WHAT IS A GARDEN: A garden is a planned space, usually outdoors, set aside for the display,

cultivation, and enjoyment of plants and other forms of nature. Gardening is the activity of growing and
maintaining the garden.

HISTORY OF GARDENS: The history of gardening extends across at least 4,000 years of human
civilization Egyptian tomb paintings of the 1500s BC are some of the earliest physical evidence of
ornamental horticulture and landscape design; they depict lotus ponds surrounded by symmetrical rows
of acacias and palms Another ancient gardening tradition is of Persia: Darius the Great was said to have
had a "paradise garden"

The Hanging Gardens of Babylon were renowned as a Wonder of the World. Byzantium and Moorish
Spain kept garden traditions alive after the 4th century AD and the fall of Rome. By this time a separate
gardening tradition had arisen in China

Gardens of Versailles, became the dominant style of garden in Europe until the middle of the 18th
century when it was replaced by the English landscape garden and the French landscape garden.

The 20th century saw the influence of modernism in the garden: from the articulate clarity of Thomas
Church to the bold colors and forms of Brazilian Roberto Burle Marx.A
strong environmental consciousness and Sustainable design practices, such as green roofs and rainwater
harvesting, are driving new considerations in gardening today.

USE OF GARDENS:

 A garden can have aesthetic, functional, and recreational uses:

 Supplies oxygen
 Absorb radiant heat and offer shade
 Plant cultivation
 Act as sound barrier
 Provide privacy
 Relaxation
 Family dinners on the terrace
 Children playing in the garden
 Reading and relaxing
 Fresh herbs and vegetables for cooking
 Gardens plays a vitol role in the beautification of city, gives a aesthetic appearance to city.
 Protecting environment
 Environmental protection and conservation
 Creating enjoyable greenery nature to people of the city

ENGLISH GARDENS: From the very late 17th century to the early 19th ,the english garden design
style and the landscape garden movement became the most emblematic cultural achievement of
England.
The natural garden style became the symbol of the liberal philosophy and enlightened way of thinking.
the English garden style is the child of enlightenment. The natural space forming in the gardens and the
liberation of the nature were the ideas of philosophers and the poets, artists of the early 18th century.
Arcadian landscape was the idea of these professionals.Their liberal way of thinking reflected in the love
of free growing nature.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTER Characteristics

•Rolling lawns, bounded by masses of
trees
•Organic forms [rather than geometric]
•Still water bodies in bond-like or stream
like form.
•Buildings of classical design set in
contrast to the surrounding landscape.
•Elimination of visual break between the
designed garden and the surrounding
landscape. •Regular architecture +
irregular gardens
•Founded on direct observation of
nature
•English garden on a smaller scale and
more filled with eye-catchers.
•The main idea of the English gardens is
that they should merge the built
structures with the countryside without
any artificial barriers such as fences,
hedges or etc,.
•The villas were the main focus of the
garden.
•The form of these gardens was obtained
directly from the observation of nature.
•Painting and poetry principles were
followed to create picturesque
landscape.
•Principle of surprise.
•The main features of these gardens are
curved paths, informal group of trees,
streams, artificial waterfalls, clipped
hedges, flowering annuals and
architectural features or rock formations.

ELEMENTS OF ENGLISH GARDEN

Landform:Natural contours were used as far as possible. The existing slopes were enhanced and
moulded to their utmost degree. The effect was rolling and gently undulating landforms.The edges of
the site were treated with Ha-Ha shaped like a ditch or dry moat with a fence very often, to provide a
view beyond the site but at the same time prevent the grazing animals from entering. Trees were
planted on the hill site to give added appearance of height and valleys were kept free to accentuate
their depth.

Water:It was shaped in any form so that it looked as natural as possible. Existing brooks and streams
were enhanced and made to move in its typical serpentine pleasure. Where the edges were concealed
by thickets properly interspersed.Edge delineations were made informal with drooping trees or some
where a mound crawling down into the lake or just weeds and shrubs of the natural kind

Ownership:Private estate of obility Functions: Gardens primarily used for aesthetic pleasure of the
leisured nobility. Large areas with in the estate of the country houses were designed for the pursuits
such as hunting and riding.

Spatial Organisation: Non Geometrical approach to the landscape designed was followed. The
overallspatial organisation was not rigid. There were few foci which were visually linked but not
physically. Hence visual axis replaced physical axis.Built structures like temples, grottos, pavilions acted
as foci and their positioning usually accentuated the visual composition of the landform at different
settings. However the palace remained to be the main focus.

Scale:The garden as a private estate was very large in size, where the built element formed a very small
part of the overall scheme. The designed landscape was similar in scale and character to the
surroundings and it was designed to visually extend the boundaries. Hence the scale also expanded
immensely.

Siting :The introduction of the Ha-Ha ( Sunken Fence) by Bridgeman made the garden a part of natural
wilderness. The surrounding Countryside, typical with the pattern, tracts, gentle hills, meadows,
woodlands was replicated within the site as a result of this the whole land looked like an extension of
the park. Even the features of the surrounding lands like ruins and chapels were made the part of the
designed scene.

Climate:The climate with its misty lights and infinite changes in season gave an interest and mystery to
compositions which would appear hard and dull in the clear light. Water bodies faded away gently into
the mist and trees blurring the reflections.

Vegetation: All native trees like oak, Elms, Beeches, pines and limes were planted sparingly to provide
tone. Trees were planted to appear as groups ( Clumps). Belts were enclosing components like scaled
down forests. These belts and clumps were placed accordingly as if to compose a picture and to direct
the eye towards a particular direction.

•Thicket of trees was used to mark the boundaries.

•Horizontal edging with the help of vegetation.

•Drooping trees and shrubs were used.

•All native trees were planted .

•Planted in groups. Tree belts are used to enclose space or scale down the forest.
WATER:

•It was shaped to give it a natural look.

•Streams were enhanced and accentuated to move in serpentine streams.

• To conceal edges thickets are used.

CHINESE GARDENS:

Classical Chinese garden also can be called traditional Chinese garden. With its long history, rich cultural
significance, special characteristics, and charming artistic enchantment, it has been regarded the most
important and leading gardening system among the gardening systems in the world.

The Chinese consider gardens a serious art form and as with painting, sculpture and poetry aim to attain
in their design the balance, harmony, proportion and variety that are considered essential. The art of
the Chinese garden is closely related to Chinese landscape painting - it is not a literal imitation of a
natural landscape, but the capturing of its essence and spirit. It is a landscape painting in three
dimensions. The garden is created by the human hand, but should appear as if created by heaven.

HISTORY OF CHINESE GARDENS:

The art of Chinese garden has a history of more than 3,000 years. The Records of the Historian, tells that
in the Shang Dynasty, there were special places, called “You” ，for the rulers to enjoy the beauty of
nature. After Emperor Qin Shihuang of the Qin Dynasty(221BC-206BC) unified China, Shanglin Garden
was built. It shows that the garden was called ‘yuan’.Emperor Wudi of the Han Dynasty followed the
scale of the Shanglin Garden to build the Taiye Pond in the Shanglin Garden.

In the Western Han Dynasty people begun to build private gardens. The development of classical
Chinese garden during the 400 years in the Han Dynasty laid the foundation for the art of Chinese
gardens. In the Tang and Song Dynasties, the art of Chinese garden matured. Private gardens in the Song
Dynasty also developed rapidly. The private gardens were mainly built with streams or hills or all kinds
of plants and flowers or halls and pavilions.

The Ming and Qing Dynasties were the golden age of garden building. In the middle and the late Ming
Dynasty, the artists summed up their experience in designing gardens by writing articles about gardens,
which laid the foundation, in theory, as well as in practice. Chinese garden culture matured as a
comprehensive school of its own during the this period of time, after the practice of many preceding
dynastic periods, and rose to become one of three garden construction schools along with Western Asia
and Europe.

CHARACHTERSTICS:

The creation of classical Chinese gardens depended on mountains, rivers, buildings, plants, animals and
even the weather. In these gardens usually the ground is like that of a mountain area. This kind of
garden layout imitates real terrain. The hills in classical gardens provide natural surroundings for visitors.
Looking at the hills, people feel as if they live in a mountains area and enjoy the beauty and stillness of
nature.
ELEMENTS OF CHINESE GARDENS:

ROCKS:

Decorative rocks, sometimes termed Chinese scholar’s rocks, are used both for structural and sculptural
purposes. The sculptural Taihu rock is especially prized because it represents wisdom and immortality,
and is only procurable from Tai Lake, just west of Suzhou. During the Song dynasty, they were the most
expensive objects in the empire. Such rocks, combined with streams and pools, form the basis of a
garden's plan. The Chinese word for landscape, shan shui, literally means "mountains and waters"

WATER:

Water is the blood of a traditional Chinese garden. The most important element of a garden is water, in
any form: ponds, lakes, streams, rivers and water-falls. The movement of flowing water gives pulsating
life to the garden’s cliff, stones, bushes and flowers.

VEGETATION:

Trees and flowers, especially in private gardens, are carefully selected for the overall layout of the
gardens, because of the limited space. Plants and flowers reflecting the beauty of the four seasons are
planted. In spring, peach trees blossom; in summer, lotuses blossom; in autumn, the maple leaves

most popular flowers are lotuses, peonies, chrysanthemums and orchids. Special flowers are planted to
attract bees and butterflies. These small insets make the gardens more lively.

STRUCTURES:

Among the most important structures of garden ground are walkways, pavilions and bridges. Timber
frame construction plays a decisive role here. Pavilion-like houses have neither a harsh nor dominant
effect, but rather bend effortlessly into their general surroundings. More specifically, we can divide the
structures in classical Chinese gardens into the following :

Lobby, Corridor ,Parlour, Waterside Kiosk ,Storied Chamber , Bridge ,Storied Pavilion , Pagoda, Kiosk ,

CLASSIFICATION OF CHINESE GARDENS:

There are two major ways to classify Chinese gardens.

First, they can be classified into imperial gardens and private gardens according the ownerships of the
gardens. Second, in terms of geographical location, there are northern garden, which are mostly found
in Luoyang, Kaifeng, and Beijing, with those in Beijing as representatives; gardens in the lower Yangtze
River valley, which are mostly found in Nanjing, Wuxi, Suzhou and Hangzhou, with those in Suzhou as
the most representative; and the Lingnan school of gardens, which are found in Guangzhou, Dongguan
and Shunde.

IMPERIAL GARDEN

The earliest imperial garden dates back to the late Shang dynasty (c. 1600-1027 BC) with the
construction of an imperial hunting ground, followed by the Shanglin garden built by the Emperor
Qinshihuangdi in his capital at Xianyang. The latter was completed by the Han Emperor Wudi (r. 140-87
BC) and is thought to have been the basis upon which the Summer Palace was designed.

The represants of the imperial gardens: the Summer Palace and Yuanmingyuan

THE SUMMER PALACE, EXAMPLE OF IMPERIAL GARDEN

The summer Palace, located approximately twelve kilometers to the northwest of Beijing's city proper,
was first built in 1750 and rebuilt in 1886. An outstanding example of imperial gardens in classical
Chinese style, the Summer Palace spreads on an area of 2.9 million square meters, three fourths of
which are water surfaces. Its major attractions are the Wanshou (longevity) Hill and the Kunming
(JadeSpring) Lake. The garden is a showcase of pavilions in diversified, exotic designs which are strung
together by a corridor more than seven hundred meters in length and a seemingly unending chain of
balustrades of snow-white marble. With western hills simmering in the background, the Summer Palace
is strewn with postcard perfect sceneries, including the Yuquan(Jade Spring)Pagoda, the Kunming Lake,
and the bridge with seventeen arches. The huge garden's artistic style, which is at once kaleidoscopic
and harmonious, is attributable to the unknown designers' ingenious landscaping skills.

JAPANESE GARDENS:

INTRODUCTION

Japanese gardens are a combination of many complex factors like history, social structure and religion.
The Japanese people were relatively late developers in the field of horticulture and creating gardens
when compared with other civilizations. Core values of Japanese gardening have been largely shaped by
Chinese culture and tradition. Religion, in particular Buddhism ,also had a major influence on Japanese
gardening. According to Shintoism ,the native religion of Japan everything in nature is sacred; trees,
plants, and rocks. They used white gravel in temples as to keep areas clean and white as a means of
enticing the spirits and gods to visit these places. Shintoism is not much the worship of rocks ,but the
veneration of the spirit that created those objects.

TYPES OF JAPANESE GARDENS

1. The large park or stroll gardens (which are in effect public parks with ponds and lakes).

2. The Zen temple gardens (which are usually dry landscape gardens).

3. Tea gardens.

4. Courtyard gardens.

STROLL GARDENS

Legacy of ancient Chinese imperial park tradition.

The Chinese imperial hunting parks complete with vast man-made lakes and miniature mountains and
islands.
The imperial gardens were created on a massive scale and filled with all manner of choice indigenous
plants, shrubs, and trees. China has one of most diverse collection of temperate and semi tropical plants
in the world. Much of inventory ornamental plants in western gardens today come from china.

Stroll gardens are by definition gardens for walking in. here visitors can enjoy a leisurely stroll taking in
all beautiful scenery. All the ingredients that make a Japanese garden are here- rocks, plants, and water.

ZEN GARDENS

Also described as “gardens of emptiness”, Not gardens in conventional sense of word, but sublime
works of art. Generally, a garden that has nothing but a few bare rocks in patch of sand. Their gardens
were uncluttered and reduced to the bare minimum. Some refer to them as mini-malsit gardens also.

Also called “Kare-sansui” which means empty land scape. Zen warriors (highly educated) developed a
very sophisticated and refined sense of artistic taste and that combined with their very simple and frugal
life style evolved into the characteristic Zen style that we know today.

TEA GARDENS

On first impression tea garden appears to be simply a small Japanese garden consisting of a few
stepping stones plus a lantern, water basin and tiny hut. The traditional tea garden is in fact two gardens
in one. There is the simple outer garden, where guest gather in a waiting area, and the inner garden that
contains the tea house. The outer garden is approached by a stepping stone path, lit by a rough stone
lantern.

COURTYARD GARDENS

The Japanese courtyards are not large areas, in fact are very small spaces seldom more than fifty to a
hundred square feet in size. A simple arrangement of gravel and a few rocks or just a minimalist planting
of bamboo or rush will do the trick. The scale of courtyard garden makes it ideally suited for indoor, roof
top and atrium situations.

DESIGN PRINCIPLE:

ASYMMETRY

A common design principle found in most Japanese garden is the use of asymmetry. Plants and trees
are often arranged in an asymmetric fashion, as are fences and hedges. The clever use of space is unique
where empty spaces are deliberately left unfiled to create feeling of spaciousness and uncluttered calm.

SYMBOLISM

In this type of garden you will not find any plant or water but it is present in a symbolic sense:

Plants are represented by moss that surrounds the rock. Water is represented by raked gravel
ELEMENTS OF JAPANESE:

There are three indispensable or key elements without which a Japanese garden cannot be made:

 Rocks
 Plants
 Water
 Other subsidiary elements:
 Fences
 Gates
 Lanterns
 Paths

PLANTS

The trees and plants are chosen not just for their beauty and gracefulness but also for their symbolism.
The deep greens of pines symbolize timeless and longevity, while the colors of the maples and cherries
reflect the changing seasons.

Types

Aucuba japonica: evergreen shrub which come in many varieties ranging from deep green to variegated
golden foliage. It is a tough plant and can survive in poor soil and dry conditions.

Cotoneaster: low spreading bush with colorful berries and lovely foliage.

Choisya ternata: it is evergreen and has lovely glossy foliage and that is aromatic and very fragrant
flowers, popularly known as Mexican orange.

Azaleas: a semi evergreen shrub,bloom in April and early may and are mostly pink, white and purple in
color.

Viburnum: they all have very interesting foliage and flowers with a typical large garden tree in japan.

Nandina domestica: sometimes called the sacred bamboo, very graceful plant and semi evergreen
which is grown both for its beautiful foliage and crimson berries.

Acers: it is a small tree but in mountains of Japan they can grow as tall as eighty feet.

Herbaceous Plants

Libertia gandiflora: a beautiful plant with white flowers that bloom in late may and early June.

Irisensata (japanese iris): most stunning flowers in japan, bloom in early june and color ranges from
pure white to deep purple.

Mosses Plants

It is a primitive plant and there are many different varieties in existence. Moss needs damp shady
conditions in order to flourish. In constantly dry, sunny aspect, it will not grow. Moss is most often found
in woodland area under the shade of trees where nothing else will grow. In damp conditions moss will
grow naturally without any help from men.

ROCKS:

The rocks are like the coordinates of a garden project. Choosing the right type of rock and positioning
them on right place. Size is meaningful only when viewed in the context of the scale of the garden & its
relationship with the neighboring rocks and other artifacts. Variation in rock sizes offer greater contrast
& interest resulting in the more dynamic arrangement of rocks. Rocks are often used to represent
islands and mountains, so conical or dome shape would be the obvious choice. Colors, generally bright
colors are avoided. Color of rocks generally varies from grey to black, and from yellow to brick red on
other hand. Texture, one of the vital characteristics of any rock.

 A jagged textured rock gives feeling oftimelessness and dignity.

 Smooth rocks like water worn stones or glacial boulders convey the feeling of antiquity
especially when combined in an interesting shape.

WATER:

Water is used not just for its visual quality, but also for its sound. The Japanese have learnt to exploit the
sound of water in all its various form. it varies from powerful waterfall to water falling into a water
basin, creating different emotions.

There are number of ways in which water can be used in Japanese gardens:

 As a pond or lake setting, in a stream and as a waterfall.

 If the objective is to create an expensive atmosphere then a pond or lake is the answer.
 If the aim is dynamic effect, which will stimulate both visual and acoustic senses then waterfall
is more suitable.

ACCESSORIES:

Lanterns ,bridges, fences, water basins and even stepping stones and paths come in the category.
Fences and paths are uniquely Japanese

ITALIAN GARDENS:

INTRODUCTION

The Italian Renaissance garden was a new style of garden which emerged in the late 15th century at
villas in Rome and Florence, inspired by classical ideals of order and beauty, and intended for the
pleasure of the view of the garden and the landscape beyond, for contemplation, and for the enjoyment
of the sights, sounds and smells of the garden itself.

In the late Renaissance, the gardens became larger, grander and more symmetrical, and were filled with
fountains, statues, grottoes, water organs and other features designed to delight their owners and
amuse and impress visitors. The style was imitated throughout Europe, influencing the gardens of the
French Renaissance and the English garden. Or in practical, A Renaissance Garden is a place for retreat
from a hectic world.

It’s for pleasure and peace. It’s for wandering, pottering and contemplating.

Any practical elements such as vegetables, fruit and herbs are woven into the garden design so they
appear ornamental.

HISTORY OF THE ITALIAN GARDENS

Italian renaissance gardens originate from the 15th century in Italy, where proud villas with luxurious
and extravagant gardens told the tale of a life centered on leisure and prosperity.

The few who lived in these magnificent villas and roamed these fascinating gardens were fortunate
during the time of the plague, usually avoiding it entirely.

The Italian renaissance garden innovated the art of gardening as well as the architecture of waterways.

During this period of experimentation and invention, the owners of the villas commissioned architects to
build special pipes that would create fountains with continuously flowing water.

Prior to the Italian Renaissance, Italian Medieval gardens were enclosed by walls, and were devoted to
growing vegetables, fruits and medicinal herbs, or, in the case of monastery gardens, for silent
meditation and prayer.

The Italian Renaissance garden broke down the wall between the garden, the house, and the landscape
outside.

The Italian Renaissance garden, like Renaissance art and architecture, emerged from the rediscovery by
Renaissance scholars of classical Roman models.

DESIGN PRINCIPLES

The Italian renaissance gardens had many guiding influences and principles.

The Roman gods and goddesses were inspirations for commissioned artwork displayed in the gardens.

Domestic and wild animals influenced the shapes of topiaries.

The entire landscape of the garden was meant to be practical as well as aesthetically pleasing.

Unlike medieval gardens, the renaissance garden was not the secluded area specifically for growing
herbs and vegetables.

It was made a part of the landscape of the home, complimenting the house instead of being hidden
from view. The ancient Roman garden's depicted in artwork and literature were a major part in the
inspiration for such gardens.
According to Leon Battista Alberti, some of the principle aspects of a Renaissance garden included an
area for shade, climbing vines and topiaries, evenly spaced trees, rare plants, marble columns, vases,
and statues.

ITALIAN RENAISSANCE GARDEN, AN EXAMPLE

While the early Italian Renaissance gardens were designed for contemplation and pleasure with tunnels
of greenery, trees for shade, an enclosed giardino segreto (secret garden) and fields for games and
amusements, the Medici, the ruling dynasty of Florence, used gardens to demonstrate their own power
and magnificence.

Whether it be from the inspiration of the ancient Greek and Roman, Medieval or Islamic - Italian
Renaissance gardens are soaked in myth, tradition and history.

Italian Renaissance Gardens evolved from many sources, in particular the Arab garden traditions
although Islamic symbolism was given a Christian interpretation.

The other major influence was a revival of interest in the cultures of antiquity, and the Renaissance
designers constantly tried to emulate and surpass the ancient Greek and Roman achievements.

This included accommodating antique sculptures or copies of antique figures like the copy from a mould
of the original 5th century Capitoline wolf with Romulus and Remus in the Italian garden.

Renaissance gardens were also an evolution of the Medieval garden and many of the elements from
that earlier era were retained such as the high surrounding walls, flat square beds with edges lined with
plants, beds of simples, flowery meads, and the arched trellis work.

The major difference in the Renaissance gardens was the introduction of a strong central axis and the
discovery of linear perspective as a link between the main buildings and the different portions of the
garden.

Gardens became separated into compartments that could be named, enclosed, and hidden to create an
unfolding sequence of spaces. The axis organized and unified the whole composition.

Geometry was seen as a reflection of a divine and cosmic order and a lot of Renaissance study was
focused both on trying to find geometric patterns in nature and then trying to recreate this codified
order in architecture, art, town planning and gardens.

Art and science were strongly linked and a study of proportion and the human figure created a
framework for a classical order of perspective, proportion, symmetry, and geometric forms, circles and
triangles.
PERSIAN GARDENS OR MUGHAL GARDENS:

INTRODUCTION

The tradition and style in the garden design of Persian gardens has influenced the design of gardens
from Spain to India and beyond.

The Persian garden styles follow the gardening styles of Egypt.

The local climate, high walled structures, shady trees, water streams and fountains are the factors which
makes the Persian garden a paradise on earth.

The different styles of Persian garden are Hayat, Meidan, Chahar Bagh, Park and Bagh.

The Persian gardens are planted with different types of fruit, flower trees, shrubs, shady plants, etc.

The irrigation canals are also planted in the gardens.

The canals were planted straight to provide water to the plants which were also planted straight along
the canals.

The Persian garden style spread eastwards to India and westwards via Spain with the spread of Islam
and by the Romans.

HISTORY

These gardens are enclosed. The main purpose behind building such gardens was to provide
relaxation in different manners such as spiritual, leisurely (e.g. meetings with friends).

“Pairi daeza” means enclosed space in Persian language.

This Christian mythology adopted this term to describe the Garden of Eden or paradise on earth.

The construction of garden may have an emphasis either on nature or on structure, however the main
thing this garden should allow is maximization of function.

The Persian gardens were built as a retreat from the harsh landscape.

These gardens are followed by modern-day garden, from the sanctuaries and hunting parks of 5th
century B.C.,19th century magical nightingale gardens of Tehran, etc.

The Cyrus's garden had a geometrical plan and stone watercourses.

This style was widely used with the spread of Islam, from Moorish gardens (Spain) to Mughul gardens
(India). In contrast with the European gardens of the time the Persian gardens were very lavish. These
gardens consisted of herb plants around monasteries. The gardens also had red and yellow beautiful,
colourful fruit plants in it. Bagh-e-Shahzadeh is one of the remaining few persian garden. It has series of
split level fountains and it is full of tender beauty of nature. The Persian gardens have influenced the
gardeners of Andalusia to India and other countries also.
STYLE OR DESIGN PRINCIPLES OF PERSIAN GARDENS

Hayat:

This is the old classical Persian garden layout which highly emphasizes on aesthetics. The grounds are
overed with gravels flagged with stones. Planting is very simple. The trees are planted in a line with a
shade. The pools are the source of humidity in the surrounding atmosphere. These gardens are mainly
pool centred and structure centred.

Meidan:

This is a public, formal garden which emphasizes more on biotic elements than structure.Here we see
bedding plants, trees, shrubs, grasses, etc. In this garden also the elements like gravel pathways, pools
divide the lawns. The shade providing structures pavilions are also built.

Chahar Bagh:

These gardens are formal and private. The garden structure mainly consists of four quadrants divided by
pathways and waterways. This garden has a balanced structure with proper pathways and greenery or
plants around the periphery of the pool.

Park:

These are casual parks used for public functions. These are full of various plants. Here we see pathways
and seating but these gardens are limited in terms of structural elements. The purpose of such gardens
is relaxation and socialization.

Bagh:

Like other casual gardens, it focuses on natural and green aspects of nature. These gardens are often
attached to houses consisting of trees, lawns and ground plants.It gives less emphasis on waterways and
pathways.The primary aim is familial relaxation.
ELEMENTS OF PERSIAN GARDENS

The important Persian garden elements are sunlight, shade, water, buildings. These elements provide
relaxation in different manners such as spiritual, leisurely (e.g. meetings with friends) etc. which is the
primary aim of Persian garden which is considered as a paradise on earth. The Persian gardens often
connect internal yard gardens with the surrounding outward gardens.

Sunlight: The important factor to be considered while designing the Persian garden is sunlight and its
effects in the garden. Architects arranged the samples and forms from the rays of light to restrain the
sunlight. The specific textures and shapes were chosen by the experienced architects to harness the
light.

Buildings:
In many of the Persian gardens, buildings of splendor, brick works and pavilions are seen. Here we also
get to see the different structural designs like royal palaces, mansions, temples, etc. Iranian architects
used to build domes on square buildings very skillfully. These enhance the beauty of these gardens. In
Persian gardens, beautiful arches were constructed. In front of many mansions and palaces of these
gardens, the water fountains were placed as the source of cool, peaceful atmosphere and pleasure.
The beautiful types of glasses (e.g. stain glasses) were used for windows and other glass works.

The garden can be conservative, refined, formal or relaxed and casual. The different garden designs
serve different purposes. Arches play an important role in Persian garden designs. It shows typical
Persian architectural theme. These arches are made from stonework or sometimes wooden support
which can be made appear as original. Symmetry is very important in these designs. The matching or
mirroring elements can give enjoyment and pleasure.

FIN GARDEN,KASHAN, AN EXAMPLE OF PERSIAN GARDEN

It is also called as Bagh-e-Fin located in Kashan, Iran. It is a historical Persian garden. The garden might
have its origin in Safavid period. It was built near the village of Fin under the reign of Abbas I of Persia
(1571-1629). The area of garden is 2.3 hectares consisting of a main yard surrounded with four circular
towers. The fin garden is full of water features.

There was a spring behind the garden on the hillside which was the main source of water for this
garden. In this place the water pressure was such that fountains and pools could easily be constructed
without the use of mechanical pumps. The plan is a sophisticated charhar bagh with grids of canals and
paths. The canals are lined with blue-green tiles, a colour which contrasts wonderfully with the desert
outside the garden walls.

At Fin, all the channels are lined, sides and bottom, with blue faience tiles so that the very water seems
bright and gay until it flows into one of the larger pools, lined with great trees.The garden contains many
cypress trees
SHALIMAR BAGH

The recreational and functional aspect of the Islamic Persian garden had its counterpart even as far east
as in Muslim Kashmir, on the foothills of the Great Himalayas, and on the edges of the great lakes of this
beautiful part of the world. It is here; that it seemed that paradise was truly on earth. Kashmir is a
garden of eternal spring or an iron fort to a palace of kings – a delightful flower-bed, and a heart-
expanding heritage for dervishes. Its pleasant meads and enchanting cascades are beyond all
description. There are running streams and fountains beyond count. Wherever the eye reaches there
are verdure and running water.

Kashmir, with its striking natural sites “…was to provide a new stage in the evolution of the Islamic
arden, even though the traditions and strengths of the original Persian concept was retained. One of
these gardens is the Shalimar Bagh (“abode of love”), built by the Mughal Emperor Jahangir in 1619 AD
in honour of his wife, Nur Jahan. It is the most famous of Jahangir’s gardens. In this part of the world,
gardens were situated mainly on thelower slopes of the foothills of the great mountain ranges. It was, of
course, not only more practical to build gardens on sites like these rather than on mountain tops,but
snowmelt from the mountains also gathered here in the great lakes which gave this region its
abundance of water. This abundance of water separates the Shalamar Bagh from Islamic gardens in the
arid regions. The situation of the garden allowed wonderful views of the surrounding countryside,
which, generally speaking, was also unusual for Islamic gardens, which tended to look inward.

The Shalimar Bagh is located on an ancient site at the northeast end of Dal Lake, to which it is connected
by a canal. The garden can be reached by road, although, the finest approach is by a quiet and slow skiff
(shikara) across the lake, finally leading into an entry canal, to which the garden forms a fitting climax.
Indeed, one finds that…lake and garden are in recollection, inseparable.”Walls enclose the garden,
which runs back from the lake towards the northeast, with its entrance in the southwest. One enters
these gardens at their lowest point, facing three successive terraces rising on the mountain slopes. The
main entrance leads, by way of the lowest rectangular garden of the Shalamar

Bagh, to the Diwan-I-Am or public audience hall. It is here that the emperor would sit on a black marble
throne, beneath a brightly painted ceiling, to meet with his subjects or visitors. The Diwan-i-Am was
surrounded by its own gardens: these are the ‘outer’ or semi-public gardens, which are now cut off by a
modern road. Many varieties of trees were planted in this garden including the poplar (from Italy) the
oriental plane or chenar tree (from Asia minor), the cypress and the willow. Flowers.