LA 166 Lecture Outline 3-9-07

 

 
The 19th Century Victorian Garden

 

                 The Victorian period in England coincides with the reign of Queen Victoria dating from 1838-1901.

           

                 Industrial Revolution: a change in the methods for producing goods that began in England during the 18th century and continued throughout Europe, with the most significant change being the replacement of human labor by machine.

 

                 Newly rich class

                              Manufacturing

 

                 Wealthy class acquires land

                              Construction of extravagant homes and gardens—exploiting wealth.

 

                 Victorian architecture cloaked in many different period styles

                              Architecture lacks associated context to make it meaningful.

 

                 Victorian gardens incoherent.

                              Stylistically diverse to the point of distraction.

 

                 Gardens as a socially acceptable pursuit of the wealthy.

 

                 New trends in gardening influenced by

                              changes in taste.

                              advances in technology.

                              a growing passion for horticulture.

 

                 Extensive variety of “exotic” plants in the garden.

                              Collecting and cultivating exotic plants

 

                 Glasshouses


Biddulph Grange Garden, Staffordshire

 

Development 1840-1850’s

 

                    Gardens built to accommodate plant collection.

 

                    James and Maria Bateman, owners, Industrialists.

 

                    Edward Cooke, painter and knowledgeable gardener.

 

                    Gardens as a series of picturesque scenes created as separate areas, each with its own specifically designed habitat that simulated each type of plants’ indigenous environment.

 

                    Plants carefully selected and their location adapted to provide the perfect growing conditions.

 

            Garden Areas:

 

        Dahlia Walk

        Cherry orchard

        Wellingtonia Avenue

        Italian Garden

        Rhododendron Ground

        Egyptian Court

        Cheshire Cottage

        Pinetum

        China

 

 

        The Natural Trust