Landscape Architecture: Why the Best Parks Look Unplanned
How designers shape land, water and plants, from Persian gardens and Central Park to rain gardens, wildlife corridors and cooling trees.
Try 3 questions
1. What is a 'ha-ha' in an English landscape garden?
- A sunken wall that keeps livestock out unseen
- A hidden grotto built for surprising guests
- A garden bench placed at a scenic viewpoint
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Answer: A sunken wall that keeps livestock out unseen
A ditch with one vertical retaining wall stops animals without interrupting the view, so lawn seems to flow into pasture; walkers' surprise reportedly gave it its name.
2. How did Lancelot 'Capability' Brown earn his nickname?
- Telling clients their land had 'capabilities'
- Finishing every garden ahead of schedule
- Being able to grow any plant in any soil
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Answer: Telling clients their land had 'capabilities'
Brown would assess an estate and declare it had great 'capability' for improvement, then reshape it into sweeping lawns, lakes and tree clumps.
3. How does the traditional Persian 'chahar bagh' garden divide its space?
- Into four parts by crossing water channels
- Into a single long lawn with no paths
- Into rings around a central tall tower
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Answer: Into four parts by crossing water channels
Two axial water channels cross at the center, quartering the garden, a scheme that spread from Persia to Mughal India and Moorish Spain.
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