Editing Gardening (section)

===The Middle Ages===
[[File:Mendel II 073 v.jpg|thumb|left|upright|A gardener at work, 1607]]

The [[Middle Ages]] represent a period of decline in gardens for aesthetic purposes. After the fall of Rome, gardening was done for the purpose of growing [[medicinal herbs]] and/or decorating church [[altars]]. Monasteries carried on a tradition of [[garden design]] and intense horticultural techniques during the medieval period in [[Europe]].
Generally, monastic garden types consisted of kitchen gardens, infirmary gardens, cemetery [[orchard]]s, cloister garths and vineyards. Individual monasteries might also have had a "green court", a plot of grass and trees where horses could graze, as well as a cellarer's garden or private gardens for obedientiaries, monks who held specific posts within the monastery.

[[Islamic garden]]s were built after the model of [[Persian gardens]], and they were usually enclosed by walls and divided into four by watercourses. Commonly, the centre of the garden would have a [[reflecting pool]] or [[pavilion]]. Specific to the Islamic gardens are the [[mosaic]]s and glazed tiles used to decorate the rills and [[fountain]]s that were built in these gardens.

By the late 13th century, rich Europeans began to grow gardens for leisure and medicinal herbs and vegetables.<ref name="localhistories" /> They surrounded the gardens by walls to protect them from animals and to provide [[seclusion]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sellers |first=Authors: Vanessa Bezemer |title=Gardens of Western Europe, 1600–1800 {{!}} Essay {{!}} The Metropolitan Museum of Art {{!}} Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History |url=https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/gard_1/hd_gard_1.htm |access-date=2023-06-30 |website=The Met's Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History |date=October 2003 |language=en}}</ref> During the next two centuries, Europeans started planting lawns and raising flowerbeds and trellises of roses. Fruit trees were common in these gardens, and also in some, there were turf seats. At the same time, the gardens in the [[monasteries]] were a place to grow flowers and medicinal herbs, but they were also a space where the [[monk]]s could enjoy nature and relax.

The gardens in the 16th and 17th centuries were [[symmetric]], proportioned and balanced with a more classical appearance. Most of these gardens were built around a central axis, and they were divided into different parts by hedges. Commonly, gardens had flowerbeds laid out in squares and separated by gravel paths.

Gardens during the [[Renaissance]] were adorned with sculptures, [[topiary]] and fountains. In the 17th century, [[knot garden]]s became popular along with the [[hedge maze]]s. By this time, Europeans started planting new flowers such as [[tulips]], marigolds and [[sunflowers]].