Circle in the Square

I am so charmed by walled courtyards, especially the small, square ones with plantings, and sometimes seating, in each corner, and a circular central focal point.
The walled garden is ancient. For thousands of years, it has served to keep unwelcome people and animals out, and to create a microclimate in which valuable plants are protected from wind and weather. The Old Persian term for "walled garden" is the origin of our word, Paradise.

The focal point can be a pool or fountain, which is traditional, or a small weeping tree in a circular planter, more symbolic.
It is the circle in the square!










I keep imagining creating circles in squares!
I have a client who wants some vegetable beds in a square area of her front yard. She also wants to plant a Citrus tree. Immediately I picture the Citrus tree in the center with a circular pathway around it, and vegetable beds arranged around the tree circle, like rays radiating from the sun. I think I'm obsessed!






Why does it work so well?
It is balanced and pleasing.
A complete and private space, it is timeless and could almost be anywhere.
One feels removed and protected from the rest of the garden, property, city, etc. There is that concept of enclosure again.
The seating around the periphery gives everyone a view of the focal point, and this is very comfortable.





There is definitely something magical going on here.
I'm quite sure I will keep coming back to the circle in the square in many of its manifestations.
This walled garden can be found at The Los Angeles County Arboretum.