More than a Garden

More than a Garden. . Romanticized versions of colonial gardens became popular in America as a result of the Colonial Revival Movement. These gardens typically had a symmetrical layout with square or rectangular beds, a defined perimeter like a picket fence or boxwood hedge, and a focal point such as a sundial. In contrast to colonial gardens, which for most colonists were entirely practical, Colonial Revival gardens were mostly decorative. , These garden beds contained a variety of Colonial-era flora that often had a disorganized appearance compared to the garden’s orderly layout. This intentional contrast was a reminder of the colonial past when mixed plantings were common. The contrast was also designed to promote a sense of surprise and discovery for the observer. Vegetables were sometimes planted in these gardens as well, but in a manner that prioritized their aesthetic value over their food value. , The Colonial Revival garden’s design was meant to be a carefully planned physical representation of the owner’s good taste and sensibilities, as well as a refuge from the rapidly changing world of the early 20th century. , If you were to design a garden that reflected the values of early 2st century America, what would it look like?