The History of Botanic Gardens

Course Title: Garden History: Botanic Gardens

Type of Course: Adult Education

Credit: Not credit bearing

Taught Hours: 20

Session Titles

1. The earliest records – texts revealing botany in Egypt and plant use in ancient times

2. The Kingdom of Flowers – China – oranges and camellias

3. The rediscovery of the ancients – texts and gardens in the Renaissance

4. Pisa, Padua and Florence – gardens for learning and collecting

5. Portugal – plants, spices and parrots

6. Spanish botanic discoveries and Philip II’s garden notebook

7. Herbals and a little plagiarism

8. Dutch East India Company, piracy and pineapples

9. France and the gardener botanist

10. Botanists and the Enlightenment

Course Overview

Although botanical gardens were known in the ancient world, they really became features in the western European landscape in the Middle Ages. Growing from medicinal herb gardens, they developed rapidly in the Renaissance to become significant status symbols and centres for extending scientific knowledge.

But the story of botanical gardens is also full of intrigue, duplicity and one-upmanship, with fierce competition between gardeners, plant hunters and their patrons to find new species as western empires grew, and the potential economic benefits of many plants became clear.

Whether you enjoy gardening or visiting gardens, or are just fascinated by history, art history or the renaissance world, join us on this extraordinary exploration into the birth of modern gardening.

Required Previous Experience (if any)

None

Required Reading Material or Special Equipment Needed (if any)

None specified

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this course you will be better prepared to:

• Recognise and identify the stylistic qualities of a number of botanic gardens and their history and evolution from and differences to earlier garden forms.
• Identify the different forms of botanic gardens in different parts of the world and at different periods of time.
• Recognise and/or discuss a number of botanic gardens in relation to their formal qualities, symbolism and use, and social and historical context, and their relationship to broader art and cultural history.

Teaching and Learning Approach

The teaching and learning approach for this course combines tutor-led instruction, group activities, and independent study supported by individual guidance from the tutor. Classes are conducted face-to-face in a classroom setting and utilise diverse teaching methods, including presentations, multimedia resources, class discussions, and interactive activities.

These methods are selected to engage students, accommodate varied learning styles, and support effective understanding of the subject matter. The approach is also designed to recognise and be responsive to the diverse experiences, backgrounds, identities, and cultural perspectives represented within the student cohort, fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment for all students.

Additional Information

This course descriptor may be subject to change during the delivery of the course, depending on the specific direction and nature of the learner cohort, and is intended to be responsive to the group dynamics as they emerge during the delivery of the course.