...Bridgeman opened up the views to the countryside through the use of "ha-ha," a sunken, retaining wall and ditch; sometimes a metal fence was added at the bottom of the ditch (Fig. 5.1). Ha-ha could keep deer and domestic animals from crossing into the gardens while allowing a continuous view into the countryside; it played an important role in the development of the English naturalistic park.
The Ha-ha was introduced into England by a French gardener in the 1690s, and it was called "ah-ah" in France. The same principle is still used today in zoos to remove the visual barrier between visitors and animals. In 1731, Alexander Pope celebrated Bridgeman and summarized the new naturalistic garden design style with a poem entitle "Of Taste":
To build, to plant, whatever you intend...
In all, let Nature never be forgotten...
Consult the Genius of the Place in all;
That tells the Waters or to rise, or fall...
Calls in the Country, catch op'ning glades...
Paints as you plant, and as you work, designs...
Quoted from page 140 of the 2nd edition of "Planting Design Illustrated" (ISBN-10: 1432741977, ISBN-13: 978-1432741976)
Copyright 2010 Gang Chen, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, Author of "LEED GA Exam Guide," "Architectural Practice Simplified," "Planting Design Illustrated," and other books on various LEED exams, architecture, and landscape architecture
Non-exclusive rights of use granted.
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