1. Jardin Majorelle, Morocco
Jardins de la Mirabela was designed by French artist Jacques Majorelle and opened in 1932. The garden features an array of geometric shapes such as circles, squares, triangles, and hexagons inspired by Islamic art from North Africa. It also includes a pool with water flowing through it which reflects the surrounding desert landscape.
2. The Butchart Gardens, Canada
The Butchart Gardens in Victoria, British Columbia, is one of the largest rose collections in North America. Opened in 1893, the gardens have been growing roses ever since.
3. New York Botanical Garden, United States
The New York Botanical Garden is home to more than 14,500 plants representing about 6,700 species. One of its highlights is the Conservatory Garden, where water features play such a significant role. Two main ponds cover around 10 hectares and feature different types of fish like koi carp, goldfish, and tilapia. These ponds have been built, looking natural even though they use pumps to circulate the water.
4. Gardens of Versailles, France
The Gardens of Versailles have been open since 1764 when Louis XV decided to take his retreat away from Paris. He bought the land outside of Paris and built terrific buildings such as the Petit Trianon Palace and Grand Trianon Palace. Versailles became known as “the city of love” thanks to Marie Antoinette, who spent much time here during her reign. She loved gardening, so she planted more than 300 different types of trees and flowers.
5. Giverny, France
Claude Monet’s house, where he lived between 1890 and 19,26, is now a museum dedicated to his life and work. Located near Paris, Giverny is known as ‘the heart of Impressionism’. Monet painted more than 2,500 works here during that time. His water lily paintings have become some of the most iconic images ever captured on canvas. His garden became so renowned he even had people come specifically to view it.
6. Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Brooklyn, USA
The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is one of New York City’s oldest institutions dedicated to education and research on native flora.
7. Château de Bagatelle, Belgium
Château de Bagatelles is located near Brussels and was once owned by Belgian industrialist Jean Baptiste Van Damme. He bought the estate in 1784 and began building his palace on the grounds. The château itself dates back to 1670, when it belonged to Baron Philippe van der Meersch.
Benefits of being in a Garden
A recent review concluded that “the available data suggest that access to green
space is positively correlated with lower levels of psychological distress.”
Soothes mental health.
It helps to cure disease.
It’s Fun.
Children become more Active