Gardens
 A garden is a planned
space, usually outdoors, set aside for the display, cultivation,
and enjoyment of plants and other forms of nature. The garden can
incorporate both natural and man-made materials. The most common
form is known as a residential garden.
Western gardens are almost
universally based around plants. Zoos, which display wild animals
in simulated natural habitats, were formerly called zoological
gardens. Some traditional types of eastern gardens, such as
Zen gardens, use plants sparsely or not at all.
Xeriscape gardens use local
native plants that do not require irrigation or extensive use of
other resources while still providing the benefits of a garden
environment. Gardens may exhibit structural enhancements,
sometimes called follies, including water features such as
fountains, ponds (with or without fish), waterfalls or creeks, dry
creek beds, statuary, arbors, trellises and more.
Some gardens are for ornamental
purposes only, while some gardens also produce food crops,
sometimes in separate areas, or sometimes intermixed with the
ornamental plants. Food-producing gardens are distinguished from
farms by their smaller scale, more labor-intensive methods, and
their purpose (enjoyment of a hobby rather than produce for sale).
Gardening
is the activity of growing and maintaining the garden. This work
is done by an amateur or professional gardener. A gardener might
also work in a non-garden setting, such as a park, a roadside
embankment, or other public space. Landscape architecture is a
related professional activity with landscape architects tending to
specialize in design for public and corporate clients.
The term "garden" in
British English refers to an enclosed area of land, usually
adjoining a building. This would be referred to as a yard in
American English. Flower gardens combine plants of different
heights, colors, textures, and fragrances to create interest and
delight the senses.
See Also
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