Hortus

(dim in. hortulus ), R. A pleasure-garden, park, and thence a kitchen garden; horti pensiles were hanging gardens. The most striking features of a Roman garden were lines of large trees planted in regular order; alleys or walks ( ambulationes ) formed by closely clipped hedges of box, yew, cypre , and other ever greens; beds of acanthus, rows of fruit-trees especially of vines, with statues, pyramids, fountains, and summer-houses ( diætæ ). The Romans were fond of the art of cutting and twisting trees, especially box, into figures of animals, ships, . ( ars topiaria ). The principal garden-flowers seem to have been violets and roses, and they had also the crocus, narci us, lily, gladiolus, iris, poppy, amaranth, and others. Conservatories and hot-houses are frequently mentioned by Martial. An ornamental garden was also called viridarium, and the gardener topiarius or viridarius. The common name for a gardener is villicus or cult or hortorum. (Consult Smith’s Dict. of Ant. )