Roman Garden

The original reason for creating a Roman Garden at Chester Zoo was to celebrate the millennium, and to link it in some way to the City of Chesters historical Roman past. The objective has been to reproduce a garden which shows the style of architecture used, and the range of plants grown, by the Romans at the height of their occupation of Chester, circa. 200 AD. An expert on Roman Gardens, Ms Linda Farrer, has been consulted throughout the design, and building of the garden, to ensure historical accuracy.

From archaeological evidence uncovered in the UK it can be assumed that the Romans cultivated a wide range of plants, some native to the UK, while others were imported from the Mediterranean. These plants were grown in a variety of gardens ranging in size from a cultivated estate, to a few square metres attached to small dwellings. Roman gardens were generally very formal in arrangement and relied heavily on architecture. Trees and columns would be in straight lines, and the planting beds would be very regular in shape, size and pattern. The gardens would also contain seats in alcoves, small cascades, ponds and fountains, tiled pathways, statuary, urns and pitchers. Elements of all these architectural styles have been reproduced in the garden at Chester Zoo.

The Roman garden at Chester shows the three main garden types, reflecting the purpose for which they had been designed.

The medicinal garden Often found in a courtyard, surrounded by the buildings of a hospital. The plants had medicinal properties and would be used by the medical staff to treat the patients.

The ornamental garden Normally attached to the principal officers quarters, or to the public baths. They were primarily gardens of peace and tranquillity and would offer a retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The plants would be mainly ornamental and there would be fountains and pools. The beds would be enclosed by clipped hedges, which would be composed of either box or aromatic plants such as lavender or rosemary. Pergolas would be used to train ivy, vines, hops and wild roses.

The Rusticus or domestic garden for the growing of food crops, culinary herbs, fruit trees and other useful plants such as flax, woad, etc. Beehives were commonly found in the Rusticus garden.
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