2018 ASHS Annual Conference

The history of Persian gardens goes back to a few millennia before the emergence of Islam in Iran (Persia). Designs of Persian or Iranian gardens have influenced the designs of gardens all around the globe. Styles of Persian gardens are used extensively in the gardens of Al-Andalus in Spain and Humayun's Tomb and Taj Mahal in India, and many gardens in the USA and other countries. Bagh in the Persian language (Farsi) means “garden”. For example, it is believed that the word Baghdad (the capital city of Iraq) is rooted from the words “Bagh” and “Daad” (meaning the garden of justice), since the ancient Persian city of Ctesiphon and supreme court of Ivan-e Madein during Sassanid dynasty of Persia were located near Baghdad. Pasargadae, the capital city and tomb location of Cyrus the Great, is the earliest example of Persian botanical garden design known in human civilization as Chahar Bagh or fourfold garden design. “Bagh-e Eram” or “Garden of Eden” or “Eram Garden”, which is one the most amazing botanical gardens in the world, is located in Shiraz, Iran. Bagh-e Eram was established during the Persian Saljughi dynasty era (1037-1193) and is now over 1000 years old. There are numerous other botanical and urban ancient gardens in Iran, including Bagh-e Shazdeh in Mahan, Golestan National Park near the Caspian Sea, Bagh-e Fin in Kashan, Bagh-e El-Goli in Tabriz, and Bagh-e Golshan in Tabas. The design of each Persian garden is influenced by climate, art, culture, poetry, literature, and romance of the country and the region where the garden is located. Additionally, each garden represents a wide range of germplasm of fruit, flowers, herbs, and vegetables. Although countless gardens were destroyed in the hands of invaders over centuries, Persians have attempted to either rebuild or build new gardens generation after generation, each of which has become a favorite destination for tourists from all around the world.