Types and Characteristics of Chinese Gardens in the Later Mature Period

The development and evolution of Chinese gardens in the later mature period(the Qianlong-Xuantong period of the Qing Dynasty)were studied,and the types of gardens in this period were sorted out.Moreover,the characteristics of each type of representative gardens were analyzed,and the historical background,overall layout and gardening skills of various types of gardens in China in the period were summarized.Finally,the general characteristics of Chinese gardens in the later mature period were summarized.

Were Herod the Great’s Palace Gardens Unique?

Herod the Great built palaces and complexes with innovative excellence.This article explores his success in creating unique and luxurious gardens in desert areas.It does this by discussing the interaction between Herodian architecture already excavated by archaeologists and the newer science of garden archaeology.The investigation gives a realistic knowledge,through laboratory analysis of the plants grown in Herod’s gardens and how inventive he was.

The contribution of botanic gardens to ex situ conservation through seed banking

Target 8 of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation calls for 'at least 75 per cent of threatened plant species in ex situ collections, preferably in the country of origin, and at least 20 per cent available for recovery and restoration programmes by 2020'.Botanic gardens make a significant contribution to ex situ conservation of wild species with more than a third of plant species represented in botanic gardens collections. These collections are a combination of living collection and seed banked material. Seed banking can provide an efficient form of conservation for wild plant genetic diversity.Information from Botanic Gardens Conservation International's(BGCI) databases(GardenSearch,PlantSearch, ThreatSearch and GlobalTreeSearch) has been analysed as well as survey data to report on global, regional and national seed banking trends.Information from BGCI's databases indicates that there are at least 350 seed banking botanic gardens in 74 countries. In total 56,987 taxa have been banked including more than 9000 taxa that are threatened with extinction. 6881 tree species are stored in ex situ seed bank collections. More than half(3562) of these tree species are single country endemics and represent species from more than 166 countries.This study suggests that institutions are increasingly conserving plant species via seed banking.However the majority of species in collections that have a conservation assessment are not threatened with extinction. This disjunction between species that are threatened and those conserved in seed banks needs to be addressed. Data from BGCI's databases can be used to enable prioritisation of threatened plant species for collection and conservation in seed banks. Further recommendations for botanic gardens involved in seed conservation are presented.

Opportunities and Challenges for the Development of China's Community Gardens

Since the 1970s,community gardens have played an important role in promoting the development of sustainable communities and improving urban environments in the United States. Despite the popularity of spontaneous urban farming activities in China,community gardens have not caught on as an ecologically and socially sustainable urban development strategy. Based on a comparison of community garden development in China and the U.S.,the authors of this article fi nd that the development of community gardens in China will require close collaboration between city planning officials,real estate agencies,urban citizens,and landscape architects.

The future of plant conservation and the role of botanic gardens

1.Introduction The papers included in this special issue are mostly based on presentations made at the IABG international conference held at Shanghai Chenshan Botanical Garden.China,November 2016,which addressed the roles that botanic gardens,both in China and elsewhere,can play in national biodiversity conservation stra-

Artful Application of Garden Plants in Classical Suzhou Gardens

Defi nition of plant landscaping and features of plant landscaping in classical Suzhou gardens were introduced, the forms of combining plants and buildings, rockeries and waterscapes were analyzed by elaborating selection of plant species and plant furnishings. In addition, manifestation of artistic beauty of the classical Suzhou gardens was explored, and protective measures were given.

The Role of Water in Persian Gardens

The role of water in the formation of the first human habitats is a response to a biological need. But when above a need, home building and constructing residential complexes have a cultural meaning, architecture is emerged and water in human life has an artistic place and it is originated from the creativity of the artists and architects. Understanding the concept of water in architecture is understanding the concept of water architecture. Understanding the physical laws of water behavior is our emotions to the interaction of water and most importantly the role and allegory and its relationship with human life. Water is a paradoxical metaphor and along with soil, fire and air, consists of the four comprising elements of the universe. If someone asks us to define water, we say it is a colorless liquid which is the source of life, but is it really the definition of water in architecture and only in terms of the physical aspect, it is an interface between man and architecture? To answer this question, first we examine the available resources in this field and desk studies about the architectural spirit and then examine the water hidden side and the way it affects humans and architecture through descriptive-analytical method, so by contemplating in them, the question can also be answered. From the beginning, water was a vital element not only for the body but for the soul.

Play-with-water Landscapes in Classical Chinese Gardens

From the perspective of delighting and sentimental function of water in classical Chinese gardens, the concept of "play with water" or "dabbling" was introduced. Play-with-water landscapes in many classical Chinese gardens were investigated and classified into 4 types: sound play, shadow play, human play, and water fowl play. Concrete design techniques were explored.

Landscaping Application of Bamboos in Classical Suzhou Gardens

History of bamboo application in Suzhou gardens was reviewed respectively in three stages:Wei and Jin Dynasties,Tang and Song Dynasties,Ming and Qing Dynasties.Bamboo landscapes in such famous classical Suzhou gardens as Humble Administrator's Garden,Lion Grove,Master-of-Nets Garden and Pavilion of Surging Waves were introduced.Techniques of creating bamboo landscapes in classical Suzhou gardens were analyzed,centering on "pathways in bamboo grove winding to serenity","realization to truth","bamboo shadows on white wall","green bamboos and white stones","listening to bamboo breeze","misty bamboo grove",poetic and pictorial splendor and also musical rhythm of bamboo landscapes were highlighted.

Current Plant Landscaping in Southern Gardens and Suggestions for the Optimized Configuration

Abundant lands of China such as Suzhou, Hangzhou, Sichuan and Chongqing are all located in the basin of the Yangtze River, and subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest belt, enjoy mild climate, sufficient rainfall, rich ornamental plant resources and diversifi ed landscaping techniques. In the long-term landscaping practices, plant furnishing arts characterized by diversifi ed layer division, elegant styles, delicate and vivid images have been formed, but are still limited in combination of plant species and selection of varieties. In accordance with personal experience in plant landscaping in recent years, the author provided a few suggestions for the optimized confi guration of plant landscapes in southern regions.

Effects of Different Nitrogen Fertilizer Treatments on Soil Enzymatic Activities in Mulberry Gardens

[ Objective] The present experiment was undertaken to investigate the effects of different nitrogen fertilizer application levels on soil enzymatic activities in mulberry gardens, thus providing reference for rational application of nitrogen fertilizer and production of high-quality mulberry leaves. [Method] Field experiments were conducted with three different nitrogen fertilizer application levels： N, （ 120.75 kg/hm2 ）, N2 （ 172.5 kg/hm2 ）, and N3 （207 kg/hm2 ）. Activities of catalase, urease, acid phosphatase and invertase in soil applied with different amount of nitrogen fertilizer were determined to analyze the correlation between soil enzymatic activities and mulberry leaf yield. [ Result] Activities of urease and invertase in soil were improved with the increasing application level of nitrogen fertil- izer; activities of catalase and acid phosphatase reached the highest in treatment N2. Activities of invertase and urease in soil exhibited significant positive correla- tions; activities of invertase and phosphatase exhibited significant positive correlations; extremely significant positive correlations were found between mulberry leaf yield and activities of urease, phosphatase and invertase in soil. [ Conclusion] Rationally applying nitrogen fertilizer can improve activities of invertase, phosphatase and urease in mulberry gardens ; activities of urease and invertase in soil can be used as indicators to evaluate soil properties in mulberry gardens.

Characteristics of France Le Notre-style Gardens:A Case Study of the Palace of Fontainebleau

Through the analysis of France Le N?tre-style gardens,the basic elements and connotations of French classical gardens were discussed in depth from the gardening background,layout elements,gardening art and methods.The Palace of Fontainebleau was taken as an example to explore the gardening characteristics of French Le N?tre-style gardens.

PRACTICE AND KNOWLEDGE ABOUT RECONSTRUCTION DESIGN OF TRADITIONAL BUILDINGS AND GARDENS

In this paper,the author sums up some essential knowledge from the practiceabout rebuilding traditional buildings and gardens in which the author has been engagedrecently.The view points are that one should discard the dross and select the essential,re-tain the symbolic form,grasp the overall style,embody local characteristics and space outthe distance of time and space between the new and old buildings.Finally,the author con-siders that the traditional form of buildings should not be used indiscriminately at allplaces in modern times.

Comparative Analysis of Imperial Gardens in the Han Dynasty

The Han Dynasty was the foundation period of Chinese feudal society and an important period for the growth and development of imperial gardens.Therefore,the Han Dynasty has always been a hot topic in the study of Chinese classical garden history.This study analyzed the background and mainstream thoughts of the Han Dynasty,compared creative ideas,construction techniques,and garden construction achievements of imperial gardens in the Han Dynasty,and elaborated on the similarities and differences between creative ideas,gardening techniques,and social functions of imperial gardens in the Han Dynasty.It is hoped that through this study,the status of the gardening art of the Han Dynasty in the history of Chinese classical gardens can be evaluated more scientifically and objectively,and some reliable theoretical basis for modern garden design is provided.

Discussions about Gardening Craft of Japanese Gardens and Implications for China

Japanese gardens were developed under the influence of China.In the process of development,the Japanese gardens studied the modern Western gardening craft,and developed unique gardening craft with local regional characteristics and national style in accordance with local conditions.This paper analyzed Japanese gardens through the development of Japanese gardens,the development process,the types of gardens and gardening elements,the characteristics of garden design and the implications for modern and contemporary Chinese garden design.In addition,through an in-depth understanding of Japanese gardens and exploring their intrinsic value,this paper summarized their development experience,in the hope of applying them into the future garden landscape design.

Analysis of Gardening Characteristics and Style Formation of Lingnan Gardens

Lingnan gardens,as one of the three major schools of Chinese classical gardens,have distinct local characteristics and pursue the unity of practicality and artistry.They began to develop during the Qin and Han dynasties,gradually formed their own unique characteristics during the Song and Yuan dynasties,became mature and were extricated from the influence of southern gardens and northern gardens during the Ming and Qing dynasties.In this paper,from the macro and micro levels,as well as natural,social and humanistic perspectives,the style formation of Lingnan gardens was studied.

Research on Design and Manifestation of Seclusion Sentiment in Classical Gardens in South China

After the illustration of the concept of landscape seclusion sentiment and the source of seclusion sentiment of classical gardens in South China, the paper has summarized the influence of Confucian, Taoist and Buddhist thoughts on the creation of seclusion sentiment of classical gardens, and further explored methods to create seclusion sentiment. It considers that seclusion sentiment of landscape is generally created through rockeries, waters, plants disposition, landscaping buildings and pavements, paintings and carvings.

Comprehensive Management Measures for Chicken Rearing in Tea Gardens in Karst Region

In karst region,industrial development is closely related to rocky desertification control. Using abundant natural resources in karst areas to develop chicken rearing in tea gardens can not only make full use of natural resources and alleviate the contradiction between development and governance in rocky desertification areas but also produce good quality chicken. In this paper,the comprehensive management measures related to chicken farming in tea gardens in karst region were elaborated,in order to provided certain guiding significance for practical production.

Aesthetic Features of Leaking Windows in Traditional Gardens in South of the Yangtze River

Gardening style in south of the Yangtze River was reviewed, and aesthetic features of local gardens were summarized as full of humanistic connotations, modeling after the nature, graceful and free from vulgarity, refined and refreshing, implying profound significance in detailed designs, integrated virtual and real scenery. On this basis, form and meaning of leaking windows in the gardens were analyzed, and artistic means of designing leaking windows were summarized from the perspectives of leaking through scenery and borrowed scenery, virtual and real scenery, in-motion and in-position scenery.

Ornamental Grasses in Kew Gardens

Definition and ornamental characteristics of ornamental grasses,as well as a general background of Kew Gardens were introduced,with an emphasis of species and landscaping modes of ornamental grasses in Kew Gardens.