Did Pompeii have gardens? Absolutely. Behind the walls of ancient Roman villas were lush, imaginative pleasure gardens filled with flowers, fruit trees, fountains, sculptures, and quiet spaces designed for beauty, relaxation, and delight. In this episode, discover what the gardens of Pompeii were really like—and how you can recreate a little piece of that ancient Roman paradise in pots on your own patio. Drawing on insights from Michael DeHart of the Getty Villa, I explore the plants, design ideas, and surprising details that brought Pompeian gardens to life. Whether you’re a history lover, a gardener, or someone who dreams of a more beautiful outdoor space, this episode will transport you nearly 2,000 years into the gardens of ancient Rome.
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To eyeball 1847 Queen Victoria's Wedding Portrait with Myrtle Crown.
Further Resources:
Gardens and Plants of the Getty Villa by Patrick Bowe and Michael DeHart.
Ancient Herbs in the J Paul Getty Museum Gardens by Jeanne D'Andrea.
Cookery and Dining in Imperial Rome by Apicius (and Joseph Dommers Vehling).
Ancient Roman Villa Gardens by Elisabeth Blair MacDougal and Wilhelmine F Jashemski.
A Pompeian Herbal: Ancient and Modern Medicinal Plants by Wilhelmina Feemster Jashemski and Lillian Nicholson Meyer.
The Mythology of Plants: Botanical Lore from Ancient Greece and Rome by Annette Gieseke.
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