An enclosed garden describes a space deliberately separated from the surrounding landscape by various physical barriers. This intentional separation transforms a simple plot of land into a defined sanctuary, providing a distinct atmosphere and purpose. Such a design is rooted in the human desire for both privacy and protection within a cultivated area. The boundaries of these gardens create an intimate environment that contrasts sharply with the open world outside, fostering a sense of seclusion and personal retreat.
Defining the Enclosed Garden
The most direct term is the “walled garden,” which refers to a garden literally surrounded by a high, sturdy wall. This term is a clear classification for a garden where the enclosure is built with masonry or similar construction. The physical wall serves as the defining feature, creating a distinct boundary between the cultivated space and the external environment.
A slightly broader and more historical term is the Latin phrase Hortus Conclusus, which literally translates to “enclosed garden.” This term often suggests a private, secluded style of garden, and its boundaries could be walls, hedges, or arcaded walkways. The Hortus Conclusus reflects a need for practical and symbolic separation throughout the history of gardening.
Related to this is the “cloister garden,” also known as a garth, which is the open-air courtyard situated within the covered walkways of a monastery or convent. This type of enclosed garden follows a specific architectural plan, typically featuring four paths dividing the space into quadrants. The structure of the cloister itself provides the necessary enclosure, creating a space for both utility and quiet contemplation.
Another term is the “secret garden,” which is less a formal design type and more an expression of a secluded, unexpected space. It is often a hidden hideaway, concealed by natural barriers like thick shrubbery or a wall with an inconspicuous entrance. This name emphasizes the element of mystery and a sense of discovery for the person who finds the shielded area.
Historical Roots and Symbolism
The tradition of the enclosed garden has ancient roots, with one of the most significant being the Persian ‘paradise garden,’ or pairidaēza, which meant “around a wall.” These gardens were designed as a terrestrial reflection of heaven, laid out with geometric precision and intended to provide shade, water, and order in a harsh landscape. The surrounding wall was necessary for protection, but it also defined a sacred, ordered space apart from the chaos of the desert.
In the European Middle Ages, the concept took on profound religious meaning, particularly within the monastic tradition. The Hortus Conclusus became an emblematic attribute of the Virgin Mary, symbolizing her purity and perpetual virginity. This imagery stemmed from a verse in the biblical Song of Songs that refers to the beloved as a “garden enclosed, a fountain sealed.”
Monastic gardens embodied this symbolism, creating a secure, contemplative oasis separated from the secular world. The enclosure, whether a wall or an arcade, represented security and a refuge from outside intrusion. These spaces often featured a central well or fountain, which symbolically represented the Fountain of Life or the pure waters of baptism.
The arrangement of paths, often dividing the square enclosure into four sections, was also highly symbolic, sometimes representing the four rivers of paradise. The medieval garden was a place for both practical cultivation and spiritual exercise, where monks and nuns could engage in quiet labor and meditation. This dual function of utility and devotion was central to the enclosed garden’s cultural history.
Design Features and Practical Function
The physical structure of the enclosure is highly functional, primarily serving to create a localized microclimate that benefits plant growth. The walls act as a thermal mass, absorbing solar radiation throughout the day. This stored heat is then slowly released back into the garden space during the evening and night.
This thermal regulation can raise the ambient temperature within the garden by several degrees overnight. This effect is powerful enough to mitigate frost damage, significantly lengthen the growing season, and allow gardeners to cultivate sensitive plants that would not survive in the open field. The walls effectively allow a gardener to grow plants suited for a warmer climate zone.
Furthermore, the enclosure provides substantial shelter from damaging winds. Wind can be a major source of stress for plants by causing physical breakage and excessive transpiration. A solid wall slows the wind, creating a calm environment where plants can focus energy on growth rather than survival. The height and material of the wall influence the degree of protection and heat retention.
Historically, the orientation of the walls was utilized for specialized horticulture. South-facing walls, which receive the most sun exposure, were prized for growing tender fruit trees like peaches or figs. These trees were often trained flat against the wall in a technique called espalier, maximizing heat absorption to promote fruit ripening in cooler northern regions.
The opposite side, the north-facing wall, provides a more stable, equable climate without the extremes of hot or cold. This shaded location is ideal for certain plants, such as hardy ferns, fuchsias, or hellebores, which prefer a consistently cool and moist environment. Beyond climate control, the enclosure also offers practical security, acting as a barrier against foraging animals and unauthorized human entry.