Medieval English Garden Design

Henry V (1413-1422)

The Garden of Windsor Castle, surrounded by a stone wall, flowers and planted trees.

John Leland (1503-1552)

Wressle Castle, Yorkshire had a flower garden within the castle walls. The fruit was grown outside of it that was arranged in a rising spiral, where mounds were built up with steps to the top.

Medieval Garden Design

1. Geometrical layouts where measured, symmetrical with paths crossing at right angles that met at the center to form a cross. There are symmetrically positioned beds between the paths.

2. Materials used were either stone or wood for the paths. Wood chips, gravel or wicker were used for edging around the beds.

3. Fountains were centrally placed due to the biblical significance of cleanliness. It would include a sundial, in addition or substitution in a medieval garden.

4. Grasses and wildflowers were planted, and beds were raised to prevent plants from becoming oversaturated.

5. Flowers in this period included; Roses, Madonna Lilies, Sweet Violets, Daisies, Cowslips, Iris', Carnations, Columbines, Periwinkles, Pansies, Daffodils.

The gardens were made to sustain manor houses and grew vegetables, herbs, fruits and important food sources. Cloister Garden Herbs and Plants