I have just returned from an amazing journey through Syria and Jordan, where l was looking at archaeological sites with Sydney University. The tour involved visiting the most amazing ancient ruins dating from 2800 b.c to 300 a.d, with Syria being the richest in numbers and diversity of sites. I was interested from a landscape perspective as these ancient cities and houses often left remnants of gardens or at least layouts of gardens. The sites not only revealed how gardens were laid out and used but the current housing also reflected the design of those houses and gardens, people are still living the same way they did hundreds of years ago. There was much to learn for Australian gardens and the way we live in our houses and gardens. The facade of the house is not important at all, the entire design is inward looking focusing on the central courtyard, the planting consisted of the most amazingly fragrant jasmine climbing over all the walls and then maybe three or four trees usually fruit trees such as citrus or pommegranites. There was nearly always a central fountain and the paving was brightly coloured and highly detailed marble. The overall feeling was one of coolness in a very hot dry climate this was entirely welcoming. Every courtyard also had an outdoor room they called a liwan, this always faced north so no sun ever shone in on its richly decorated interior which consisted of a built in sofa on all three sides and maybe a fireplace. This room was used all through the summer for outdoor dining and living, perfect for Australian entertaining.
The plantings were nearly always focused on productivity, citrus, loquats, apples, plums, pommegranites, herbs, and some flowers for perfume. These were used extensively in many combinations with all thriving in the heat and dry. Out in the streets Ulmus parvifolia, Quercus spp, Plane trees and some Jacarrandahs thrived. I was amazed by how tough these plants are when they are not fussed over as we tend to do in this country, they simply plant them and give them one water and then leave them to tough it out.
I was fascinated by the architecture of the Roman and Hellenistic period, for me this period of architecture is supreme. Its perfectly proportioned and their main objective is one beauty, not of form but simply to be surrounded by extreme harmony and perfection, for an aesthete like myself this just sings to my heart. l would have so loved to visited that period and experience the cities in their prime, but l had to be content with the antiquity of now and that was still exquisitely beautiful. l recommend these countries to any one interested in gardens and architecture its a great walk back in time to periods that share our passion of plants and gardens both from an aesthetic and productive objective.
Paul.
