Which expression of garden art / garden style that we have studied this semester resonated most strongly with you personally? Explain why.

The garden styles that resonated the most strongly for me were both the medieval garden and the Islamic garden. In terms of actual garden purpose, I thought it was fun how the medieval gardens had multiple different types, each all so useful and beneficial to the lives of the people during medieval time, bringing in gardens and nature as an important aspect to their culture. Their emphasis and fascination with moral beauty held great importance to this time period, thus making gardens all that more impactful, creating gardens to be some of the core areas of the home. 

The herber was a garden style within the innovation of the medieval garden that especially stood out to me. It seemed so whimsical and beautiful, with such a relaxing emphasis on being able to use nature as a place to spend time in, while also being in a cool, sweetly-smelling little garden space. The idea of a pleasure park also seemed especially fun. Having your own large, impressive park right in your backyard where you can enjoy a variety of aspects, brings one all that closer to the outdoors, becoming an intrinsic part to their livelihood. Trying to picture all the gardens of the medieval time, and knowing how exactly they were fit into the peoples of this time period broadened my horizons in trying to imagine that important time in history.

The Islamic Gardens may ultimately be my favorite type of garden in their simple beauty. Having the ability to learn about them in class, and then to see an actual one-- the Alcazar Palace in Seville-- took the whole concept home for me. Their focus on humble detail, with beautiful and colorful geometric patterns allowed gardens to be created with the most beautiful touch. The gardens weren't just about plant material, but also intricate design, pretty and peaceful water features, and great architecture. I like the emphasis on spirituality mixed with a place to come that replicates a magnificent paradise. While I did not get to see one at the Alcazar, the attribute of a chadar or chinikani seemed so cool. This type of structure, especially the chinikani, stood out to me from the moment it was talked about in class. It sounds so beautiful, and seems like a wonderful aspect to a garden; especially one as beautiful as an Islamic garden. 

(My own photographs from Alcazar)

All in all, everything that was learned about in this class opened my eyes to aspects of the garden that I didn't even realize were such centralized facets of this particular form of flora and fauna. Gardens are such a beautiful component of our world today. It is wonderful to learn about them, understand their history, and appreciate them as a magnificent way to combine art and nature.