Victorian Villa Garden

Gardening became the most popular in the 19th century due to the new technologies, rise of the middle class, and more diverse plants. More people were gardening and having gardens. This was also when the Victorian society and gardens were introduced. The Victorian society was very uptight. Britain was the worlds first superpower and expressed taste, education, wealth, fashion and possessions. All levels of Britain society were a grand status symbol. Art and nature was one inspiration for the Victorian gardens. 2 Victorian gardens, Biddulph Grange and Chatsworth, showed art and nature combined. The garden designers were investigating how to square the circle and make nature a work of art. Biddulph Grange was contrast between art and nature, while Chatsworth was a coexistence of art and nature. Plant collecting was big in the 19th century which led to these Victorian gardens. They no longer wanted an imitation of nature but rather to show that garden is created by man, it is a work of art.

Chatsworth

Biddulph Grange

Victorian gardens could be both formal and informal depending on what was in the garden and how it was created. They do however look like they have been put there by man. They have plants from all over the world. The plant hunters and exotic plants were the inspirations for these gardens as the plants were formal and artistic. This was the most important part of the Victorian gardens. Depending on wealth of the owner, the gardens would be mixed and matched with different kinds of plants. The more variety the better. They used these plants for display on conservatory, household decorations, industrialization, increased distribution of wealth, urbanization and suburbanization. The Victorian villas were desired as they were big houses and big grounds. Suburban living was popular so having these villas on the outskirts of town was a big deal.

Example of plants in Waddesdon Manor Gardens, UK

Victorian gardens were enclosed by cast iron fencing. This was very popular during this time to show the ornate design. Besides plants, the Victorian gardens had many ornaments such as arboretums to show trees, brightly colored flower beds that were loud and brash, parterres, glass houses, and rockeries. The gardens also had urns, statues and sculptures, bird baths, and seating.

Example of a glasshouse in London, Crystal Palace

Victorian society and gardens really changed gardening today as gardening became very popular and different plants were introduced. I have included some links below with more information and if you want to start gardening yourself there are some links on how to try a Victorian garden for yourself :)



Sources:
http://www.doityourself.com/stry/victoriangarden#b
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/article-1356400599248/
http://www.victoriana.com/gardening/

Photos:
http://uktripper.com/images/b/biddulph-elevation.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/16/Chatsworth_House.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d8/Crystal_Palace_General_view_from_Water_Temple.jpg
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8515/8475895600_29da7fa3c5_b.jpg

Urban Greenspaces

Open-space is any open space of land that is undeveloped. Often times, open-space includes greenspace.  Greenspace is land that is partly or completely covered with grass, trees, shrubs, or other vegetation. Parks, gardens, and cemeteries are considered greenspace. Greenspaces are often found in bustling cities and urban environments. Because these environments are often full of pesticide run off, poor environmental impacts, and destruction of habitat, greenspaces are and were used to enhance the environmental quality, escape the urban city, and connect to nature. Copenhagen has many examples of greenspace created in the 19th century that are still kept up and well visited today. In 1869 Copenhagen’s fortification ring was decommissioned and it’s grounds were relinquished to the city. A significant part of the City was then reserved for parks.

Ørstedsparken:
Ørstedsparken looks much like it did in the late 1800’s from the old forts. The park retains the section of the moat, and bastions from the old forts that that give the park historical meaning. This park is focused around an elongated lake which runs along the length of the park. People use this park to escape the noisy, chaotic city life and come to relax, run, walk, or be at one with nature. Although the park is in the middle of the city, it is very closed off with the tall trees making it very quiet and peaceful. 

Ørstedsparken

Botanisk Have:

The botanical gardens in Copenhagen were founded in 1600, they were moved twice to where they sit now. They were used to house exotic plants and for research. The gardens today are part of the National History Museum of Denmark and the University of Copenhagen science program uses theses botanical gardens today to study and research the plants, and medicine. Today people come to the botanical gardens to relax, look and think about the beauty of the wild plants. The glasshouses can be used no matter the weather, and is a nice retreat for people to go and look at the plants that come from all over the world and are housed in Denmark. The botanic garden displays Denmark’s largest collection of living plants and houses the only gene bank for wild species. 

Botanisk Have

Rosenborg Castle Gardens or The King’s Garden:

The King’s Garden is the oldest and most visited park in central Copenhagen. In 1606, King Christian IV established this Renaissance style, pleasure garden for the royal household. The garden is now located outside of the present day Rosenborg Castle. The garden had statues, a pavilion, a fountain, and many other features. It also contained an array of fruit, vegetables, and flowers. Years later, the garden was redesigned showing a maze, it had many paths leading to the center. Rosenborg Castle was no longer used by the royal family and was open for the public where the head gardener turned it into a Baroque style garden like it is now. Many people come to the gardens to relax and enjoy the beauty and nature, see the beautiful trees, plants, and flowers, or take a walk or run through it as it is in the center of Copenhagen. 

Rosenborg Castle Garden

Urban greenspaces are becoming more and more popular as people are looking at having “green” environments and “going green”. I love the idea of having every city have more greenspaces, like Copenhagen. Having these natural environments interwoven in the cities is great for the city and the people as they get out more and enjoy nature. A couple sources below that I visited are interested in creating more of these urban greenspaces and making cities “greener”.

Sources:

Urban Greenspaces Walking Tour packet from classhttp://www.epa.gov/region1/eco/uep/openspace.html

http://www.urbangreenspaces.org

Photos: 

http://media.avisen.dk/GetImage.ashx?imageid=719477&sizeid=4http://www.denstoredanske.dk/@api/deki/files/3189/=21221880.jpg
https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/180/432477571_b78212f4cd_b.jpg