LANDSCAPE

DESIGN
ITALIAN GARDENS

BHUVANA REDDY (18BAR023)

SOMYA PRAKASH (18BAR030)
TRIKUTI MISHRA (18BAR032)
CONTENTS :
 Introduction
 History
 Characteristics features
 Planning
 Influences and principles of the garden
 Elements of Italian garden

 Division of Italian Renaissance Gardens-

 1.Gardens of the Early Italian Renaissance
 2. Gardens of the High Renaissance
 3.Mannerism and the Gardens of the Late Renaissance
 Examples of the Italian garden
 Some Featured plants
INTRODUCTION
• Italian Gardens are also known as Italian Renaissance gardens.
• A formal garden is distinguished by order, neatness, geometry and
symmetry. This style of garden design is one of the oldest in the
world.
• The style was imitated throughout Europe, influencing the gardens
of the French Renaissance and the English garden.
• Italian Renaissance garden was a new style of garden which Italian Gardens
emerged in the late 15th century at villas in Rome and Florence.
• It was inspired by classical ideals of order and beauty and intended
for the pleasure of the view of the garden and the landscape
beyond the contemplation, and for the enjoyment of the sights,
sounds and the 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 design to delight their
owners and amuse and impress visitors.
 HISTORY OF 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 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.
• 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.
• 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. The origin of the style are to be found in ancient Rome.
• Within the villas there were courts and colonnades designed for every phase of
CHARACTERISTIC
FEATURES
•
•
Very Formal lines that intersect
Result of hot climate
• Influences French baroque gardens
• Geometrically patterned beds or parterres are a distinct element of the
Italian style
• Traditionally, Italian gardens had few flowers
• The plants were primarily evergreens for texture and shape
• Display and backdrop for sculpture
• Historic themes
• Contrast of sun and shade
• Shady walkways
• Water features
• Steps urns and balustrades
• Geometrical to serpentine
• Designed to be inspiring all year round
• Not dependent on color
• An expansive vista
 CHARACTERISTIC
FEATURES
• Green is the dominant color of the Italian garden
• There is no single style of Italian garden, Italy has many diverse
regions that influence the form and function of its gardens. Todays
Italian gardens are not only shaped by climate and geography but
also history. Roman and Renaissance styles for example branded
their own stamp on garden design
• Italy has inspired much in garden design. From the frescoes of
Pompei's courtly gardens to the classical marble tiles that
bedecked Roman patios.
• Like many European gardens, most Italian gardens throughout
history have been highly stylized, but markedly functional. For
instance, a villa garden would have distinct sections –the orchards,
the patio, the flowerbeds, a pond or water element and the most
likely a kitchen garden.
• It basically displayed careful design to showcase mans control over
nature.
CHARACTERISTIC
FEATURES
• Italian gardens have not developed as a result of havoc
unintentional experiments.
• The design has been a result of aristocrat and social control.
• Italian culture and thoughts have left definite impact on the look
of the Italian gardens since ever. Even the most contemporary
designs are not free of this impact.
• The perfect Italian gardens bring with them the fusion of formal
and informal outline.
• Italian gardens require loads of contemplation and even the
informal zone is to be well conceptualized.
• The geometrical plants take care of the formal preview, and a
natural presentation on suffices for the informal space.
• By natural presentation the theory is to preserve the natural
aesthetics, such that they get well with the formal frame.
• The perfect Italian gardens would have a shaded space for you and
company to sit and be delighted about the efforts that have helped
with the great green presentation.
 PLANNING
• Classic Italian gardens are also known as Renaissance Gardens.
• These gardens were grown solely for the purpose of pleasure.
• They were grown to provide a place where you could escape from the daily
humdrums of life and enjoy to your heart's contentment.
• They showed symmetry everywhere.
• Evergreen outlined beds and hedges were a must.
• Hedges were given various shapes to enhance interest and pleasure.
• The hedges were used to divide the garden into a number of portions had a special
view.
• Evergreen plants were trimmed and shaped into a number of portions; each
portion had a special view.
• Evergreen plants were trimmed and shaped into various Interesting forms and
figures.
• The presence of water in one form or another was also a must.
• The main function of the water was irrigation, but it was utilized to enhance the
beauty of the garden in various ways. Fountains, streams and ponds were
introduced to create interest and to provide relaxation.
• The ideal classic gardens were grown on sloping hill sides and involved different
levels and terraces, Various potted plants were also introduced in the landscaping.
Different colored flowers were introduced in the form of bunches scattered in
different areas.
INFLUENCES AND PRINCIPLES :

• The Italian renaissance gardens had many building 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, marbly columns, vases, and
statues.
ELEMENTS OF ITALIAN
GARDEN
o STAICASES
o BALUSTRADES
o SCULPTURE
o CASCADE PAVILLIONS
o SHADY WALKWAYS
o WATER FOUNTAIN
o PAVEMENTS
o EVEN THE CYPRESS AVENUES ATRE LIMITATIONS OF COLONNADES
 ELEMENTS OF ITALIAN
GARDEN
1.OUTLINING WITH EVERGREENS
• The most recognizable elements of the Classical Italian gardens are
the evergreen outlined beds.
• Box (Buxus)hedge, myrtle, rosemary and other evergreen plants
are trimmed into a hedge shaped to divide the beds.
• More importantly however the hedges provide shape and green
even in the garden’s fallow months because the Renaissance
Garden is meant for year round pleasure.

2.TOPIARY AND STATUARY

• Topiary, evergreen plants shaped, trimmed and pruned into
amusing shapes are used to add humor and playfulness to the
garden.
• Some say this is really a Medieval custom that just stayed on during
the Renaissance. But you'll see more topiary than statuary in
Classical Italian gardens.
• Statuary, when it is used is normally a central feature on a
fountain and grotto. It is never offensive but humorous or graceful.
3.FRUIT TREES
• Renaissance Garden fruit trees are clipped and well tended.
• Some are planted in pots others are planted in open ground, most
against walls.
• Citrus fruit plants are often potted up so that they can be set
outdoors during warm months, and moved indoors during winter
months.
• Other fruit trees are usually trained as arches or over pergolas,
when they are not formed as an esplanade against a South-facing
wall, for early ripening of the fruit.

4.ARCHES AND PATHWAYS

• Evergreens often line pathways and its not always box hedging.
Laurel, Yew, Cypresses, Fir, Oaks, Plum and Juniper trees are
used to create green walls , arches and living pergolas.
• Footpaths are designed to offer varied views through the garden.
They are also used for exercise, often taking the long way
around.
• Path scan be grass patches , mown down regularly or dirt paths
wedded regularly. But the easiest paths to maintain are paved or
gravel an cut maintenance to almost nothing.
ELEMENTS OF ITALIAN
GARDEN
5.WATER FEATURES : Water always plays a part in Classical Italian Gardens.
Primarily the water is for irrigation to keep the plants from drying out.
Secondarily, the water is used for features such as grottos, fountains, streams
and ponds.
These features can be central features in "rooms“ ,or as in the case of grottos,
off to the shady sides of the garden.

6.TIGHTLY PLANTED BEDS : Bordered beds are often planted up on various eye
levels. The center is a tall plant such as fruit tree, or an evergreen such as
laurel. Surrounding the tall plant are shorter plants in a different color, providing
either a contrast or a complementary shade. These plants are often herbs or
flowering plants such as roses, salvias, or lupines.

7. POTTED PLANTS : Terra-cotta pots, often covered with figures and designs,
are common decorative features in Renaissance Gardens. Flowers, fruit trees and
herbs can be potted up and moved around the garden for variety and added
colour.They are almost always displayed in balanced symmetry.
8. TERRACING : The ideal Renaissance Garden is terraced on a gently sloping hillside.
The various levels are joined up by paths and short flight of steps. Terraces are used
mainly to divide the garden into "rooms" with varying "moods", and to limit the views and
vistas. A connecting terrace should come as a surprise when climbing up the garden.
Looking down from the villa, however, the terraces should create a tableau of pleasing
vistas, artistically sculpted views.

9. TRELLISES AND CLIMBING PLANTS : Trellises are used to divide "rooms" and line
paths in the garden. They are trained with climbing plants like lvy, roses, honeysuckle,
or grape vines. The climbing plants are also trained over structures such as pergolas,
porticos and pavilions. Flowering climbers are preferred.

10. PERSONAL TOUCHES : The classical Italian Garden also includes personal touches,
Each garden should reflect the family that lives in the villa. Some gardens have the
family name written in box hedge. Or you can put the family coat-of-arms on a garden
wall. Some gardens feature plants with the family or Christian name in Latin, for a
more erudite personal touch.

11.THE GENERAL MOOD : The Renaissance Garden or Classical Italian Garden is a

light, open, peaceful, symmetrical, soothing garden. There should be nothing dark,
melancholy or gloomy. And certainly nothing perverse or off-color in the decoration.
12.GARDEN FURNITURE : Seating is spread around the garden so the various vistas
and "rooms" can be contemplated and enjoyed in response.
Seating can include benches, small patches of lawn for picnics, chairs, tables with
chairs. They are best in natural materials such as stone and wood. Covered seating
areas are normally provided for protection from sun and rain alike. Pergolas covered
in vines or flowering plants are a typical covered structure.

13.STRUCTURES : Structures are used to separate "rooms", add varied heights for
views; and to provide shade, relaxation, and protection from wind and salty sea-air.
These structures can be porticos, pergolas, pavilions, grottos, loggias or walls. They
are made of natural materials and often trained with climbing plants.

14.PLANED WITH THE VILLA : The villa is always taken into account when planning
a Renaissance Garden. The villa is treated as a feature of the garden, usually the
central view.
Shapes on the exterior and interior of the villa are often mirrored in the garden
shapes and structures. creating a harmonious blend of the two. But just as important
are the beautiful vistas from the villa when looking out of the windows and doors
into the garden.
Example of the Italian Garden:

VILLA LANTE di BAGANIA

• This garden is considered to be Italy's most prestigious monument

to late-Renaissance art, and is attributed to the architect Vignola,
who built the garden for Cardinal Cambara during the mid to late
1500s.
• This is attributed to the architect Vignola, who built the garden
for Cardinal Cambara during the mid to late 1500's.
• There is a beautiful transition from the woods and nature at the
highest level to the extreme geometry of the lower terrace or
patronne.
• The design is centered on a single axis with water as the main
theme.
• There were two palazzi's subordinate to the garden which were
built by two different people at different times.
• Changes occurred over the centuries , with Duke Ippolito Lante
obtaining ownership in 1656,therby more elegant patterns
according to the style of the French designer, La Notre.
• In 1971 the garden was acquired by the Italian Government.
DESCRIPTION AND FEATURES :
• One of the main design principles is the strong central axis,
which starts at the entrance by the fountain of the Moors and
runs to the top of the third terrace ending at the fountain of the
flood.
• Another main design principle id using bilateral symmetry with
the Palladian circle and square and also the use of water
flowing from the fountain of the flood through the entire garden
to enhance the strong central axis.
• A feature of Italian gardens is the lack of flowers and the
dominant' chiarosccuro' (The arrangement of light and dark
elements in a pictorial work of art) effects created by sculpted
trees and shrubbery.
• The town of Bagnaia sits right at the edge of the villa so this
makes this villa quite unique.
• The garden represents the tale of humanity's descent from the
Golden Age and each fountain tells a story.
 SPATIAL THRESHOLD AND TERMINUS

TRIPARTITE ORGANIZTION OF PLAN GEOMETRY

WATER FEATURES

PLAN AND
SECTION OF VILLA
LANTE

VIEW GEOMETRY OF PATTERNS SOLID MASSES AND ENCLOSING WALL

DIVISION OF ITALIAN RENAISSANCE
GARDENS
A. GARDENS OF THE EARLY ITALIAN RENAISSANCE (1450-1530)
B. GARDENS OF THE HIGH RENAISSANCE(1520-1580)
C. MANNERISN AND THE GARDENS OF THE LATE RENAISSNACE(1550-1600)
A.EARLY ITALIAN RENAISSANCE (1450-1530)
• The principles of ancient gardens were re-discovered and experiments
were made with new ideas. The social use of gardens, for holding
discussions and entertaining friends, was also re-born.
• FORM : Square and rectangular 'garden carpets' were laid out so that
their unity, order and regularity could to be viewed from the upper
windows of a house, as they were in paradise gardens.
• In marked contrast with eastern practice, early renaissance gardens
had no particular geometrical relationship between the fortified house
and its garden.
• Patterns, inspired by knotted carpets, were used in the design of what
became known as 'knot gardens'
EXAMPLES OF THE EARLY ITALIAN RENAISSANCE GARDEN:
• The oldest existing Italian Renaissance garden is at the Villa Medici in
Fiesole, north of Florence.
• The Villa Medici followed Alberti's percepts that a villa should have a
view 'that overlooks the city, the owner's land, the sea or a great plain,
and familiar hills and mountains; and that the foreground have the
delicacy of gardens.
• Unlike later gardens, the Villa Medici did not have a grand staircase or
other feature to link the two levels.
 B. GARDENS OF THE HIGH RENAISSANCE(1520-1580)
• Medieval gardens had been inward-looking. Renaissance gardens, with
their hillside terraces, began to look outward, physically and
intellectually.
• Making a collection of antique statuary became an important garden
use.
• It was a way of looking to history and the fine arts.

EXAMPLE : VILLA DI CASTELLO, TUSCANY(1538)

• The garden was laid out on a gentle slope between the villa and the hill
of Monte Morello.
• Tribolo first built a wall across the slope, dividing it into an upper
garden filled with orange trees and a lower garden that was sub-divided
into garden rooms with walls of hedges, rows of trees and tunnels of
citrus trees and cedars.
• A central axis, articulated by a a series of fountains, extended from the
villa up to the base of Monte Morello. In this arrangement, the garden
had both grand perspectives and enclosed private space.
• Its principles of perspective, proportion and symmetry, its geometric
planting beds and rooms with the walls of trees and hedges , were
adapted in both the gardens of the French Renaissance and the garden a
la francaise.
 C. MANNERISN AND THE GARDENS OF THE LATE RENAISSNACE(1550-
1600)
• Mannerism was a style which developed in painting in the 1520s, which
defined the traditional rules of renaissance painting.
• Mannerist paintings were intensely stylish, polished and complex, their
composition bizarre, the subject matter fantastic.

EXAMPLE : SACRO BOSCO AT BOMARZO,LAZIO (1552-1584) (PARK OF

MONSTERS)
• The Sacro Bosco or ‘Sacred Wood’ was the most famous & extravagant of
the Mannerist gardens.
• It was created for Pier Francesco Orsini(1523-84) near the village of
Bomarzo.
• It was witty and irrelevant, and violated all the rules of Renaissance
gardens. It has no symmetry, no order and no focal point.
• The garden was filled with enormous statues, reached by wandering
paths. It included a mouth of hell, a house that seemed to be falling
over, fantastic animals and figures, many of them carved of rough
volcanic rock.
• Outside the gardens , was filled with disturbing architectural elements,
including a grotto whose entrance represented the mouth of hell, with
eyes that showed fires burning inside.
 SOME FEATURED PLANTS
1.BERGENIA CORDFOLIA : The Bergenia is an old fashioned plant that is often
seen massed in the gardens of older homes. Bergenia Fire, have striking foliage,
colored stems as well as taller and more prominent flower clusters. Their coarse
textured leaves are a great counterpoint to the many fine textured ornamental
grasses, and are usually tinged with red. They also make a wonderful edging
plant, providing the needed contrast to a lawn area and are the best when used
in large massed groupings.

2.PHLOMIS RUSSELIANA : Phlomis russeliana is a wonderful architectural

perennial that will adda a vertical accent to the garden. Rising from a clump of
large heart shaped leaves, the square stems produce whorls of pale yellow, pea
like flowers in June. The dried stalks and seed pods turn chocolate brown in the
winter, often catching the snow like small pagodas.

3.HELLEBORUS ORIENTALIS : It is one of the few plants to flower in mid-winter

providing large clusters of multi-hued flowers atop large, palmate evergreen
leaves. They prefer semi-shaded areas, contrasting beautifully with both ferns
and Hostas to create interest during bleak winter months. Petal colors vary from
shades of pink to blue and pale green. Helleborus argutifolius can reach 3 feet
and produce massive clusters of large green chartreuse flowers.
 SOME FEATURED PLANTS

4.ADIANTUM ALEUTICUM PEDATUM :

The delicate Maidenhair Fern is a Northwestern native that
brings grace and elegance to the garden. They grow wild
along the steep shady banks. The plants are beautiful
combined with hostas and other shade loving plants. They
form vase shaped clumps up to 2feet high.

5.ASTER FRIKARTII :
This aster is the bright spot in the garden from August until
the first hard frosts. It forms broad, open clumps of starry
blue flowers that blend well with the other fall colours.A
common companion plant with the showy sedums. Best in full
sun at the front of the border.

THANK YOU !!!