ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Wilderness (garden history)

Okay, kiddo! Let's talk about something called wilderness in garden history. You know how we have parks and gardens around us, right? Now, imagine a really big garden that looks almost like a forest or jungle. That's what people used to call wilderness in garden history.

A long time ago, rich people would create these big gardens in their mansions and castles. They made them look like natural forests with tall trees, winding paths, and lots of plants and animals. People loved strolling in these gardens, like a fun adventure! It was like having a big, outdoor playground.

The idea was to make these gardens feel like a wild, natural place. But, really, they were very different from real forests. They were carefully planned and designed so that people could enjoy them without getting lost or hurt.

Nowadays, we don't see wilderness in garden history as much anymore. People have different ideas about how gardens should look. Some people like to have neat, tidy gardens with pretty flowers and trimmed hedges. Others still like the wild-looking gardens, but they try to make them more eco-friendly and less artificial.

So, there you go, bud! That's what wilderness in garden history is all about. A big, beautiful garden that looks like a wild, natural place, but is really just a big playground for grown-ups!