A study on planting design and its evolution in the private gardens of the Song dynasty

The conservation of historic gardens is crucial for safeguarding monumental, aesthetic, historical, ecological, and economic values in countries worldwide. This study employs textual, iconographic, statistical, and comparative analytical methods, using 400 private garden records collected in The Complete Works of Song and Song dynasty paintings as research material. It aims to restore the real appearance of planting design in private gardens during the Song dynasty while revealing the laws of change and the factors that influence them. The study found that the plant selection in private gardens during the Song dynasty was diverse, and the prevalence of native tree species remained stable. The decreasing prevalence of peonies, peach trees, and plum trees in private gardens and the rise in popularity of plum blossom, sweet osmanthus, and crabapple reflected changes in the literati’s aesthetic preferences and the influence of Neo-Confucianism. Moreover, the private gardens of the Song dynasty constructed a harmonious and unified garden space. This study validates the enduring relevance of the Song dynasty’s planting wisdom, offering foundational principles for both the restoration of historic gardens and the development of sustainable contemporary landscapes.

Garden design · Period (music · Sowing · Intuitionistic Fuzzy Systems Applications · Landscape and Cultural Studies · Urban and spatial planning

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