Alley Marie Jordan is a Garden Historian who completed her PhD at The University of Edinburgh with a focussing on the account of classical garden .
Alley ’s passionateness for botanic history runs late and she has published article in various literary publications , such as The Mediterranean Lifestyle Magazine .
I spoke with Alley about her dearest for garden and how she acquire such a deep interest in the subject .
When Did You First Become Interested In The History Of Gardens?
“ I became interested in the chronicle of gardens when I went to work on a Grecian farm during my second twelvemonth of university , ” shares Alley . “ I was studying Classics at the time .
“ When I came back to Seattle to finish my studies , my Classics advisor created an autonomous study for me on classical gardening and farming , based on my experience .
“ That is when I first started to read Virgil , Horace and others in earnest , not just for interlingual rendition . I also show about classical garden influences in the post - Classical world , which open so many doors for me intellectually .
“ After hold out in Greece and being connect to the landscape , garden history opened up to me . ”
When Did You Know You Wanted To Make A Career Out Of This And What Led You To This Decision?
“ I knew I wanted to make a life history out of this almost right away whilst studying it at university because ancient garden interested me so much .
“ It was definitely a niche signifier of study and I was thrilled to contribute to the field through an academic lens .
“ I also just love composition ! ” Alley say . “ I delight in writing and researching . I ’ve always known that I need to be a author and I know I wanted to issue . I went to university to become an academic so that I could do this .
“ I am golden to have found two things that I am passionate about and to be able-bodied to meld them : garden and writing .
“ The first time I got published was in the Journal of Garden History and to see my research in print made me palpate like a literal Garden Historian . I am so fortunate to be able to share my inquiry and write with others .
“ I am nowhere happier penning than in a historical garden . ”
How Have Gardens & Their History Shaped Your Life And Own Interests?
“ I get along to know myself through my research in Garden account , ” she sound out .
“ It was a berth where I could sweep off past donnish anticipation of me and where I could build my own identity as a scholar and as a person , rather than follow others ’ ideas of what I should become or analyse .
“ Garden History is a subject that is as intellectually stimulating as it is beautiful . I begin to see garden everywhere and I loved that mind-set – to seek beauty and greenery in all places . ”
Do You Have Any Favourite Gardens In The UK?
“ Of naturally ! There are plainly too many to enumerate because the UK is world - renowned for its incredible gardens .
“ Sometimes it can be overwhelming as a garden historiographer to opt because there is so much account and interest here . Having said that , Pitmedden Gardenin Aberdeenshire is in all likelihood my favorite . I absolutely love baroque garden !
“ I love parterres , sumptuous topiary , ornamentation and such disingenuous displays of structuring nature . Pitmedden finger like a number of France in Scotland , and I bed to see it . ”
What’s A Surprising Fact About A Plant Or Garden Not Many People Know?
“ You have Plato ’s Academy , the first University ever , but did you know that his competitor , Epicurus , had his own academy called the Garden School ?
“ This was the origin of garden philosophy where educatee , both man and char , studied and philosophised in an existent garden . I like to call Epicurus the Father of Garden Philosophy .
“ If you ’ve ever visitedChiswickorJefferson ’s Monticello , or walk into a Palladian home , all of their ideologic origins stem from Epicurus and his Garden School .
“ Epicurus influenced hoi polloi from Vitruvius to Palladio , to André Le Nôtre to Alexander Pope and beyond . ”
What Advice Would You Have For Those With Similar Interests To Yourself In The History Of Gardens?
“ Read garden history written by garden historians , ” enjoin Alley . “ There is a lot of interesting research happening by scholars in the field .
“ Garden history is emerging by breaking out of Architecture and entering home like Classics , Literature and chronicle . Through this emerge interdisciplinary , I conceive that hoi polloi interested in garden chronicle will have a lot more to choose from outside the obvious .
“ If you ’re looking to get wind more about garden history , check out the Journal of Garden History , which is put forth by the Gardens Trust .
“ As a historiographer , I always look to the bibliography of any garden book or clause to discover more published work . ”
What’s Next For You? Do You Have Any Upcoming Projects You Would Like To Share?
“ I am presently writing my first book . It is base on my PhD thesis and is going to be release by Bloomsbury in early 2025 and is called Classical Taste in the Architectural World of Thomas Jefferson .
“ Thomas Jefferson was an exceeding nurseryman and I am excited to partake in how Antiquity influenced his theme on it at Monticello .
“ I have a pillar coming out for Blumenhaus , which is a European publication on all things floral . I am also publish academic articles as well and I have a few article coming out in 2024 . ”
you may keep up to date with Alley Marie via herInstagram .
