What makes a delightful garden depends on the opinion of each individual. However, one could take a typical English garden delightful garden which replaced the more formal, symmetrical garden à la française of the 17th century as the main type of garden in Europe. In that way, a delightful garden represents an idealized view of the nature and is inspired by paintings of landscape. A delightful garden often is also influenced by the oriental style of Chinese gardens of the East.
The English delightful garden usually contains a lake, arcs of softly laid out laws, sitting against the background of groves of trees and recreations of oriental or classical temples and pavilions. Furthermore, bridges, gothic ruins and other picturesque architecture can be part of a delightful garden to recreate an idyllic atmosphere. So the influence within Europe turned around, from being influenced by the French garden to being inspired by the typical English delightful garden. Nowadays a delightful garden still reminds of the 18th and 19th century. Flowers are neatly and orderly planted in a delightful garden, patios, walk ways and other path are carefully laid out and the grass is juicy green and always cut accurately.
A delightful garden can be artistic with stone sculptures serving as decoration. The main attribute of a delightful garden is probably that you can see that its function is not to be cultivated or in any other way occupied but its main function is to appear beautifully for the owner?s and, most importantly, for the visitors. When you hear delightful garden you imagine a family of rather upper class than working class. When you hear delightful garden you would probably not think of campers enjoying a barbecue outside with raw meat, cans and loud noises. When you hear delightful garden you are more inclined to imagine an exquisite group of perfectly dressed women having a cup of tea and discussing their business of life.
© Ronald Hudson – Fotolia.com