Historic Roots of the Modern American GardenLinda R McMahanOregon State University Extension ServiceMcMinnville, OR linda.mcmahan@oregonstate.edu

What is The Modern American Garden???

Geometric?Multicultural?Only Native Plants?Ecologically Relevant?Eclectic?Personal--Not a Copy?Uses Sustainable Practices?Newest Hybrids and Most Recently Discovered

Plants?

Are These Modern American Gardens?

These?

Guess the Date of This Sentiment1890’s 1930’s 1990’s 2010’s

The modern garden re-engages the issue of the fundamental integration of modern people and eternal nature, and includes abstract expressionism, minimalism, futurism, and cubism, among other expressions.

From Cardasis, Dean, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, 1994. “Maverick Impossible—James Rose and the Modern American Garden. Proceedings of a Symposium of The Garden Conservancy.

1890’s 1930’s 1990’s 2010’s

Modern gardens fuse principles of science and art in a way that allows us to dismiss "foreign" garden styles, while advancing our quest for a wholly American approach to landscape development.

Articles and authors in Forest and Garden, a weekly illustrated journal of horticulture, landscape art and forestry" by Charles Sprague Sargent and a small group of collaborators that included Frederick Law Olmsted, Sr., as reported by Eric MacDonald, School of Environmental Design, University of Georgia in a talk prepared for a conference.

Guess the Date of the Sentiment

“The whole past is the procession of the present.” Thomas Carlyle

So Let’s go take a look!

EARLY GARDEN DEVELOPMENTDawn of “Civilization” through Feudal Europe

Early Civilization GardensPerhaps the earliest

recorded ornamental gardening were in Egypt.

Gardens appeared in temples and in homes of the wealthy.

Egyptians built pavilions, shrines, canals, and ponds, all surrounded by flowers or trees, sometimes in enclosed walls.

Wikipedia.org

The Hanging Gardens of Babylon

Gardening development in the “fertile crescent” included the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Modern archeologists say it was not in fact in Babylon.

Considered to be among the seven wonders of the ancient world!

Wikipedia.org

Wikipedia.org

Islamic GardensThe Islamic nations

introduced the garden concepts of water and restful shade.

Gardens provided protection from the outside and included water as a critical element in an environment where water was limited.

Greek & Roman GardensGreek and Roman Gardens

are considered to be the origin of western style gardens.

Greeks used plants in public places as societal ornamentation.

Romans tended to create private sanctuaries, a refuge from busy life.

Reconstruction of a Pompeii garden. Wikipedia.org. Author: Saiko

The Spice Trade and Silk RoadMeanwhile, search for

spices fueled exchange of many plant materials, between Europe, Africa, and Asia on the “Silk Road.”

The West obtained spices, teas, rhubarb & other crops, as well as plants and seeds from the East.

Wikipedia.org

In Europe . . .The 9th to 15th Centuries AD

are dominated by the feudal system, where a King rules, is served by a Court, and the “landless” folks provide food & labor.

During this time ornamental gardens were purely for the rich, while monks developed their own style of gardens.

We will return to this time later in the presentation.

Très Riches Heures du duc de Berry, 15th Century, Wikipedia.org

GARDENING INFLUENCES FROM OTHER COUNTRIES OUTSIDE THE BRITISH ISLES

Oriental, Italian & French Gardens, Plant Explorers

Oriental Gardens

Oriental Gardens have become very influential in gardens worldwide.

Chinese began gardening early, and Japanese, Korea and other Asian gardens were adapted from these. Author: 张骐Source: Wikipedia.org

Classical Gardens of Suzhou: the Lingering Garden

Oriental GardensChinese gardens are

highly symbolic. Old gnarly plants symbolize long life. Stones symbolize strength of the mountains.

Shapes have meanings embedded deeply within the culture.

Chinese Scholar’s GardenScholar gardens are

places to learn, study, and teach.

They are an older style often featuring rocks, water, bridges, pavilions, moon gates & leaky windows (pierced with holes to peek at a view).

•

11th Century Chinese Garden, Wikipedia.org, Attribution: Lamassu Design

Symbolic Plants in Oriental Gardens

Many plants carry symbolic value in oriental gardens.

One example is the lotus. It signifies purity because it grows out of mud—the flower bud opens to reveal pristine beauty.

Nelumno nucifera, sacred lotus. Wikipedia.org Author: Peripitas

Japanese GardenJapanese gardens are

designed for study and enjoyment. This moss garden is an example.

Many Japanese gardens also incorporate traditional symbolism such as raked sand representing water.

Saihouji (kokedera) pond. Wikipedia.org

The Ornate Gardens of ItalyAfter the decline of

the Roman Empire, gardens continued to develop in Italy.

These changes also influenced other European gardens.

Note the strong central axis and fountains. Urns are also common, as in Roman times.

Fountain and pools at Villa d'Este in Tivoli, Wikipedia.org Author: Wknight94

Ornate Italian GardensAside from

symmetry and fountains, Italian gardens often contain statues.

Wikipedia.org Author: Franco Pecchio

Plant Explorers As plant explorers

brought back plants of the tropics and elsewhere, samples were collected in a new wave of botanic gardens.

These discoveries also fueled a new wave of garden interest throughout Europe.

Royal Botanic Garden, Madrid, founded 1600’s. Includes more than 30,000 specimens. Wikipedia.org Author: Richie Diesterheft

The Age of Plant Discovery and the Rise of Botanic Gardens

It was in Italy that we first saw the rise of botanical gardens.

Here is one of the first, The Botanical Gardens of Padua (Padova)University as seen in a 16th Century Print.

Wikipedia.org

French GardensThe Gardens of

royalty in France are known for their ornate and intricate patterns.

Plant choices often showcase triumph over nature, as in the orangery. Orangery in the ground of the Palace of

Versailles, outside Paris, Wikipedia.org, Author: Urban

Formal, Symmetrical Designs are Common in French Gardens

Central axis similar to Italian Gardens.

Elaborate walkways with terraces used as overlooks to view the gardens.

Vaux-le-Vicomte Wikipedia.org Author: Thomas Henz

French Provincial GardensFound outside of

the huge formal gardens of royalty.

Reflect a softer style.

Yet, still follows structure with paths and hedges.

Pavillon de Galon at CucuronWikipedia.org Author: Guy Hervais

THE INFLUENCE OF BRITISH GARDENSOur Main Cultural Gardening Heritage

The Cloistered Garden—Return to Post-Feudal EuropePopular in the 15th

Century were Cloistered Gardens. Many still exist today.

Roman and Greek traditions feature columns and walkways. They are places of reflection, often religious.

Source: Wikipedia .org, Attribution: The Yorck Project

Monastic Gardens In the same tradition,

cloistered gardens led the way to larger Monastic Gardens.

Both were orderly places, enclosed by high walls, had raised beds, seats, hedges, herbs & medicinal plants.

They were places of religious contemplation but also practical places to grow edible plants and fruit trees.

Holy Spirit Monastery, Conyers, Georgia, Wikipedia.org Author: Nancy Heise

The Victorian Era and The Crystal Palace

Queen Victoria officially opened the Crystal Palace in London in the 1850’s.

“Victorian” refers to the lifetime of Queen Victoria.

Victorian gardens were often ornate, featuring plants brought back from the tropics by explorers.

Crystal Palace General view from Water Temple Wikipedia.org Authors: Philip Henry Delamotte, Negretti and Zambra

The Victorian Style GardenA Victorian Style

Garden featuring bedding plants of summer ‘annuals.’

These often feature fountains, pedestals or urns, and geometric shapes.

Victoria Park, Bath, Wikipedia.org Author: Colin Smith

A Modern Day Replica in McMinnville, OR 2012The influence of

the Victorian Era remains strong.

Notice the bedding plants, geometric shapes, and statuary common in 19th Century England.

Enter William Robinson, a Scottish gardener who reacted to Victorian “excess” by promoting “Wild Gardening.”

Robinson’s house and garden: Wikipedia.org

Wild gardening definedThe wild garden is…”placing

perfectly hardy plants in places they will take care of themselves. It has nothing to do with wilderness.” William Robinson in the English Flower Garden.

This form evolved into the English Cottage Garden.

Artwork from The Wild Garden, by Robinson, Wikipedia.org

Gertrude Jekyll's Long border at Manor House, Upton Grey, Hampshire, UK

Robinson’s protégé was Gertrude Jekyll, who became well known as a garden designer for perennial borders.

She lived into the 1930s and highly influenced American gardens. Gertrude Jekyll's restored long

border at Manor House, UK, Wikipedia.org, Author: Aquilineyes

Cottage Garden in England

The English Cottage Garden reflects the informal style.

Wikipedia .org Author: Guido Gerding

White Garden at Sissinghurst Castle

These gardens, designed by Vita Sasksville-West are well-known and loved by travelers who visit the UK.

They continue traditions begun around the time of William Robinson and others of the Romantic era landscape garden tradition.

View of rose arbor in Sissinghurst's White Garden, Wikipedia.org, Author: VashiDonsk

GARDENING IN AMERICASettlement to 1950

A Case in Point!Our gardening

traditions in North America come from England.

Here in a “typical” suburban home, we see hedges, bedding plants, vines, and a lawn reflecting the British style.

The Border Garden is Common• A recent Yamhill

County function included a tour of a garden near Newberg, done in the British wide- border style introduced by Gertrude Jekyll.

How Did it all Begin in North America?After the first settlers

from Europe arrived in North America, their first priority was food, and gardening centered around that goal.

Gardening for pure “ornament” was uncommon. Very old original log cabin in New

England. Wikipedia.org Author: Smallbones.

Fruit Trees were a Practical Beginning

In the 1700’s, fruit trees became important. This interest followed settlers across the continent to the American west.

Apples for food and hard cider, plums, & pears were particularly popular.

Winslow Homer painting of grafting of fruit trees, 1870, Wikipedia.org

Bartram’s Gardens (PA) -1700’s-1800’s. An Irony of Origins.

Father-son John & William Bartram studied North American plants and promoted them for European gardens.

At the same time, they imported European horticultural plants for gardens in America.

American plants were only used occasionally for American gardens during this time. John Bartram as naturalist.

Wikipedia.org, Author: Howard Pyle

Central Park Heralded a New Style of Landscapes

Central Park, which first opened in 1857 in New York City became one large park and garden.

Frederick Law Olmsted and others who followed in his path promoted wild areas, reflecting the wilder style becoming popular in England.

Parks are important, because people copy what they see, especially if they are from “reliable” sources.

Wikipedia.org, Author: Ed Yourdon

Botanic Gardens in AmericaShortly thereafter, in

1859, one of the first botanic gardens opened in St. Louis.

Botanic Gardens have been instrumental in showing people various styles of gardening for the past two centuries.

Older structures and surrounding gardens at the Missouri Botanical Garden. Wikipedia.org Author: Andrew Balet

The Plantation Garden – An Early Use of American Trees

Of the styles developed in North America is the Plantation Garden of the Southern States stand out.

Feature large often native trees such as these oaks in a new style. Rosedown Plantation, LA, Wikipedia.org

Authors: Richard Kock and Brandenrush

Rise of Ornamental Horticulture in North America

Liberty Hyde Bailey “Father of American Horticulture.”

Hugely influential author of Hortus plant dictionaries.

Botanist, plantsman, nature promoter.

Wikipedia.org

(1858-1954)

The Turf Lawn Known from 16th Century

England as commons pasture for grazing animals.

These evolved into managed areas of grass, weeded, mowed, and maintained for aesthetics and recreation (to keep down dust).

At first, only available to the wealthy who could afford to grazing animals or hand cutting.

Modern day commons in Comberton, England, Wikipedia.org Author: Andrew Dunn

American Lawns Outdid British Lawns . . .

The first American use of the term “lawn” was in 1733, becoming a fixed part of American vocabulary in the mid-1800’s.

After the invention of the lawn mower in 1830, this symbol of the wealthy became available to all.

Wikipedia.org Author: Agri-Fab Inc.

The American Dream LawnAn 1856 architectural

book urged grassy space for children to play and a space to grown fruits and vegetables. This imbued the lawn with cultural importance.

In post 2008 recession, lawn is being replaced by vegetables and other gardens reflecting a new focus on sustainability.

The White House Lawn: Wikipedia.org Author: C.M. Fitzpatrick

MODERNISM IN AMERICAN GARDENSInputs from Visionary Landscape Architects

“Modernism” in the American Garden – Influences

Gardening trends are often heralded by landscape architects, who may see gardens as artistic forms.

Like fashion, designs are reinterpreted by garden designers and homeowners, adapting them for home and business use.

Gardens at the Getty Center, Los Angeles, Wikipedia.org Author: Vanderven

Big Names in American Gardening Fashion

In North America, garden fashion leaders included the Olmsteds, Frank Lloyd Wright, James Rose, and Brazilian Roberto Burle Marx.

Some turn gardens into geometric forms; others emulate nature or merge the indoors with the outdoors.

Olmsted was co-designer of New York’s Central Park.

Frederick Law Olmsted Wikipedia.org

Olmsted “Dynasty”

Olmsteds included Frederick Law Olmsted (1822-1903), followed by his sons, John Charles (1852–1920) and Frederick Law, Jr. (1870-1957) (The Olmsted Brothers)

Featured flowing, natural lines and classic landscape design principles.

Jefferson Monument, DC (FL Olmsted, Jr.) Wikipedia.org Author: Joe Ravi CC-BY-SA 3.0

Portland, OR, Washington ParkWikipedia.org

Frank Lloyd Wright1935, Falling Water

design sought to create harmony between indoors and outdoors.

Frank Lloyd Wright and his son Lloyd trained in architecture and landscape architecture in the Olmstead Brothers office, carrying on similar traditions. Wikipedia.org Author:

Sxenko

James Rose (1913-1991)Preferred pastoral

settings for homes and buildings, with functional designs reflecting nature.

Noncomformist and controversial, dismissed from Harvard’s school and landscape design for not following traditions.

In later years, incorporated Japanese gardening styles.

Marx, a Respected ModernistRoberto Burle Marx (1909-1994), a Brazilian

artist and garden designer, is much appreciated in the world of modernist landscapes. Natural and geometric forms. Did some work in Florida.

macumbabeach.com

Parque del Este, Venezuela Wikipedia.org Author: Paolo Costa Baldi

NEW TRENDS OF CONSERVATION GARDENS

Incorporate the Old into Something New

So Where Does that Leave Us?

Let’s Look at what is happening, or has happened in the past 25 years, to influence what is modern right now.

Sustainable GardensWorldwide,

conservation features are being added to gardens, such as this water collection system in a garden in The Netherlands.

Water collector in E.V.A. Lanxmeer district, Culemborg, The Netherlands. Wikipedia.org Author: Lamiot

Green Roof InstallationThe sustainable garden approach seeks to work

with nature. This green roof is a garden designed to help control water runoff. Here, students at OSU are conducting research on green roofs.

http://horticulture.oregonstate.edu/content/ecological-landscapes-and-urban-forestry

Water Conservation Landscapes

Gardens to conserve water, such as rain gardens, are becoming more common, such as this Rain Garden at Buchanan Cellars in McMinnville, OR.

Pollinator Gardens Planting flowering

plants that attract pollinators has become a common past-time.

Aster with pollinating bee. Wikipedia.org Author: John Severns

Native Plant GardensHere is one

featured at the McMinnville, OR Library.

Oceanspray and goldenrod

Certification for Conservation Standards, such as LEED

LEED = Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design – more than 7000 buildings worldwide are certified.

Example is Engineering Building, Oregon State University, featuring Oregon native plants.

Recent Study--American Society of Landscape Architects• When thinking of

gardening, Americans tend toward the practical and sustainable with native plants (86.3 percent) and food/vegetable gardens (81.2 percent), with over half of them preferred as being organic (61.2 percent).

Recently planted rain garden. Wikipedia.org Author: BrianAsh

The Details. . .Notice the mix of old (e.g., fountains) with the new (e.g., rain gardens & organic)

• Landscape/Garden Elements (Percent rating somewhat or very popular for 2012)Low maintenance landscapes – 96.6% Native plants – 87.2%Fountains/ornamental water features – 86.3% Food/Vegetable gardens (including orchards/vineyards etc.) – 81.2% Xeriscaping or dry gardens – 64.3% Organic gardens – 61.2% Rain gardens – 56.6% Ponds/streams – 52.2% Rooftop gardens – 38.3%

Outdoor Recreation Wishes Still True--with Sustainability Added

Source: ASLA Newsletter accessed at:http://www.asla.org/land/LandArticle.aspx?id=35395&utm_source=060412+Newsletter&utm_campaign=Feb+20+Newsletter&utm_medium=email

So What is the Modern American Garden? The Modern American Garden is one that

pleases overall American aesthetic tastes, influenced by decades of gardening traditions

and visionary landscape professions, that has a focus on outdoor living and

functional spaces, incorporating conservation values.

Thank You!

• It is now your turn for questions and comments.

• Copyright © 2012, Linda R McMahan and Oregon State University• Photographs not attributed to others are by the

author. Author’s photographs may be used freely for educational purposes. For other uses, please contact the author or Oregon State University.