Princely gardens in Germany
All the German gardens that we have observed so far are
burgher gardens really, however well they are carried out. But for
the gardens of a prince something special was desired at that
period. In 1560 Gesner divides up the different kinds, by no means
scientifically, but with a view to doing justice to all, in this
fashion:
- Ordinary gardens for the household, with vegetables,
vines, orchard and grass for the nourishment of man and
beast.
- Medicinal gardens, containing in addition to these
things various healing plants, foreign and native.
- Miscellaneous gardens, with not only healing herbs but
also peculiar plants that attract attention and
admiration.
- Elegant gardens only meant for ornament, with arbours,
pleasure-houses, and places to stroll about in, with fine ever-
green trees, and all the various designs that can be made by
curving and weaving the branches. Such are the gardens of wealthy
ladies and all well-to-do people, especially monks,
- Show gardens, such as learned men and princes or the
state itself may possess, with splendid buildings, ponds, and
water-works, artificial mounds, squares for tournaments or
tennis,
A picture from the Werth collection (Fig. 360) gives an
illustration of these requirements for the garden of a prince.
Close to the castle is the spacious playground, and behind is the
labyrinth with arcades round it and a magnificent fountain, also an
animal park with a bath and other features.
FIG. 360. CASTLE GARDEN AND LABYRINTH
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