Decorative Garden
Decorative Garden
The Cistercian Decorative Garden Communities
The Cistercians, following in the footsteps of the Benedictines, did much to further the progress of horticulture and decorative gardens on the continent and in England. Their monasteries, lush with flowing water from large fountains and dramatic statuary, stood in contrast to those gardens as conspicuously bare of decoration as those of the Benedictines. These gardens were built in the hollows of valleys, where culture could fertilize the soil, and where there was an abundance of water to fill the fountains and irrigate the land.
St. Bernard founded the most famous of all Cistercian garden communities in the wild and gloomy valley of Clairvaux, beside a clear stream that provided plentiful water for the surrounding garden fountains. An ardent lover of nature, he wrote, "You will find more in woods than in books, trees and stones will teach you what you can never learn from school teachers." One of the most sacred spots in the monastery, now sadly deprived of all its ancient glory, was a little plot of ground whose cultivation was his special care. Centered around several beautiful garden statues, large gardens belonging to the community lay within the cloisters, and outside others surrounded giant water fountains, with jets spraying 20 feet into the air. The several divisions of ground were separated by intersecting canals, with water supplied to the fountains by the river Alba.
The Carthusians, belonging to an order founded by St. Bruno in 1084, dwelt in monasteries planned to isolate, as completely as possible, each member of the
community. This was to fulfill the rules peculiar to their order, obliging them to live in absolute silence and solitude, the only sounds coming from the small, ornate fountains found in the corners of the courtyard. Each of the brethren, like the Egyptian monks, occupied a detached cottage, to which was added in the twelfth century a small garden, decorated and cultivated by its tenant. Numbers of these cottages and gardens surrounded the cloisters with central water fountains for water supply which eliminated the necessity of having large centerpiece garden fountains for the grounds under cultivation.
Among the orders of friars were the Dominicans, founded by the Spanish Dominic, and the Franciscans, by St. Francis of Assisi, in the thirteenth century. Both lived according to different lights from the monks, despised all luxury, and their fountains were stark, plain, and functional. They also took less pride in owning beautiful buildings, statuary, and garden decor. Wanderers over the country, preaching and begging for food wherever they happened to stop, unlike the members of other orders, the friars required but small establishments, and few cultivated acres for their food supply, relying instead on natural streams rather than public fountains for their sustenance.
About the Author
To learn about growing bamboo indoors and golden goddess bamboo, visit the Bamboo Flower website.
Ideas for a tricky shday garden spot?
I seem to have a tricky shady garden spot that grows weeds quite well but nothing else really. well, correction, it grows zedbra grass or some sort of decorative grass really well but I have grass in my yard! I'd rather not have another patch of shade growing grass if I can avoid it. Any ideas on plants I can put in that can outgrow the weeds and survive the shade? Oh, they'll be living under pine tress if that helps.
Thanks!
Impatiens, dusty miller, and lobelia do well in shade, but I don't know about the acid soil. Ferns would be nice, but not very exciting. Since they grow wild in the woods, they should do fine under the pine trees. Caladiums would add some color, but they're not hardy, so they'd have to be dug up in the fall.
Decorative Garden
Outdoor Wall Mounted Fountains, Decorative Garden Water Fou
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Decorative Design for a Garden Arbour or Loggia $44.99 French School Decorative Design for a Garden Arbour or Loggia - Giclee Print |
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Decorative Fountain in an Elizabethan-Style Garden in Manteo $39.99 Decorative Fountain in an Elizabethan-Style Garden in Manteo - Photographic Print |
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Decorative Garden Statuary Lined Up at a Garden Supply Store $39.99 Keenpress Decorative Garden Statuary Lined Up at a Garden Supply Store - Photographic Print |
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Large Decorative Garden Bridge with Rails $230 The Large Decorative Garden Bridge with Rails is a sturdily built, arched garden bridge that will work as a great decorative addition to any backyard or garden. The addition of this wooden garden bridge to your backyard is both whimsical and eye catching. Add this bridge to your outdoor area for an enhanced and playful look. For added strength, this garden bridge is built with glue, bolts, screws, and dowels Easy to maintain, keep clean with mild soap and water Made from North American Hardwoods Keep this decorative bridge stored inside during the winter This item ships directly from the manufacturer. Product usually arrives in 14-21 business days, depending on destination, including order processing and shipping. APO/FPO shipping unavailable |
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Decorative Garden Bridge with Posts & Chain $122 Give your outdoor space an element of whimsy with the Decorative Garden Bridge with Posts & Chain. Use this garden bridge to enhance the natural beauty of your backyard. This wood bridge features durable construction. Easy to install. Made of hardwood. This item ships directly from the manufacturer. Product usually arrives in 14-21 business days, depending on destination, including order processing and shipping. APO/FPO shipping unavailable |
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Garden Fern Cachepot Decorative Pot $77 This decorative pot is made of pottery and features a multi-colored painted finish. |
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Decorative Garden Bridge with Posts and Rail $145 Your garden will be taken to the next level with the Decorative Garden Bridge with Posts and Rail. This bridge will transport your garden into a fantastical arcadian landscape. Rustic, yet contemporary, this bridge is a great choice for your backyard. All products are manufactured in the USA. Clear & concise instructions are included for assembly of the final product. For added strength, we use glue, bolts, screws, and dowels in our products. This bridge is made from North American Hardwoods. It can be washed with a mild soap & water. Bridge should be stored inside in winter. This item ships directly from the manufacturer. Product usually arrives in 14-21 business days, depending on destination, including order processing and shipping. APO/FPO shipping unavailable |
Wedding Favors & Decorations - Garden Themed Weddings
For those in the throws of planning their wedding, you know that determining a theme and location can be a pivotal decision that will dictate everything in the arrangements from that moment on. These two elements will give you the direction you need. In reality, decisions on the ideas for wedding favors and decorations, bridesmaid's dresses, colors to be incorporate, flowers, right down to the menu and number of guests that will be invited can all hinge on your location. Many brides and grooms dream of a wedding outdoors. Nature gives us a collection of vast open spaces with ready made decorations, atmosphere and space to accommodate as many or as few as we plan to have in attendance.
Selecting a Garden themed wedding can fill your head with ideas for favors and decorations and virtually any detail you need to consider. Flowers will be available in every color under the rainbow, and dresses can be in soft or vibrant colors, even patterns. Your cake can be dotted with fresh flowers or you can have the tiers decorated with flickering votive or gel candles. A gel candle with a deep pink orchid inside would be a nice touch. Your tables can include the burning tea lights as well, whether in a floral theme or romantic hearts they will add a beautiful touch.
For favors, again with the garden setting being your scheme, items that reflect this romantic setting in heart shapes like candles, coaster and bottle openers are in no short supply. Naturally flowers like the orchids, calla lilies, and cherry blossoms would fit in whether as favors, decorations or both. Place card holders fashioned as small and dainty topiary trees put the garden feel into the table decorations as well. You will be bursting at the seams with ideas!
Whether it will be heart shapes to focus on the romance, flowers and butterflies to reflect the garden and summer or any combination of these ideas you will find you have quite the collection to choose from. When the season is upon us, a garden themed wedding can be an incredibly romantic setting that will launch your imagination full of ideas that will fit into this space and idea beautifully.
About the Author
Use wedding favors and decorations wisely to add charm and elegance to your wedding ceremony and the wedding reception tables. http://www.firstavenueweddingfavors.com/
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Wine Bottle Cork Cage is a Great Place to Save Your Favorite Corks 91-035 $19.00 A fun and innovative way to keep and cherish all of your wonderful wine memories. Just drop your treasured corks in the top. Artfully sculpted metal work with colored glass spheres. Reverse side depicts a grape image in metal. Bottom hinges open to release corks. *Patent Pending... |
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Coca-Cola Wall Mount Bottle Opener $6.30 This is a reproduction of our classic 'Drink Coca-Cola' STARR "X" Bottle Opener. Does not carry the patent# nor the STARR "X" trademark on the bottom of the opener. But is still a great item. Perfect for your kitchen, home bar, deck or any other gathering place. This is an essential item for the beer and soda drinker. Comes with two mounting screws. Purchase a bottle cap catcher to make the bottle... |
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Promise Cake Topper by Willow Tree $25.00 "Hold dear the promise of love" with this heartwarming "Promise" cake topper figurine. Beautifully handcarved from the Willow Tree collection by artist Susan Lordi, this piece will make a stunning addition to your wedding cake. *Made of Resin *Measures 9" tall and weighs 1.1lbs. Brand : One Coast/Lutz - Demdaco See other items from our: Willow Tree Collection Related Bridal People cate... |
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Air Force Flag (Garden Size) $7.99 Make an impression! These beautiful, brightly colored, creatively designed flags are the perfect way to greet someone to your home or garden. Made with tight-stitching and high quality material to last and last. Our applique regular size flags are extra-durable, weather-wear- and fade-resistant, sure to hang proudly in front of your home for month after long-lasting month.... |
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Garden Ruin (Dig) $9.12 Sometimes the worst thing you can do is be very consistently great with your art. Calexico's failure to rise beyond cult status can perhaps be attributed to the fact that their albums are such subtle Whitman Samplers of Tex-Mex-and-kitchen-sink tastefulness. Garden Ruin, the group's poppiest album to date, just might change their socio-economic standing for the better. It's produced by JD Foster, ... |
Decorative Garden