Oh the allure of a wonderfully sprawling Garden, rich in its greenery, meandering nature, natural shapes, colours, fragrance and ability to transport and refresh us. Though in this digital, screen time drenched world, we spend markedly less time in nature than we once did. Endless hours spent in nature was the way. The art of doing nothing at its best. Moments like a picnic under a tree, lazy hours lying on the blanket under a tree in summer, staring up at the blue sky and light filtered through the branches as they sway and make the light dance off the glassware. Lingering strolls in the park, reading in the garden on a bench, or simply sitting outside, surrounded by trees and flowers. A Brief History of the Garden Gardens have been a part of our lives since ancient times. As each era passed and time progressed, so too did the garden and their purpose. In ancient Egypt forest gardening was a method of food production that involved growing fruit and nut trees, shrubs, and herbs in a manner resembling a forest. This was the first form of cultivation. To please their deities, ancient Egyptians often planted sycamores, fir trees, and date palms in rows edged by walls, whereas ancient Romans focused on vines and hedges, as well as ornamental flowers like poppies and roses. Gardening became more practical after the fall of the Roman Empire during the mediaeval period. My garden is my most beautiful masterpiece. – Claude Monet As civilisations progressed, the more affluent segments of society began to create gardens for aesthetic purposes. The early history of gardening is intertwined with the history of agriculture, with gardens that were primarily ornamental were the preserve of the elite until relatively recently. Smaller gardens, as was often the case in the past, prioritised being a kitchen garden. Gardening was primarily a means of sustaining their way of life, but it was also a place for relaxation and reflection – similar to gardens today. The Renaissance period was a huge turning point for the garden. Gardening, like art, literature, and architecture, experienced a renaissance beginning in the 14th century. Wealthy people adorned their gardens with stunning sculptures and fountains, creating spaces that are meant to amaze and inspire. Gardens became increasingly symmetrical in the later Renaissance period, with geometric planting beds and carefully designed hedgerows. Symmetry was an important aspect of this period;s garden design. The gift to gardening given by the 18th century, is The English Landscape Garden was the epitome this  century’s  garden, with its rolling lawns, tree groves, and expansive lakes. The English Landscape Garden was the epitome of class and affluence in 18th-century Europe, and visitors from all over the world were awestruck by their beauty. These gardens typically featured with fragrant rose bushes and large hedges and are designed to mimic the natural beauty of the countryside. Our modern garden design has whispers of eras past, often has little to no structure, but elements from some or all of historical design, and continues to evolve. Healing Benefits of Gardens While all gardens have healing ability, there are gardens that are designed with healing in mind, to maximize the effects of healing outcomes, particularly at hospitals. Humans are hardwired fro connection in nature, as we are all part of the natural order, the system of life on this planet. Nature is a source of solace for people of all ages and cultures. In one study, Clare Cooper Marcus and Marni Barnes, two leaders in the field of healing gardens, they discovered that more than two-thirds of people choose a natural setting to relax in when they are stressed. In another study, 95% of those polled reported that spending time outside improved their mood, shifting from depressed, stressed, and anxious to more calm and balanced. Time in nature offers healing and increases your sense of well being, reconnecting you to the earth that supports us all. If you have a garden and a library, you will have everything you need. – Marcus Tullius Cicero, Letter to Varro, 1st century AD Inspiring and Beautiful Gardens of Note Giverny – Monet’s Water Garden Gardens of Versailles   Levens Hall, Kendal, Cumbria, UK Royal Gardens in Hanover Herrenhause, Germany The Royal Gardens in Hanover Herrenhausen are regarded as one of Europe’s most beautiful garden parks. Gardens Barnsley House, UK   The gardens at Barnsley House, designed by renowned garden designer Rosemary Verey, are a classic example of an English country garden.

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