ABSTRACT Tang and Song Dynasty gardens hold a significant place in the history of Chinese gardens, forming an indispensable link in the development of Chinese gardens. Current research on the spatial differences and evolution of Tang and Song gardens remains insufficient. This study utilizes text mining techniques and logistic regression to extract garden-related elements from Tang and Song poetry, constructing a logistic regression model containing 321 factors. By analyzing the odd ratios and significance value of each factor, the spatial differences and evolution of Tang and Song Dynasty gardens were explained from four dimensions: region, ecology, architecture, and human behavior. The study reveals that Tang and Song Dynasty gardens were geographically distributed along waterways. In terms of garden ecology, Tang and Song gardens each possessed unique characteristics. Regarding garden architecture, Tang dynasty gardens were grand and imposing, while Song Dynasty gardens were small and exquisite. Finally, human behavior within the gardens of both dynasties changed due to differences in economic culture and aesthetic tastes. In conclusion, studying the spatial differentiation and multi-dimensional evolution of Tang and Song gardens helps to understand the construction paradigms of gardens in these two dynasties and provides methodological support for the sustainable design of modern gardens.

This study investigates the integration of traditional Suzhou garden design techniques into contemporary art museum spaces in the Jiangnan region of China. Using a qualitative multiple-case study approach, three representative museums were examined : the Suzhou Museum, China National Silk Museum in Hangzhou, and Nanjing Museum. Data collection involved on-site observations and documentary analysis of spatial layouts, design elements, and gardening techniques. The findings reveal three primary integration strategies : first, the adoption of Suzhou garden spatial layout concepts including asymmetrical arrangements and layered spatial hierarchies; second, the application of traditional framing techniques (jiejing) using architectural elements to create visual connections between interior and exterior spaces; and third, the "introducing scenery into the museum" approach that incorporates natural elements such as water features, rocks, and plants to enhance visitor experience. The comparative analysis demonstrates that museums successfully applying these techniques show improved visitor engagement and reduced museum fatigue. These findings provide practical design guidelines for museum practitioners and architects seeking to integrate traditional Chinese garden aesthetics into modern cultural spaces while preserving regional cultural identity.

This paper explores the symbolic meanings of plants in Shakespeare’s works and their application in landscape design. The most frequently mentioned species, such as the apple tree, rose, lily, and rosemary, were analyzed for their literary symbolism and incorporated into the design of a 150 m² private garden. The result demonstrates how literary symbolism can inspire aesthetic and conceptual coherence in contemporary garden design.

This article explores a previously unrecorded, late 18th century grotto in the grounds of the former Airthrey Estate, Stirling (now Stirling University) that appears to have been constructed to provide the physical setting for an immersive rendering of Oliver Goldsmith’s poem The Hermit (also known as ‘Edwin and Angelina’ from Chapter 8 of Goldsmith’s novel the Vicar of Wakefield where it is described as ‘ballad’). The article describes the structure and its history and places it in context of then fashionable Scottish garden design trends.

This article aims to reflect on the importance of urban gardening in Latin America, emphasizing community participation in the design and development of urban gardens. A documentary review was conducted on the available experiences and scientific studies reported in the region, revealing that urban gardening when approached through the lens of agrobiodiversity is expanding across Latin America and has become a key strategy for safe food production and environmental sustainability. However, it was found that several Latin American countries lack clear and established laws to regulate this activity. Various studies highlight that urban gardening provides multiple benefits: it strengthens family ties, improves nutrition, generates income by reducing the cost of the basic food basket, and offers therapeutic support for diseases such as cancer, HIV, and mental health disorders. Several researchers highlight the importance of conducting simultaneous parasitological and microbiological assessments during the development and implementation of urban gardens, as part of monitoring and controlling their health. We also report the first ongoing urban agriculture projects in Panama, revealing preliminary evidence of rotavirus detected in fresh vegetables from an urban garden. This review is supported by evidence indicating that urban gardens can become infection foci capable of causing diseases of public health and veterinary importance. We conclude that the impact of urban gardening in Latin America should be framed within a sustainable development perspective.

Photinia × fraseri (Rosaceae) is an evergreen ornamental shrub valued in horticulture for its striking young red foliage, widely employed in urban landscaping and garden design. In October 2024, a leaf blight disease was observed on P. × fraseri in a seedling nursery in Shouguang City, Shandong Province (36°53′42.16″N, 118°47′22.4″E), with a 20-60% disease severity per affected plant (n = 120). Symptoms first appeared as irregular brown to reddish-brown lesions with dark-brown margins, originating at the leaf tips or margins. The lesions gradually expanded to complete leaf necrosis. Fifteen symptomatic leaves were randomly collected from 10 trees. Twenty tissue samples (4 × 4 mm) were excised from lesion margins, surface-disinfected with 75% ethanol (30 s), followed by 1% NaClO (30 s), and rinsed three times with sterile water. The samples were plated onto potato dextrose agar (PDA) and incubated at 25°C for 5 days. Fungal colonies exhibiting consistent morphology were subcultured via hyphal-tip purification. Two representative isolates (HSN1, HSN2) were selected for morphological and molecular characterization. Colonies on PDA attained 8.5 cm in diameter, initially exhibited white, transitioning to dark gray after 5 days. Conidiophores were cylindrical, hyaline, and smooth. Conidia were hyaline, aseptate, fusiform, 21–29 × 4–8 μm (av. 26.6 × 6.8 μm, n=50). Morphological features matched descriptions of B. dothidea (Crous et al. 2006; Slippers et al. 2014). Genomic DNA of the two isolates was extracted. Three genomic loci—the internal transcribed spacer (ITS; GenBank accession nos. PQ901792, PQ901793), β-tubulin (TUB2; PV007810, PV007811), and translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF1-α; PV007812, PV007813)—were amplified using universal primers (Jia et al. 2019). BLASTn analysis of the sequences showed 99–100% identity to corresponding loci from the ex-type strain B. dothidea CMW 8000 (ITS: AY236949; TUB2: AY236927; TEF1-α: AY236898). A maximum likelihood phylogenetic analysis was conducted in MEGA 11.0 using concatenated sequences. Both isolates HSN1 and HSN2 clustered within the B. dothidea clade, confirming taxonomic placement. To fulfill Koch’s postulates, pathogenicity tests were performed on 2-year-old seedlings in the greenhouse. Ten leaves per plant were wounded using a sterile needle and inoculated with 5 mm mycelial plugs from a 3-day-old isolate on PDA cultures. Control leaves were wounded and inoculated with sterile PDA plugs. Five plants were used per treatment group. All plants were potted at 25°C with 75% relative humidity and a 12-h photoperiod. Initial leaf blight symptoms consistent with field observations developed on 90% of inoculated leaves after 7 days, while control leaves remained asymptomatic. The experiment was repeated three times independently. B. dothidea was successfully reisolated from the symptomatic tissues (100% recovery rate) and confirmed through morphological characteristics and multilocus sequence analysis. B. dothidea has been previously documented to cause leaf blight on diverse hosts, including Kadsura coccinea (Su et al. 2021), Camellia oleifera (Hao et al. 2023), and Parrotia subaequalis (Yang et al. 2024). To our knowledge, this is the first report of B. dothidea infecting P. × fraseri in China. This identification will be helpful for subsequent disease control and field management of ornamental shrubs.

Assessment of the effect of the design of a public garden on the biophilic behavior of its users in Guelma (northeastern Algeria)

The problem of limited green open space in densely populated areas such as Legian Village requires the optimal utilization of home yards. Through the Udayana Mengabdi Program, this activity aimed to enhance community knowledge and skills in managing home yards to provide ecological, aesthetic, health, and even economic value. The implementation included counseling, discussions, and field practice with resource persons from landscape architecture and agroecotechnology. The materials covered residential garden design, the use of narrow land, and the cultivation of aesthetic plants such as orchids. The results showed an increase in residents’ understanding of home green space planning, appropriate plant selection based on land conditions, and awareness of the health and psychological benefits of gardening. In addition, the community was able to design home yards not only as green spaces but also as sources of added value for their families. Overall, the program successfully encouraged Legian residents to manage their yards creatively, functionally, and sustainably, thereby contributing to improved environmental quality, health, and community well-being.

BackgroundDisability-inclusive public green spaces are vital for universal accessibility and for enhancing accessible tourism. Integrating multisensory stimuli with information and communication technologies fosters inclusive, sustainable, interactive, and site-specific tourism experiences.ObjectivesThe objective of this article is to present the development of the Braille Trail in the Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden (KDNBG), South Africa, highlighting how participatory design, inclusive multisensory gardens and locative literature foster accessible tourism experiences, while addressing gaps in the literature on sensory and wellbeing gardens from a Global South perspective.MethodA qualitative, practice-based, and participatory approach was adopted, grounded in principles of collaborative, community-based research. Semi-structured interviews, guided by a thematic framework, elicited insights from participants directly involved in the project. The authors’ practice-based contributions complemented these findings.ResultsThe design and establishment of the Braille Trail involved collaboration between Garden management and staff, visually impaired persons, service organisations, institutional partners, and creative contributors. This inclusive process ensured that the trail reflected the needs, experiences, and expectations of its intended users.ConclusionThe Braille Trail integrates sensory garden design, accessibility, and diverse communication technologies – including digital platforms and locative literature – while incorporating indigenous elements to enrich visitor experiences. Continued community engagement, together with lessons drawn from successes and challenges, provides guidance for sustaining and extending inclusive design in future projects.ContributionThis study offers insight into multisensory gardens and accessible tourism in a Global South context, demonstrating the application of universal and inclusive design, co-design, slow tourism, accessible communication technologies, and collaborative approaches to create engaging and accessible visitor experiences.

This study investigates how university students perceive the ecosystem services provided by gardens, utilizing Q methodology to categorize subjective viewpoints and analyze distinct perception types. Thirty-two students majoring in forest and landscape architecture at Wonkwang University (Iksan, Republic of Korea) participated, sorting 30 Q-statements each for provisioning, regulating, cultural, and supporting services. Principal component analysis identified three factors for provisioning and regulating services, and two factors for cultural and supporting services. The findings reveal that students’ perceptions are primarily based on generalized, idealized expectations, while their understanding of specific practices, such as food production, distribution, and community economic integration, remains insufficient. This indicates that their perceptions are more conceptual than practical, reflecting themes such as eco-friendly resource sharing, environmental regulation, nature experience, biodiversity enhancement, and sustainability. These results suggest the need for enhanced educational efforts to improve students’ understanding of the role of ecosystem services in urban contexts. The study highlights the importance of bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical recognition to foster more comprehensive perceptions, ultimately informing future garden design, management strategies, and environmental education programs.

Abstract In the framework of an urban garden art and design environment, this research examines the integration of virtual reality (VR) technology with a 3D model built using a fuzzy mathematical model. The goal is to provide a cutting-edge, immersive experience that enables people to engage with and explore the subtleties of a distinctive urban garden setting by fusing creative components with outdoor areas. Our proposed, advanced genetic algorithm-based fuzzy logic mathematical model effectively addressed the challenges in urban gardens by providing innovative design solutions that optimized space, efficiently managed resources, and fostered community engagement, ensuring produce safety, health, and the vitality of the garden. Raw data were collected, and then the data were involved in the pre-processed used min-max normalization. Next feature extracts the data using principal component analysis. The research findings should be presented, together with information on how well VR technology and a fuzzy mathematical model worked to produce the intended aesthetic results. It also describes how the research can be used for VR, urban garden design, and art. The findings demonstrate that VR technology gives designers actual impacts of information processing via complete presentation, intelligent drawing, and timely information, which significantly boosts design productivity and successfully encourages design quality and fitness rate accuracy. Additionally, two benchmark datasets were used for comparison, and our proposed method achieved an accuracy of 98.8%. The research expands the possibilities for artistic expression and strengthens the connection between people and urban green areas.

Abstract Traditional Chinese architecture and gardens are known for their artistic charm, with win downplaying a key-role in both aesthetics and function. Windows serve not only for ventilation and lighting but also as design elements, reflecting cultural significance through various shapes and forms. In gardens, windows frame and borrow external views, blending nature with the interior space. This concept enhances the harmony of traditional Chinese garden design. This paper examines the integration of traditional window design with modern approaches, as seen in the renovation of the Beihai Garden Expo Park's “Ancient and Modern, Chinese and Foreign” campus.

ABSTRACTRain gardens depend on resilient plant species that can withstand fluctuating moisture conditions while providing ecological and aesthetic benefits. This study addresses the limited research on tropical and native herbaceous species by evaluating their health through both visual and physiological assessment methods. A pretest list of 44 species was developed through expert interviews, and plant responses were assessed using chlorophyll fluorescence, expressed as the maximum quantum yield of photosystem II (Fv/Fm), and visual damage ratings after a 15‐day continuous immersion experiment. Cluster analysis identified 24 immersion‐tolerant species, among which 10 native perennial herbaceous plants were selected for further testing. These species were subjected to repeated water stress cycles consisting of 7 and 14 days of immersion followed by 7 days of drought, repeated over three immersion and two drought intervals. Results indicated that nine species—Aster indicus, Aster shimadae, Lobelia chinensis, Dianthus seisuimontanus, Dianthus superbus, Evolvulus alsinoides, Euphorbia formosana, Lespedeza cuneata, and Richardia scabra—consistently maintained Fv/Fm values above 0.7 throughout both flooding durations, reflecting high photosynthetic stability, indicating that they can tolerate such fluctuations in water availability. By contrast, Eupatorium lindleyanum exhibited Fv/Fm above 0.7 in 66% and 33% of observations in the 7‐ and 14‐day treatments, respectively. These results provide insight into the selection of resilient native species and support the establishment of a standardized methodology for plant health assessment in rain garden design.

This article presents an active service-learning methodology as a pedagogical approach in architecture schools, centered on the community-led appropriation of public space. This methodology was implemented through the Machi Hata Project, which aimed to revitalize three abandoned areas near Zenkoji Temple in Nagano—Sukeroku Garden, La Rencontre Backyard, and A Goat Garden—by transforming them into "civic gardens." The study documents the sequential processes of analysis, design, and community-led construction of the community gardens, highlighting their potential both as educational tools and as catalysts for urban regeneration.

This study examined the effects of applying a blended learning-based Problem-Based Learning (PBL) strategy to the undergraduate course Forest Healing Resources, focusing on changes in learning motivation and reflective experiences among adult learners. The participants were 50 students in the Department of Forest Healing at K University, of whom 38 engaged in online individual projects and 12 in blended team projects that combined online and face-to-face activities. A mixed-methods design was adopted. Quantitative data were collected through pre- and post-tests of learning motivation based on the ARCS model, and analyzed using paired t-tests in SPSS 28.0. Qualitative data were drawn from reflective journals and project outputs (garden design plans, reports, photos, and videos) of blended project participants, and analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s (2006) thematic analysis procedure. The results indicated significant improvements in all four ARCS dimensions, with attention and relevance showing particularly notable increases among blended team participants. Thematic analysis yielded eight overarching themes and 24 subcategories, including emotional recovery, self-reflection, collaborative experiences, and career exploration. Presenting specific examples of coding and theme development enhanced methodological transparency. These findings suggest that blended PBL is effective in fostering intrinsic motivation and holistic growth among adult learners, while the combined analysis of reflective journals and project outputs strengthens the validity of the study as a case study, contributing to its academic value.

This study is about the design and implementation of an edible garden in Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University Çaycuma Campus. Then, after determining the most suitable area within the campus, a survey was conducted with students and academic-administrative staff to determine the preferences of campus users. It is emphasized that the edible garden approach is an effective tool in strengthening the connection of young people with nature and its role in campus design is evaluated. In the first stage, a survey was conducted with students and staff to determine user preferences. In the second stage, an edible landscape design was carried out in line with the findings obtained; In the third stage, a satisfaction survey was conducted for the application. The results showed that the functionality of the area increased, the level of knowledge about plants increased and the aesthetic perception improved. In addition, the variety of walking paths, sitting areas and plant materials used were evaluated positively by the users. It was determined that this application added prestige to the university and contributed to sustainability criteria such as GreenMetric.

High-quality green gardens can markedly enhance the quality of life and mental well-being of their users. However, health and lifestyle constraints make it difficult for people to enjoy urban gardens, and traditional methods struggle to offer the high-fidelity experiences they need. This study introduces a 3D scene reconstruction and rendering strategy based on implicit neural representation through the efficient and removable neural radiation fields model (NeRF-RE). Leveraging neural radiance fields (NeRF), the model incorporates a multi-resolution hash grid and proposal network to improve training efficiency and modeling accuracy, while integrating a segment-anything model to safeguard public privacy. Take the crabapple tree, extensively utilized in urban garden design across temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. A dataset comprising 660 images of crabapple trees exhibiting three distinct geometric forms is collected to assess the NeRF-RE model’s performance. The results demonstrated that the ‘harvest gold’ crabapple scene had the highest reconstruction accuracy, with PSNR, LPIPS and SSIM of 24.80 dB, 0.34 and 0.74, respectively. Compared to the Mip-NeRF 360 model, the NeRF-RE model not only showed an up to 21-fold increase in training efficiency for three types of crabapple trees, but also exhibited a less pronounced impact of dataset size on reconstruction accuracy. This study reconstructs real scenes with high fidelity using virtual reality technology. It not only facilitates people’s personal enjoyment of the beauty of natural gardens at home, but also makes certain contributions to the publicity and promotion of urban landscapes.

Lion Grove was established in 1342 during the Yuan Dynasty and is one of the four most famous classical gardens in China. It was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. Although Lion Grove is now regarded as a private garden representing the culture of Confucian scholars, it was originally a Chan Buddhist garden during its inception in the Yuan Dynasty. This study examines the natural landscapes of Lion Grove at its inception, focusing on four main aspects: the philosophy of nature, planning intent, creators, and the philosophical ideas they represent. Key findings include the following: Firstly, Lion Grove’s attitude towards nature is rooted in China’s indigenous culture, making it both a physical expression of Chan philosophy and a space reflecting the scholar–bureaucrats’ vision of an ideal landscape. Secondly, from the perspective of landscape planning, the Lion Grove of the Yuan Dynasty placed greater emphasis on natural elements compared to its modern counterpart, with rock landscapes serving as the core element throughout the garden. Thirdly, hermitic philosophy emerged as a significant cultural theme alongside Chan Buddhism during the Yuan Dynasty. Fourthly, the landscape elements of Lion Grove symbolize Chan Buddhist wisdom and the hermit’s idealism, with poetry playing a key role in conveying these cultural ideals, preserving the site’s early philosophical significance.

The integration of Internet of Things (IoT) technology with sustainable energy solutions has enabled the development of innovative and eco-friendly systems for smart living. This paper presents the design and implementation of an IoT-enabled remote control smart garden powered by a solar energy system. The proposed system automates essential gardening tasks such as irrigation, soil moisture monitoring, temperature and humidity control, and real-time surveillance, all while operating independently of conventional power sources. Using sensors, microcontrollers, and wireless communication modules, the system gathers environmental data and transmits it to a cloud-based platform, allowing users to monitor and control garden operations remotely via a mobile or web application. A solar photovoltaic system ensures energy self-sufficiency and reduces environmental impact. The integration of IoT with renewable energy not only enhances gardening efficiency but also promotes sustainable urban agriculture. The system is cost-effective, user-friendly, and scalable for residential as well as community gardening applications.

Rain gardens are a common practice for managing stormwater, including its quality, in urban areas of many countries around the world. Plants play an important role in rain garden systems, and design guidelines distributed around the world provide extensive guidance and advice on the role of plant selection in improving system efficiency and sustainability. Based on a study of rain garden design guidelines, four main hypotheses regarding the role of plants were identified: 1) systems with vegetation are more efficient than those without; 2) plant species differ in their efficiency; 3) native species are more efficient than introduced species; and 4) rain garden designs with diverse species composition are more efficient than those with monocultures. The study examined the effectiveness of rain garden systems in terms of hydraulic and hydrological properties, as well as in terms of pollutant removal. The paper analyses the correspondence of the defined hypotheses to the results of scientific research, which provides a significant scientific basis for the development of relevant regulations, standards and recommendations in Ukraine, which are currently absent. The type of vegetation directly affects the hydraulic performance and the process of nitrogen removal, and the characteristics of the roots are an important factor affecting these processes. It is proved that plant root systems contribute to the maintenance of hydraulic conductivity and reduce pollution. No scientific results have been found to support the hypothesis that native plants or rain gardens with high species diversity have higher productivity than systems with fewer species or introduced species. There is little research on the interaction between plants and microbial communities in a rain garden system, the role of macropores in pollutant migration, or the differential impact of plant selection on system performance.