Greek gardens

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A distinction is made between Greek gardens, made in Greece, and Hellenistic gardens, made under the influence of Greek culture in late classical times. Little is known about either.

The works of Homer contain many references to gardens, made during the Homeric Age which preceded the Classical Age. He writes of sacred groves of palace gardens and of flower and vegetable gardens. Sacred groves and flower/fruit gardens were made amongst the fields outside towns like Athens, Mycenae and Tyrens. The palace gardens within their city walls were essentially courtyards but may have contained a few plants grown in pots. The gardens of Classical Greece were of the same three types as in the age of Homer. It late classical times the peristyle form became dominant. This was a paved courtyard, possibly with pot plants, surrounded by a roofed colonade. It was used for palaces and gymnasia.