Edible landscapes in Persian gardens: a historical perspective from ancient Iran to the present day

Abstract

Persian gardens have a rich cultural and historical significance as a part of human heritage. This paper provides a historical review of the edibility of Persian gardens, from ancient Mesopotamia to the present day. The analysis demonstrates that while fruit trees have always been a part of these gardens, the cultivation of edible species has been neglected in modern times. The study highlights the importance of restoring the edible landscape in Persian gardens, in line with the historical and cultural significance of these landscapes. The findings have implications for the management and restoration of Persian gardens, with the potential for wider application in other cultural contexts. This paper contributes to the ongoing discourse on landscape history and its interdisciplinary study.