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A garden is a planned space, usually outdoors, set aside for the display, cultivation and enjoyment of nature. The garden can incorporate both natural and man-made materials. In its most common form, known as a residential garden, it is found adjacent to or near to a residence, and it functions as an outdoor "room". It may, however, also be located in less traditional areas such as on the roof, in an atrium, on the balcony, in windowboxes or on the patio.
The garden is designed at "human scale", as it is most often for private use. However, the garden of a castle or of a large estate may be larger than a public park in a village, and may well produce foodstuff.
Gardening is the activity of growing and maintaining the garden. This work may be done by a professional gardener. A gardener might work in a non-garden setting, such as a park, a roadside embankment, or another public space.
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A garden can have many purposes— aesthetic, functional and recreative. People develop a relationship with the space. That relationship can take many forms; among these are:
Other outdoor spaces that are similar to gardens include:
Garden planning and garden design may be undertaken by a professional. A landscape architect is a trained, certified and registered professional who can plan and realise outdoor spaces. A garden designer is usually trained to plan and realise residential gardens.
The planner must give consideration to many factors:
The elements of a garden consist of natural conditions and materials, as well as man-made elements:
Natural conditions and materials:
Man-made elements:
Gardens may feature a particular plant or plant type:
Gardens may feature a particular style or aesthetic:
Gardens may function in a particular manner:
See history of gardens page.