Gardens of the past are still with us
Paradise, another word for heaven or simply a place or condition of great happiness where everything is exactly as you would like it to be. That’s more or less the definition. In that case, it could be a garden since mine is my happy place, as I’m sure it is for others who toil in the soil. I’ve even had the occasional garden visitor describe my garden as a little paradise, not that I would call it that. In Persian, however, the word paradise actually means both paradise and garden.
My garden is nothing like a true paradise garden, but it could be if I were to start over, and that’s not going to happen. Now, if you’re considering a makeover, or a completely new landscape, perhaps a paradise garden is for you. There aren’t many around, at least I haven’t seen them. No doubt there could be lots hidden away in back yards all over the city.
A paradise garden, sometimes referred to as an Islamic garden, is a particular style of garden that would be familiar to someone who hails from the Middle East and beyond. This was where the concept originated, centuries ago in Persia (Iran), to provide respite in a harsh, desert climate.
The oldest one recorded was that of Cyrus the Great, founder of the first Persian Empire, 2,500 years ago. When Alexander the Great saw the tomb of Cyrus in 330 BC, he noted that it stood in an irrigated grove of trees. Elements of the garden that are still intact suggest it was a paradise garden.
These early ones described in ancient texts no longer exist as gardens, but the concept lived on in the traditional design of Persian gardens. When Muslim Arabic conquests began in the 7th century, the original concept was repeated in many Islamic gardens from the Mediterranean as far west as Spain and Egypt and east to India. In India, the gardens of the Taj Mahal were originally based on the Persian style.
As these gardens spread, they developed into grander, more intricate styles. However they shared the same basic elements. The garden would be enclosed by high walls to give shelter from desert winds. Within, there would be water, lots of water in ponds, pools, and sometimes a fountain.
The water feature would typically take the form of four arms, believed to reflect the biblical description of the Garden of Eden, another paradise where a central spring flowed forth into four rivers. Surrounding the water would be sunken areas containing fruit trees — olive, date, fig and pomegranate. Later, around the 11th century, there’d be orange trees from China. Raised walkways allowed easy access for picking the fruit.
Besides the calming water features, the gardens always had plants chosen especially for fragrance. As in any garden, after the heat of the day has passed and the night is still, a ripple of a breeze would refresh the air with beguiling scents. With the cooling effect of water and the sound of it flowing softly, the ambience would be beautifully soothing; all part of the sensory experience these gardens sought to provide.
I’m not sure the paradise garden is as well suited to our climate as it would be in say the American southwest, where I’m sure they’re popular, but that’s no reason not to adopt elements into our gardens.
As the oldest form recorded, the symbolism evoked by the paradise garden is still with us. No matter the style, a garden is a wonderful place to relax and enjoy the soothing effects of nature — absolute paradise.
To chat with local gardeners, share tips and pics, see Grand Gardeners on Facebook. Email David Hobson at garden@gto.net.