The Celtic Herbalist's Gardens
- What is "Celtic" Gardening?
"What is Celtic Gardening?".
An 8-part micro-series
starting in Winter '08
The word Celtic used with gardens obviously does not mean the style of gardens that the Celts had. Theirs were obviously limited to some grains and greens. Our use of the word refers, largely, to plant choice, aesthetic style and spiritual inspiration.
These gardens are being designed and installed by an experienced, RHS qualified Garden Designer, Mr. M. Judd. Mike Judd has designed and installed gardens around the world, from South Africa to the South of France .
The core of Celtic belief, after worship of the sun, was the 'Cult of Wood and Water'. Water sources were "sacred" to the Celts, just as they are becoming to us, yet again. Hence, Celtic gardens concern themselves with the restoration, conservation and construction of ponds and wetland. These are valuable habitat. If we cannot recreate the other sacred Celtic landscape feature: woodlands, we can at least, make a small pond for fish, fowl, amphibians and insects.
This emphasis on the importance of life in the Celtic Garden extends to plant life, naturally. Where edible cultivars, or certain species are not vital for foodstuffs, and medicines, we use plants, shrubs and trees indigenous to the old Celtic lands. Basically this means France (Gaul), Britain, Spain and Germany, with an emphasis on species that prefer Warm Temperate (or even Arid) climates. Part of the conservation process on our site will include the (legally sanctioned) introduction of endangered French species. Many of these are herbaceous and floriferous and will be emplaced in the small quantity of sward that we allow ourselves in a garden which is largely woodland and wetland. Celtic Gardening is, of course organic.
The Celtic style favours curvilinear shapes and circles, as opposed to rectilinear shapes. Celtic patterns, "La Tene" or earlier, are used used on all things from wall painting to pokerwork on garden artefacts. All artefacts are of a Celtic style themselves and are often the kind of items found in the Celtic period e.g. monoliths (stellae). They are made from stone, wood, or iron - the Celtic age was the Iron Age. Earthworks, from henges to barrows, are used. Garden buildings, from well houses to arbors, will be in rough wood, thatched, etc.