History and Styles
This part of the web-site is a combination of an historical review of water in the garden and an overview of the styles that pertained during the evolution of water gardening throughout the world. As with many other subjects and varied facets of life, much can be learned from history. With water gardening not just the practical elements of the subject, but design aspects too. It is these latter for which these pages are most useful.
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 Much can be learned from history, and with water gardening it is no different.
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 The cradle of water gardening was in the Mediterranean and Middle East.
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The earliest use of water in the garden tended to be very practical and over time became adapted to ornamentation. The cradle of early water gardening was in the Mediterranean and Middle East where water was an imported necessity for the plants. Over a period of time the fact that water was needed in large quantities within the garden was regarded as a virtue rather than a practical necessity and irritation.
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As the conversion of water into a garden feature evolved, being the source of all life, it began to take on a religious significance and was arranged to suit the teachings of various faiths, notably Islam. Much of this design element is revealed in early paintings and can still be observed in the design of artefacts, like Persian rugs.
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 The arrangement of water, as illustrated here, often had strong religious significance.
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 The extravagant use of water, especially in Italy, is legendary, as seen here with the medieval spouts of Fontana delle 99 Cannelle.
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Later water became introduced for its own sake. Its extravagant use, particularly in Italy is legendary. Many of the most outstanding fountain, rill and water staircase arrangements of that time are still unsurpassed today, although they have been copied and adapted in various parts of the world. Although their scale is unquestionable grand and is completely alien to the modern garden, the careful observation of individual elements can be extremely useful for recreating or adapting for the present day garden.
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For the water garden designer it is expected that the History and Styles Pages will be inspirational, as well as historically informative. As the purpose of Australian Water Gardener is to improve and enhance the water gardens of our great country, the historical aspects are followed by the practical, each style being represented by an ever-growing library of illustrations of water gardening artefacts of the period, which can either be adapted or reproduced. In cases where reproductions exist and are commercially available, then these are shown too.
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 Artefacts like this ancient gargoyle can provide an inspiration for modern designers.
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