Planning your own personal plot so that the guests are breathtaking with delight and at the same time do not turn to the expensive services of professionals in the field of landscape design is a difficult task, but quite feasible. For its implementation, it is very important to clearly define for yourself the general spirit that the project should comply with, and try, if possible, to adhere to the classical canons of a given direction. About what principles should be followed for the design of the house territory in the invariably fashionable Moorish style - below in all details and details.

History of style and its classic canons

Mauritania is a modern Muslim state in West Africa with a rich and complex history., which is reflected in the traditions, tastes and attitude towards the arrangement of their own homes. Thus, over a hundred centuries before the birth of Christ, the natives of the Negroid race were gradually supplanted by the nomadic Berber tribes, who later converted to Islam. Starting from the XI century of the new era, the country was completely conquered by the Arabs, who gradually instilled in Berbers and Negroes not only language and religion, but also their own ideas about beauty.

Did you know? The name "Mauritania" on stony and deserted land on the Atlantic coast of the Black Continent more than five thousand years ago was given by sailors from Ancient Phenicia. Literally, “Mauharim” means “western edge”.

However, although the Moorish style is the embodiment of the spirit of a medieval Muslim state and is designed to recreate an atmosphere of an oasis of fertile coolness and luxury in the middle of a desolate thirst, which is consistent with the geography of Mauritania, the history of this trend in landscape design is not connected with Africa, but with Europe.

In the VIII – XVI centuries. on the territory of modern Spain there was an Arab state - the Granada emirate. The direct proximity of the two cultures - eastern and western - was not at all peaceful, but, nevertheless, they inevitably exerted a direct influence on each other, surprisingly intertwining and creating something new that was not characteristic of either Christians or Muslims.

It was in this “combination of incongruous” that the Alambra was created - the famous palace-fortress, surrounded by a magnificent park ensemble, which the Arabs erected on top of a picturesque hill in southern Spain. For a long time, the Alambra was the residence of the dynasty of emirs ruling in Granada, but in 1492 the Spaniards conquered it - King Ferdinand II of Aragon and his wife Isabella I of Castile.

Important! The main difference between the Moorish style in architecture and landscape from purely Arabic is the departure from the mandatory scale in the form of vast spaces: Europeans have learned to place oriental luxury on any, even very small, squares.

With the reign of the Mediterranean monarchs in the Arab gardens, the appearance of the architectural complex was modified and further adapted to European culture, and this was primarily reflected in the fact that the Spanish conquerors, inherent in Muslim emirs, used the Spanish conquerors to decorate the courtyards of their homes, while preserving the original sophistication and sophistication of lines.

As a result of such strange metamorphoses and transformations, a style was born that was later called Moorish. It is this feature that makes it possible to widely use the traditions of the Moorish style in landscape design, including in the design of private household territories.

Characteristics of a Moorish-style site

The Moorish Garden is an island of greenery in the middle of the desert. Everything should be present here that a traveler, tired of the heat, could dream of, imagining heaven on earth: the fragrance of fresh grass and exotic flowers, the murmur of a life-giving stream, a light cool breeze - in a word, a riot of colors, sounds and aromas. On the whole, “man-madeness” is not so important to comply with this idea, because the rich nature in its primeval nature in itself looks amazing.

Did you know? Al-Beit al-Akdam, or Kaaba, is one of the main Muslim shrines located in Mecca, on the territory of the Forbidden Mosque (Masjid al-Kharm), and a place of pilgrimage during the Hajj. The construction, made in the form of a cube, according to the Qur'an, was the first building in the history of mankind that people erected to worship Allah.

Nevertheless, in a modern interpretation, the Moorish style of landscape design involves the observance of well-defined rules:

1. The presence of a water source in the center of the composition. It can be an artificial reservoir, a fountain or a waterfall, however, all the other elements should be built around the water. Since Islam is practiced by the people living in the territories of hot countries with a predominantly desert climate, the attitude to water as something sacred was clearly reflected in the entire system of understanding and thinking of Muslims. There is no life without water, and the Moorish landscape is impossible without it.
2. Correct geometric shapes. Muslims, as you know, adhere to strict haram (prohibition) on the image of any living creatures. The philosophical reason for this strange, in the European opinion, restriction is the following postulate: the one who creates the image of a person or an animal likens himself to the Creator, Allah, and this is a great sin. Since the fulfillment of such a requirement significantly narrows the field of creativity of artists, sculptors and architects, in the Arabic style, paramount importance is given to elegance and, at the same time, sharpness of lines.
3. Compliance with the compositional principle of “chor-bak”, literally translated as “four gardens”.It involves dividing the site into four parts in the form of regular squares (the cube and square are sacred symbols of Islam). The boundaries of this section diverge from the center on the cardinal points (on large areas, each quarter, in turn, should be divided in the same way). This principle personifies the four rivers of Eden - the Tigris, Euphrates, Jeyhun and Fison. In the center of each square, according to the classical canons, a source of water should again be located. Dividing lines can be stone-paved alleys or paths, hedges, and even better - canals (streams).
4. Patio. This space can be located in any part of the site, but it is important that the territory is closed from prying eyes by buildings or vegetation. In accordance with the Muslim tradition, here, in complete seclusion and away from the hustle and prying eyes, the owner can truly feel harmony with nature, indulge in thoughts of the eternal, turn to God.
5. Numerous and varied greens. It is very important that it be planted randomly and look deliberately neglected. The contrast of strict lines in the construction of the site scheme and complete freedom in the approach to its floral design is one of the fundamental features of the Moorish style. Bushes and trees should not be sheared, and herbs and flowers should be selected so that their colors are as rich and bizarre as possible.

Design Nuances

Having figured out how the Moorish style in landscape design was born and what are its main distinguishing features, it's time to try to send the information received to the applied channel, applying it to the arrangement of a particular site.

Water

Water is an indispensable attribute of the Moorish landscape, but it should not be much. In the desert, every drop of life-giving moisture is worth its weight in gold, and therefore there can be no talk of any grandiose fountains wastefully spraying powerful and noisy jets of water around it.

In the concept of "reservoir" it is quite possible to fit a small picturesque stream, flowing smoothly in a given channel or flowing down with a quiet murmur from a small height, as well as a very tiny pond or pool, fenced with a high curb or benches for relaxation.

This feature is very important for understanding, because it makes an incredibly beautiful and refined style in the landscape accessible to the masses of landowners, because an artificial pond is not a cheap design, however, if you think about its structure correctly, such an element can be built on the basis of a regular watering system, which is already available Available in almost every garden.

Sun protection

The best place to hide from the sweltering midday sun is the gazebo. But the Moorish style dictates its own rules in the design of this building. Unlike the classic English form of a simple and elegant pavilion, the Arabic version of the gazebo assumes maximum sophistication and even pretentiousness.

The roof is usually carried out in the form of a dome, and this requirement (generally not strict, but still recommended to be observed as the "visiting card" of the East) can greatly complicate the task of "maintain the given style", since only a specialist can build such a roof carpentry.

Moreover, ideally, the roof and walls should be decorated with oriental ornaments or intricate carvings, which too is far from everyone's strength. The internal space of the gazebo can be divided into sections, it is especially important to provide such partitions if the structure has a large area.

Another characteristic feature of the style is the spread of a place to rest not only on the territory inside the arbor, but also on the area around it. It is recommended to install benches here, and place a stationary barbecue or tandoor nearby - a special oven in the form of a ball or jug ​​for baking meat.

If the gazebo is made closed, the windows in it should be very large so that the interior space is purged with a fresh breeze, and guests do not feel stuffy. But the material from which the pavilion is made, the Moorish style does not impose strict requirements, although it is better to use wood or decorative stone.

What to choose plants for the garden

There are no clear laws when choosing plants in Moorish landscape design, but you should try to fill the plot with flora so as not to violate the main rule: the garden should resemble an oasis in a hot desert, not a clearing in a taiga forest.

Important! Moorish style is a Mediterranean tradition with a pronounced Arabic flavor.

Guided by this principle, plants should be, if possible:

• thermophilic;
• Exotic
• multi-colored;
• bright and long-blooming;
• very fragrant.

The presence of an open source of water implies the landing of moisture-loving crops. As already mentioned to cut tall perennials, and even more so, try to give them the right or strictly thought-out forms, you should not: the Moorish garden suggests a contrast between the straight lines of the paths and the deliberate neglect of vegetation.

At the same time, there should be a lot of greenery in the territory, plants should literally fill with themselves all the free space, giving a precious shadow and protecting from the scorching heat. A flower bed with roses is almost the same integral part of the East as a reservoir.

It is necessary to select a composition so that each flower differs from its neighbors in color and shape, and it is very important that all varieties have their own aroma - the rose garden should literally be intoxicating and intoxicating when approaching it.

Do not ignore the pond or pool itself. The water surface will be much more consistent with the style, if you decorate it with bright water lilies, fragrant water lilies and decorative algae.

Speaking of trees, the best choices for the Moorish garden are:

• Garnet;
• figs;
• peach;
• almond.

These heat-loving plants are not quite familiar in the middle lane, but rapid climatic changes make adjustments to the prevailing ideas about the territorial zones of growing fruit crops, in addition, breeders are constantly engaged in the cultivation of frost-resistant varieties and hybrids, expanding the range of tropical flora further north.

Therefore, already today the owner of a dacha near Moscow can very well grow pomegranates, kiwi, and persimmons in his area. However, in the Moorish garden there is always a place for apple trees, cherries, apricots and other fruit trees that are usual in our latitudes, you only need to try to select varieties with a round or pyramidal crown, it fits very well into the oriental style.

Moorish lawn

If the English lawn is a neatly trimmed grass of juicy green color, which occupies a vast and, at the same time, completely open space, then in the Moorish style it is generally difficult to speak about the lawn in its classical meaning.

The eastern garden practically does not involve open areas, there is not and cannot be trimmed grass here either. Small distances between shady and tall perennials in a “paradise in the middle of the desert” should be occupied by lush and fragrant forbs.

In order to get such a lawn, you can buy special lawn mixtures, which are dominated by fragrant herbs and colorful wildflowers, or arrange the planting material yourself. It is very important to choose plants so that they bloom at different times, and the "lawn" never loses its elegant mottled appearance, remaining simply green.

As possible components for such a mix, in particular, it is worth using:

• cornflowers;
• daisies;
• multi-colored bells;
• marigold;
• violets;
• lavender;
• Lilies
• calendula
• pyrethrum;
• common flax or large-flowered;
• oriental poppy;
• bluegrass;
• timothy grass meadow;
• Echinacea purpurea;
• thin polevole;
• pasture ryegrass.

The composition can also be supplemented with bulbous plants - daffodils, tulips, crocuses, hyacinths, etc. Bright and fragrant meadow flowers, as a rule, are excellent honey plants, due to which they attract bees, colorful butterflies and other insects, and those, in turn, - birds.

As a result, the atmosphere on the site is filled with cheerful hubbub, buzzing and fluttering, and the more life is present in the garden, the more oriental flavor is felt in it.

Mixborders

In landscape design, a mixborder refers to complex flowerbeds or flower beds planted using plants of different growths, as if in several tiers. An important feature of such a composition is the culture so selected by the timing of flowering that during the whole season the flower bed never remains without flowers, and their color always looks harmonious.

The last requirement in relation to the Moorish mixborder can not be observed: in the eastern garden it is not important to maintain an impeccable taste, there is no place for the concept of “too” - the more contrasting and bright colors, the better.

Did you know? One of the most expensive representatives of the flora in the world is medinilla, a tropical plant native to Asia and Africa with large flowers of a delicate pink hue, effectively hanging from the stems, like grapes. Such a bush can be a wonderful decoration of the Moorish garden, however, one plant costs about 150 US dollars.

The “lower” tier of the mixborder can be formed due to the meadow and garden flowers listed above, and the middle and upper tier can be filled with decorative and flowering shrubs, including:

• roses;
• lilac;
• hydrangeas;
• camellias;
• Weigel;
• jasmine
• crocuses
• rhododendrons;
• actions;
• ringworm;
• nemesia;
• Spirea
• forsythia;
• hibiscus, etc.

Making out a mixborder, one should not forget that plants should be not only bright, but also certainly fragrant.

Tracks

Paths in the Moorish garden should be lost in the shade of trees and drowned in lush greenery. In accordance with the strict canons of style, tiles should certainly be used as a cover - best decorative, decorated with oriental ornaments and laid out in the form of mosaics.

Fencing

The palace of any eastern ruler has always been protected from the world of mere mortals by a high and reliable fence, and this peculiarity of mentality is one of the reasons why the Moorish garden cannot be open and accessible. The abundance of hedges and partitions is necessary not only to create a sense of solitude, but also in order to emphasize their own exclusivity, security, isolation from external fuss.

When the sun is beaming around, vegetation is almost completely absent, and water is an almost inaccessible luxury, an oasis of greenery, coolness, fragrance of flowers and cheerful twitter of birds contrasting with all this scorched earth should be reliably hidden even from the eyes of others, so that only the lord could enjoy it - Khan, Emir, Padishah, etc.

Forged fences in the classical Moorish garden use forged vertical gratings and weightless arched-type structures, while, following the general idea of ​​the maximum possible landscaping, it is advisable to braid even these hedges with a dense green carpet of decorative vines - Chinese magnolia vine, girl's grapes, etc.

As for the internal distinction between square zones, they are best done in the form of hedges or borders, and it is important that the plants are not very tall.

Important! Since plants fulfill the sacred role of dividing lines when forming borders, contrary to the general rule, such hedges can and should be trimmed carefully, keeping their ideally regular shapes.

Furniture and other style accessories

The furniture and interior decoration of the eastern room is very different from the western idea of ​​beauty and comfort. The main accessory of the Moorish style in the interior is the abundance of carpets and pillows of various colors and sizes. Guided by this rule, to design a gazebo or terrace, you can use almost any furniture - wooden, wicker and even plastic, styling it accordingly "to the east."

But in the classic version, Arabic luxury involves the use of more expensive material for the manufacture of furniture - marble, forging (for benches), natural wood. Another important attribute of the Moorish style is the abundance of vases, intricate candlesticks and lamps a la "Aladdin's lamp", as well as a tub with lush plants - curly, ampelous or simply spreading.

Crockery and other household utensils are primarily porcelain, faience and ceramics, without fail with rich oriental ornaments and an abundance of golden flowers: there is never much shine in the oriental style. Curtains made of light and translucent fabric, for example, silk, which should fulfill the role of protection from the sun and insects, are very suitable for the color.

The site in the Moorish style is the embodiment of the magical tales of Shaherizada from "One Thousand and One Nights." But for all its deliberate luxury and seemingly high cost, in reality such a project can be implemented even within the framework of a rather modest budget on a very small area, especially since the open space in the eastern concept is completely absent.

Another undoubted advantage of the Moorish style in the landscape is that the garden in this case practically does not require leaving, shaping and cutting, because the main feature of the paradise in the desert is the abundance of lush greenery that the human hand did not touch.