Of Gardens and Gardeners

Gardens: Oases of the modern world, places where people go to regenerate and reconnect with their senses. Previously sites for the cultivation of food, these days gardens are status symbols and islands of peace and reflection. Gardens fulfill a human need for beauty, creativity and proximity to nature.They are also an expression of the era in which they were designed, their geographical location as well as the social standing and preferences of their owners. As a result, not only does a garden serve those who design and utilize it, it also reveals a great deal about them.

01 Greening the Cityscape – The Gardens of New York

New York has pretty much everything – except space. This means gardens can often be found on rooftops. Those who can afford it commission an elaborately designed garden for entertaining. Many of the city’s public gardens, on the other hand, were neglected and became hangouts for criminal gangs. But over the past few years, some of them have been restored to their former splendor.

02 A Turbulent History – The Gardens of Southwest Ireland

In Ireland, ornamental gardens were for a long time the preserve of the upper classes. Ordinary people cultivated the land to grow food out of necessity. During the civil war in the 1920s, the manorial estates were often ransacked. It was decades before some of the owners eventually returned to reclaim their property. The gardens in the southwest of the country, a region blessed with a mild climate, reflect this fascinating history.

03 Indian Tradition and Modern Influences – The Gardens of Delhi

The Indian capital has an especially varied horticultural landscape. From historical Indian tomb gardens to rigorously designed sites from the Mogul era and the colonial gardens of the British, right through to the international designs of the nation’s nouveau riche: The gardens of Delhi represent the diversity of epochs, religions and cultures that make this city so fascinating.

04 Turning the Desert Green – Gardens in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is investing a great deal of money in measures to inject some green into its desert - dominated lands. Whether it is to create more parkland in the capital Riyadh or to establish private gardens, the harsh climate and shortage of water are just as much factors in the design as Arab tradition and the desire to pursue avantgarde ideas. One of the most influential landscape architects currently active in Saudi Arabia is Germany’s Richard Bödeker.

05 Perfection in Green – The Lawn

A lawn consists exclusively of grass, yet is so much more than just grass – and anything but natural. The history of the lawn can be traced as far back as Antiquity. To this day, it is still very much a symbol of social ascent. The perpetual battle against invasive plants and weeds is not only a huge business, in some cases it can also become an obsession.

06 Between the Past and the Future – The Gardens of Marrakech

The city of Marrakech in Morocco rose up at the site of an oasis. In this kind of climate, watery, shady gardens spell luxury. Gardens here are often annexes to plantations or are situated behind the houses of the wealthy. They inspire artists and create income and vocational training opportunities for the young.

07 Royal Parks and Community Spaces – The Gardens of Paris

French garden design is famous for its long perspectives and geometrically ordered landscaping. Absolutist in style, its dominance of nature reflected the omnipotence of the King. Contemporary Paris has seen the creation of modern gardens that are open to all. Community gardens serve as places for urbanites to gather in natural surroundings.