Gardens in the Americas
Horticulture developed independently in the New World.Evidence of intensive plant breeding and cultivation in Aztec produce gardens has been found on raised fields (chinampas) in swampy areas. Spanish conquistadores,such as Bernal Diaz, record seeing wonderful Aztec gardens,filled with herbs, flowers and sweet-smelling trees, and streams of water. Such pleasure gardens were confined to aristocratic circles; vegetable and fruit were grown by lower classes.
Sources describe park-like gardens at Tezcoinco,where Nezahualcoyotl, the 15th-century ruler of Texcoco,created a grove of majestic trees around a scared hill. The gardens had pools, fountains and carved historic emblems on the rocks. The Aztec emperor Motecuzoma 1(AD1440-69) was know to enjoy hunting game in special park encircled by water;but he was also responsible for founding the renowned botanical gardens of Huastepec - he ordered people to gather plants from coastal tropical regions for inclusion in his gardens. Spanish officials were sent to study them and to introduce worthy new species to Europe.