We’ve talked about the Origins of Landscaping. Today, we’re going to expand on the history of this natural art.
The use of both softscaping and hardscaping elements is popular for gardens, lawns, and backyards. Did you know, though, that even it seems the landscaping industry is a relatively new industry in North America, having gained popularity in just the previous century, this practice has been around in many cultures around the world, including ancient Rome.
An Ancient Escape
The Romans designed gardens that were based on elements that were symbolic and religious in nature. As areas that were devoted to peace, people flocked to these gardens as an escape from city life. Influenced by gardening techniques from the Greeks, Persians, and Egyptians, these gardens featured a balance of hardscape and softscape elements.
Resurgence During the Renaissance
During the Middle Ages, the art of landscaping waned. However, as with other arts, landscaping experienced a rebirth in popularity as the Renaissance period arrived. Simple gardens to ornate structures became popular in Italian landscapes. Meanwhile, 17th century France enjoyed the landscape designs of Andre le Notre with his creations at Vaux-le-Vicomte and Versailles gardens. Eighteenth-century England landscape designers like William Kent and Lancelot Capability Brown were inspired by those French gardens. They remodeled the landscapes of Blenheim Palace and built several large parks that focused on natural elements.
Father of American Landscape
Frederick Law Olmsted became known as the Father of American Landscape Architecture during the late 1800’s. His well-designed parks featured green pastures that were nestled along city buildings. His designs are incorporated into New York City’s famous Central Park and the U.S. Capital Grounds in Washington, D.C. Olmsted’s work sparked a movement in creating urban parks throughout the United States.