Exploring Advantages in the EnglishWalled Garden Setting
In medieval times, walled gardens were more than just enclosed spaces for growing plants. They symbolized control over nature, security, and social prestige during a period marked by political instability and warfare. These fortified oases were integral to castles, manors, and monasteries, providing a protected area for growing fruits, vegetables, medicinal plants, and flowers.
Historical collections of rare plants, such as agaves, orchids, and coffee trees, have been housed in walled gardens like Hampton Court's Lower Orangery. Some walled gardens combined productivity with leisure, integrating vegetable plots with ornamental features like pergolas or rose-covered arches. Many walled gardens included heated structures like peach houses or vineries to grow citrus, pineapples, and other tropical plants.
Key features of medieval walled gardens include enclosure by high walls, typically stone or brick, which provided protection from wildlife and cold winds, creating a favorable microclimate for delicate plants. Gardens were often arranged symmetrically or in geometric beds, reflecting medieval ideas of order and control. Functional and ornamental planting was common, with vegetables, herbs, fruit trees, and decorative plants or flowers. Access gates and sometimes structures, including garden houses or summerhouses, were also included within the enclosure.
In England, walled gardens were common on monastic sites, royal estates, and manor houses. A walled garden recorded from around 1200 AD, surrounded by stone walls, is noted in historical records, associated with early medieval origins. Many such gardens were integral to castles or manors to supply fresh produce and medicinal herbs.
In Wales and northern England, medieval fortifications like the Castles and Town Walls of King Edward in Gwynedd (13th century) combined defensive walls with enclosed domestic and service areas, which sometimes included garden spaces inside the protected areas of castles.
On the European continent, medieval towns like Paris grew around fortified cores surrounded by city walls for defense, and urban walled gardens were common behind ecclesiastical or noble residences. The principle of enclosure for both security and cultivation applied across medieval Europe.
After WWI, many walled gardens fell into disuse but are now revived as vineyards or tourist attractions. Examples include Highclere Castle, Holkham Hall, and Castle Howard's Walled Garden, which are all renowned for their historical significance and beautiful gardens.
The concept of the "hortus conclusus" (enclosed garden) was central to monastic life. Beds in walled gardens are arranged geometrically, with paths lined by hedges or flowers for visual appeal. Companion planting, such as growing lavender and sweet peas alongside vegetables, was used to deter pests in walled gardens.
Traditional Persian-inspired layouts divide walled gardens into four quarters with central pathways, often featuring a pool or wellhead. The Little Cloister Garden at Westminster Abbey still reflects its original enclosed nature. Blenheim Palace's Walled Garden is its oldest surviving feature, completed in 1707.
Restored gardens like Floors Castle (Scotland) or Chartwell (Kent) offer inspiration, where Winston Churchill laid bricks himself. Brick and stone walls in walled gardens absorb solar heat during the day and release it slowly, raising the ambient temperature. Elaborate glasshouses and exotic plants, like pineapples, displayed wealth in walled gardens.
Frost gates are positioned to let cold air escape, protecting blossoms in orchards. Frost doors or gates in walled gardens allow cold air to drain away, preventing frost damage to tender plants. Espaliered fruit trees are trained against south-facing walls in walled gardens for maximum sun exposure.
The Chicago Botanic Garden's English Walled Garden features six themed "rooms" with sensory plantings. The Oxford Botanic Garden's Walled Garden dates back to its foundation in 1621. Walled gardens are not community gardens, but are typically private gardens meant to feed their owners.
Overall, medieval walled gardens continue to captivate us with their beauty, history, and symbolism. Their legacy persists in later formal garden designs, notably in Renaissance and post-medieval estates, reminding us of the importance of control over nature, security, and social prestige in times of turmoil.
In modified medieval times, home-and-garden spaces have evolved from fortified oases to serene sanctuaries, demonstrating an enduring appreciation for a controlled and aesthetically pleasing lifestyle. Historical residences, such as Highclere Castle, Holkham Hall, and Castle Howard's Walled Garden, house remnants of the past, combining their historical significance with beautiful, functional gardens that cater to modern sensibilities.
In today's context, gardens like the Chicago Botanic Garden's English Walled Garden offer diverse sensory experiences, providing an engaging exploration of various plant species, reflecting ongoing interest in horticulture and the intricate designs found in medieval walled gardens.
