Temple Gardens
Around many Temples in Ancient Egypt there were sacred lakes or sacred pools. These sacred lakes or pools allowed both the Hem Netjer (Priesthood ) and the Shemsu (followers) to attend and perform their religious rites in a state of purity, which was of the utmost importance to the Egyptians.
Ornamental trees were planted in front of temples, such as that of Hatshepsut (1573-1458 BC) . Entire groves of sycamores and tamarisk trees were found on the grounds of another temple.
The houses of the wealthy and members of the noble class often centered their gardens on a large pool. Sometimes this pool was square and at other times 'T' shaped. The shape of the pool sometimes had religious connotations. These pools were often stocked with ornamental fish and this in turn attracted the waterfowl of the region. Flowers such as white and blue lotuses grew in these pools and papyrus was also grown.
Shade was of utmost importance in an Egyptian garden, and friom the paintings in tombs it is known that columns were used to support a pergola arrangement of vines. As well as providing shady arbors trees were used as a source of fruit, such as dates and figs and domplam nuts. Grapes were often grown for the production of wine or raisins. The sacred persea tree was grown in both religious and secular gardens. Nineteen speicies of trees were reprpesnted in the garden of Ineni, architect to Thutmose I (1505-1492 BC), and among the most popular was the -flowered tamarisk, the acacia and the willow.
Cornflowers, mandrakes, poppies, daisies and other small flowers were grown among the trees and like the lotus flowers , and some of the tree floilage, could be used in the making of garlands for banquets and other occassions. The pomogranate, introduced in the New Kingdom, became a popular shrub and its flowers added to the colour of the garden. The overall effect would be one of cool shade, heavy with the fragrance of the flowers and trees; gardens are thereofore one of the most frequent settings of Egyptian romantic tales.
Egyptian gardeners that were employed by both the temples and for the homes of wealthy were necessarily well skilled in irrigation, watering and tending tthe garden in not the least of which was the artificial propogation of date palms. Such beauty required constant attention and loving care.
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