Techniques and Styles

Victorian Style:

Many Irish formal gardens were first made during the Victorian era. This style is recognizable by its geometric lines and patterns. Strictly manicured landscapes with exotic plants cover the scene with elegant places to sit and observe the beauty and symmetry that was so painstakingly made.

Some gardeners have chosen to keep the gardens in their original conditions or to at least restore them. However the healthier alternative involves change. Gardens need to be able to evolve and change over time. When a massive tree eventually grows too old and dies, a new type of plant or tree should take its place. The gardener at Glenveagh castle criticized other gardens because of their determination to keep the same appearance for decades, which is not conducive to healthy gardens. The old Victorian gardeners would have changed their landscape every so often to keep with the gardening trends of the time. It is only for tourism sake that these gardens are able to stay funded and that means catering to the tourists wishes to see ‘original’ landscaping designs.

Patterns:

Geometric patterns and lines are used to show structure in the gardens, almost taming the landscape.The use of symmetry and repetition is used to make the gardens appear larger than they actually are.

Paths:

Paths are used to clearly guide visitors on a tour of the garden. This is an old tradition from when the gardens were owned by individuals. Going to the garden was an activity used for entertaining guests. Today some of the gardens we visited are clearly marked to demonstrate what section of the garden visitors are in. On the paths there are often places to sit, rest and observe the gardens.

Observing Spaces:

Elaborate formal gardens were created to be admired. To encourage leisurely walks and romantic visits through the gardens, benches and pavilions were installed.

Walls:

The walls are a large part of walled gardens. They show the power and strength of the owners of the estate. They protect the gardens from hungry peasants, deer, rodents, and other pests that could damage the plants. They also serve as clear boundaries and are strong supports for fruit trees and vines that rely on supports to climb.

Water:

The use of water is common in Irish gardens. Streams are often used as a means of separation from one section to another and ponds are often kept as a decorative element.

Exotic Plants:

Due to Ireland’s mild climate, many plants have been brought to Ireland and thrive there. The summers in Ireland hardly ever get too hot, it rarely snows in some of the southern parts and it rains almost every day. Plants like banana trees can grow.

Greenhouses:

Greenhouses are helpful to grow more tropical plants. Many of the gardeners would pride themselves in the most exotic plants that they could acquire and sometimes this would require a greenhouse.

Flora:

Flowers cover the grounds of Irish gardens. There is a wide variety of flowers and their colors are used as decorative measures to enhance the beauty of the gardens.

Fruits and Vegetables:

Depending on the style of garden these crops could be used as ornamentation (such as Glenveagh) or they could be harvested and eaten (fresh berries from the gardens were sold for lunch at the Strokestown visitor center).

[Ireland’s Formal Gardens] [Personal Interest and Background] [Popular Gardens]

[Comparisons to Parks and Cemeteries]

 

 

[Works Consulted]

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