History of English landscape gardens (2024)

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History of English landscape gardens? ›

Origins of the English landscape garden

English garden, type of garden that developed in 18th-century England, originating as a revolt against the architectural garden, which relied on rectilinear patterns, sculpture, and the unnatural shaping of trees.

These gardens were designed for lavish country estates and are meant to be experienced on foot. Include a focal point in each area, such as a trellis, water feature, topiary or statue. You may not be able to have an elaborate folly, or garden structure, but you can add a gazebo or pergola to your garden.

The new style that became known as the English garden was invented by landscape designers William Kent and Charles Bridgeman, working for wealthy patrons, including Richard Temple, 1st Viscount Cobham; Richard Boyle, 3rd Earl of Burlington; and banker Henry Hoare.

The garden came to represent two things for the English in the Victorian era: home in the face of a massive Empire, and stability in the face of industrialization and a perceived disintegration of society.

In summary, French gardens are characterized by their formality, symmetry, and control over nature, while English gardens are known for their natural appearance, informal layout, and incorporation of varied plantings and landscape features.

In this garden, as in English gardens through- out history, walls are both practical and decorative. They protect plants from cold winds and hungry animals. They radiate heat, thereby prolonging the growing season. They create intimate enclosed spaces while blocking out unwanted noise or unsightly views.

No list of English Gardens would be complete without the iconic Kew Gardens. It's just 30 minutes from central London, covers over 320 acres, and is London's largest UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The basic elements of an English garden include: large drifts of bright perennials, color themes, a wide variety of textures, and herbaceous borders—which are full of flowers through three seasons.

The great flowering of English landscape paintings came during the first half of the 19th century, primarily in the work of two masters, John Constable and J.M.W. Turner.

What is the philosophy of the English garden? ›

DESIGN PHILOSOPHY

English gardens are an expression of the seemingly unguided natural disorder in wild nature: it is an interpretation which excites deep emotions and feelings.

an English-garden-inspired color palette // blue-green, purple, red-violet, violet, pink | Green colour palette, Purple color palettes, Colorful garden.

Richard Wilson: the father of British landscape painting.

Regarded as the founder of American landscape architecture, Frederick Law Olmsted (1822–1903) is best known for designing the grounds of New York City's Central Park, the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina and the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago.

Its most famous proponent was Lancelot 'Capability' Brown, but many other landowners and gardeners adopted the English landscape style, recreating the landscapes on their great estates similarly.

Birth of the Classical Landscape

In a classical landscape the positioning of objects was contrived; every tree, rock, or animal was carefully placed to present a harmonious, balanced, and timeless mood. The classical landscape was perfected by French artists Nicolas Poussin and Claude Lorrain.