A garden in the Moorish style: the magic of Islamic motifs in the design of the site
Refined oasis – a symbol of life and the greatest joy a person living in the desert. Like sometimes I want to be in such an amazing garden to enjoy the lush greenery, and breathtaking aromas of bright exotic flowers, feel the pleasant breeze in the sun sparkling fountains and gently winding streams. Gardens in the Moorish style – the direct heirs of the famous gardens of the ancient East. Bright representative of such natural areas is described in the Qur’an and created in the likeness of the heavenly places are the Hanging gardens of Babylon, belonging to one of the wonders of the world.
The contents
The classical tradition of Moorish style
Feature gardens in the Moorish style is luxury, pomp and lush riot of colors.
For the Moorish gardens was characterized by the maximum splendor on the background of the need to save life-giving water
Principle #1 — loyalty to the laws of geometry
Differ Moorish gardens and specific layout. Moorish architecture emerged in the NINETEENTH century and in fact is a kind of Muslim garden based on the layout which are the origins of the Muslim religion. The layout of the garden involves the division of the territory into so-called «Chor-bug», in Arabic meaning «four garden».
Symbolically «four garden» represent the elements: air and fire, water and earth. Geometrically they are presented in four sections that are designed in Moorish style — buyusa greenery and cozy corners.
Externally, the garden areas resemble open rooms, whose walls are entwined with the wondrous flowers and vines
The small square is decorated with intricate patterns laid out by a mosaic, something similar to fine galleries located outdoors. When building a garden on a plot with a slope, the main elements drawn in the form of geometrically perfect terraces.
But unlike the regular style in the Moorish gardens of the adjusted geometric plan is successfully combined with the natural exuberance of the vegetation, creating the astounding picturesque scene. Clear lines, which gave the garden a man’s hand, skradyvaetsya a riot of lush flowering plants.
Principle #2 — water is sacred
Water in Islamic philosophy is of paramount importance. It is sacred because it gives whole life. So that is described in the Koran of a Paradise garden is divided by four rivers at four sites. Created in his likeness Moorish gardens water sources try to place so that the water on specially created channels spread over the four sides of the garden.
Central to the garden is a fountain, and the resulting water directional flows divides the territory into four equal square
Water jets in the fountain does not hit the head, and murmuring softly and smoothly flow down the sides. Because water is a sacred gift of heaven, and it cannot be squandered. Pool or pond also make small sizes, trying to save the flow of life-giving water.
The variant of placing of fountains in the four courtyards. But in this case, the sources are arranged so that each corner of the garden there was a view of the water and jets smoothly flowed in four different directions. The fountain may be in the form of a Cup, jug or vase.
The bottom is decorated with multi-coloured tiles, drawing attention to «heart» garden and exterior walls with a mosaic of Islamic stars
Framed by the waters of the wide stone borders or boardwalk, which is convenient to Nestle, enjoying the cool moisture.
Principle #3 — availability of courtyard
A compulsory element of the garden in the Moorish style in favor of the patio. And no matter whether it is adjacent to the house or is located in the heart of the garden. The main thing – the lack of information and transparency to the outside view to enjoy the harmony with nature could only be the hosts and their guests. The role of the fencing of the site can perform densely planted tall shrubs and trees.
Particularly impressive looks this garden house in the background, the walls of which have a slightly rough texture, and exterior finish is made in bright colors
The hot climate forced people to create a shadow veil, pavilions and pergolas that provide shade in scorching heat. In the open area could be placed in a spacious tent with a domed roof made of light fabric «East» wash under arches of which is equipped with garden furniture.
To emphasize the color and luxury of the Moorish garden will allow set under an awning sofa, decorated with variegated and colorful pillows
Marble benches, framed by ornamental shrubs, have a pleasant rest, and philosophical reflections.
The open areas of the patio fill paving of colorful tiles and stones. Colorful mosaics decorate tree trunks circles of trees, archways with climbing plants and flower beds, so they look more advantageous and picturesque.
In this garden will never find a statue with the figures of animals and people – they are prohibited by the Muslim religion.
For the design of transitions from different parts of the garden are used lattices, pergolas and arches, twined with green climbing plants
Prospects of leading from the center of the composition, end gates, arched alcoves or arches.
Principle #4 — a specific rules of gardening
The presence of a pond in the garden helps create a special atmosphere in which to feel comfortable even the most finicky exotic plants. Shrubs and trees unless absolutely necessary do not cut, allowing them to fill the space between the ponds and paths.
The rose garden – the main ornament of the Moorish garden. When choosing colors for the rosary, special attention is paid not only color but also the aroma of blooming buds, creating a seductive fragrant ensemble «Paradise».
A rose garden in the immediate vicinity of the ponds, creating unique compositions dizzying aromas
Decorate the delicate water lilies and spectacular climbing plants.
Fig and pomegranate are symbols of Oriental garden. They decorate the entrance to the site, planted along the paths, around the perimeter of the grounds. An alternative to these trees there may be Magnolia, peaches, and almonds, which are not inferior to the decorative qualities of the exotics, but feel more comfortable in our latitudes. The vertical reference points in the garden will create cherries, apricots and apples.
Fragrant citrus, planted in outdoor containers, will bring to the area required Oriental atmosphere
When selecting trees for garden decoration is a preference for varieties with rounded and pyramidal shape of the crown.
Landscaping a Moorish garden, it is impossible to imagine without mixborders. For its arrangement, perfect poppies, crocuses, daffodils, lilies, lavender and other flowering plants. They are selected in such a way as to ensure continuity of bloom throughout the season. Its place in the garden you will find herbs that are often decorated with Oriental garden.
Well, how do without the famous Moorish lawn that looks like a Persian patterned carpet
Elegant decoration of the Mauritanian grass are fragrant herbs, and colorful wildflowers: marigolds, flax, feverfew, cornflowers, daisies small, nemesio. The majority of plants entering into the composition of mixtures for lawns, with its scent attract butterflies and bees, bringing to the area a special Oriental flavor.
The rules create a Moorish garden
In our latitudes the arrangement of Moorish gardens, has become quite a popular trend of landscape design.
A Paradise created on the site with a small area, choosing for its design flowering plants that can grow in the garden as natural as possible by not requiring haircuts
Moorish landscape style, created on the basis of the Islamic religion has its philosophy. Hard requirements to the basic landscape is there, but when creating a garden it is advisable to adhere to several basic rules:
- The geometry of the garden. The layout of the garden involves the zoning and use in the regeneration of areas of shapes that have a regular geometric shape.
- The availability of water source. Central to the garden is given to the fountain or a small pond. The source should be positioned so that the water was visible from every corner of the garden.
- The selection and combination of plants. For registration of selected garden plants with beautiful foliage and lush flowers. Plants on plots planted in small groups, forming from them «live» Oriental patterns.
- Paving. Free areas of the garden are filled with pavement made of tiles, laid in a checkerboard pattern. Quite often paths and trails spread mosaic Oriental motifs.
Creating a picturesque «oasis» with flowering trees in the garden, you will bring a delightful diversity of the East in their daily lives.