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If asked the majority of people would say that the garden pond hobby is a relatively new phenomenon. The main reasons for this being its increasing cover on TV and in media circles.

In actual fact it has been around for thousands of years, providing enjoyment and inspiration in peoples day to day and religious activities.

As far as is known the earliest records of people creating water gardens for relaxation and delight date back to about 3000 BC. The ancient Egyptians laid out formal ponds often surrounded by fruit trees and decorative plants and grasses in the walled courtyards of their houses.

Roman gardens of the rich often had large extravagant water features, ponds and pools, found generally in a central colonnaded courtyard that offered shade in the heat of the day and more importantly to the high status roman, peace and quiet away from the rabble outside. The romans really new how to live, even the public baths frequently had an adjoining water garden in which to socialise and unwind.

Set in connected, enclosed courtyards the Persians and Moors produced amazingly beautiful water gardens. The water courses and pools were built with brightly coloured ceramic tiles and together with a formal design to join the various courtyards, these gardens had an intimate and luxurious feel. The Moors and Persians also used fruit trees and ornamental plants carefully arranged in formal compositions.

Individuals in Japan and China have been perfecting the art of water gardening for thousands of years. There it truly is an art, practised by the masters of the craft. The teachings of zen, harmony, peace of mind and restraint are used to carefully design and create the individual persons ideal of their perfect surroundings. Japanese water gardens chiefly focus on a large, deep and clear pond devoid of plant life but housing any number of attractively colourful koi carp.

Unlike the gardens of the Moors and Egyptians the Japanese garden is not really a place for fruit trees. The position of every tree and flower is carefully contemplated, spiritual comfort and pleasure the only goals.

In Europe over recent centuries only the super rich and royalty could afford the decadence and luxury of ornate water gardens, you need only look at the huge amount of great homes in Europe with extensive watergardens in their grounds.

Its only in the last few decades that we have enjoyed a Water Garden Renaissance, seeing interest expanding and growing as more and more people come to understand how spiritually restful and refreshing a well fashioned water garden can be.

Tags: landscaping, gardening