Created for a talk for a master gardener association, this presentation gives a short view of a very long history in the development of gardening in North America. Explores roots from Egypt to England and North America.

1. Historic Roots of the
Modern American
Garden
Linda R McMahan
Oregon State University Extension Service
McMinnville, OR linda.mcmahan@oregonstate.edu

2. 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?

3. Are These Modern American
Gardens?

4. These?

5. 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.
Guess the Date of This Sentiment
1890’s 1930’s 1990’s 2010’s

6. 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
1890’s 1930’s 1990’s 2010’s

7. “The whole past is the procession of
the present.”
Thomas Carlyle
So Let’s go take a look!

8. Dawn of “Civilization” through Feudal Europe
EARLY GARDEN DEVELOPMENT

9. Early Civilization Gardens
Perhaps 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, Wikipedia.org
sometimes in enclosed
walls.

10. 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 Wikipedia.org
the seven wonders of the
ancient world!

11. Islamic Gardens
The 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.
Wikipedia.org

12. Greek & Roman Gardens
Greek 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 Reconstruction of a Pompeii
garden. Wikipedia.org. Author:
refuge from busy life. Saiko

13. The Spice Trade and Silk Road
Meanwhile, search for
spices fueled exchange
of many plant
materials, between
Europe, Africa, and Asia
on the “Silk Road.”
The West obtained
spices, teas, rhubarb & Wikipedia.org
other crops, as well as
plants and seeds from
the East.

14. 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. Très Riches Heures du duc
We will return to this time de Berry, 15th
Century, Wikipedia.org
later in the presentation.

15. Oriental, Italian & French Gardens, Plant Explorers
GARDENING INFLUENCES FROM OTHER
COUNTRIES OUTSIDE THE BRITISH ISLES

16. 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 Classical Gardens of Suzhou: the
Lingering Garden
these. Source: Wikipedia.org Author: 张骐

17. Oriental Gardens
Chinese gardens are
highly symbolic. Old
gnarly plants symbolize
long life. Stones
symbolize strength of
the mountains.
Shapes have meanings
embedded deeply
within the culture.

18. Chinese Scholar’s Garden
Scholar 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 11th Century Chinese Garden,
Wikipedia.org, Attribution: Lamassu
to peek at a view). Design

19. 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

20. Japanese Garden
Japanese 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

21. The Ornate Gardens of Italy
After 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 Fountain and pools at Villa d'Este in
Tivoli, Wikipedia.org Author:
fountains. Urns are Wknight94
also common, as in

22. Ornate Italian Gardens
Aside from
symmetry and
fountains, Italian
gardens often
contain statues.
Wikipedia.org Author: Franco Pecchio

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

24. 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

25. French Gardens
The Gardens of
royalty in France
are known for
their ornate and
intricate patterns.
Plant choices
often showcase
triumph over
nature, as in the
Orangery in the ground of the Palace of
orangery. Versailles, outside Paris, Wikipedia.org,
Author: Urban

26. 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

27. French Provincial Gardens
Found outside of
the huge formal
gardens of royalty.
Reflect a softer
style.
Yet, still follows
structure with
paths and hedges.
Pavillon de Galon at Cucuron
Wikipedia.org Author: Guy Hervais

28. Our Main Cultural Gardening Heritage
THE INFLUENCE OF BRITISH GARDENS

29. The Cloistered Garden—
Return to Post-Feudal Europe
Popular in the 15th
Century were
Cloistered Gardens.
Many still exist today.
Roman and Greek
traditions feature
columns and
walkways. They are Source: Wikipedia .org, Attribution:
places of The Yorck Project
reflection, often
religious.

30. 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, herb
s & medicinal plants.
They were places of
religious contemplation
but also practical places Holy Spirit Monastery, Conyers,
to grow edible plants and Georgia, Wikipedia.org Author:
fruit trees. Nancy Heise

31. 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 Crystal Palace General view from
Water Temple Wikipedia.org Authors:
the tropics by explorers. Philip Henry Delamotte, Negretti and
Zambra

32. The Victorian Style Garden
A 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

33. A Modern Day Replica in
McMinnville, OR 2012
The influence
of the Victorian
Era remains
strong.
Notice the
bedding
plants, geometr
ic shapes, and
statuary
common in 19th
Century
England.

34. Enter William
Robinson, a Scottish
gardener who reacted to
Victorian “excess” by
promoting “Wild
Gardening.”
Robinson’s house and garden:
Wikipedia.org

35. Wild gardening defined
The 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

36. 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

37. Cottage Garden in England
The English
Cottage Garden
reflects the
informal style.
Wikipedia .org Author: Guido
Gerding

38. 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

39. Settlement to 1950
GARDENING IN AMERICA

40. 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.

41. 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.

42. 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
Very old original log cabin in New
uncommon. England. Wikipedia.org Author:
Smallbones.

43. 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, & Winslow Homer painting of grafting of
pears were particularly fruit trees, 1870, Wikipedia.org
popular.

44. 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

45. 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.
Wikipedia.org, Author: Ed Yourdon
Parks are
important, because people
copy what they
see, especially if they are
from “reliable” sources.

46. Botanic Gardens in America
Shortly thereafter, in
1859, one of the first
botanic gardens
opened in St. Louis.
Botanic Gardens
have been
instrumental in
showing people Older structures and surrounding
gardens at the Missouri Botanical
various styles of Garden. Wikipedia.org Author:
gardening for the past Andrew Balet
two centuries.

47. 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

48. Rise of Ornamental Horticulture in North
America
Liberty Hyde Bailey
“Father of American
Horticulture.”
Hugely influential author
of Hortus plant
(1858-1954)
dictionaries. Wikipedia.org
Botanist, plantsman,
nature promoter.

49. 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).
Modern day commons in
At first, only available to the Comberton, England, Wikipedi
a.org Author: Andrew Dunn
wealthy who could afford to
grazing animals or hand
cutting.

50. 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
Wikipedia.org Author: Agri-Fab Inc.
the lawn mower in
1830, this symbol of the
wealthy became
available to all.

51. The American Dream Lawn
An 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
The White House Lawn:
recession, lawn is being Wikipedia.org Author:
replaced by vegetables C.M. Fitzpatrick
and other gardens
reflecting a new focus on

52. Inputs from Visionary Landscape Architects
MODERNISM IN AMERICAN GARDENS

53. “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 Gardens at the Getty Center, Los
them for home and Angeles, Wikipedia.org Author:
Vanderven
business use.

54. 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 Frederick Law Olmsted
Wikipedia.org
New York’s Central Park.

55. Olmsted “Dynasty”
Olmsteds included
Frederick Law Olmsted
(1822-1903), followed by
his sons, John Charles
(1852–1920) and Jefferson Monument, DC (FL
Olmsted, Jr.) Wikipedia.org
Frederick Law, Jr. (1870- Author: Joe Ravi CC-BY-SA 3.0
1957) (The Olmsted
Brothers)
Featured flowing,
natural lines and classic
landscape design
principles. Portland, OR, Washington
ParkWikipedia.org

56. Frank Lloyd Wright
1935, 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

57. 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.

58. Marx, a Respected Modernist
Roberto 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

59. Incorporate the Old into Something New
NEW TRENDS OF CONSERVATION
GARDENS

60. 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.

61. Sustainable Gardens
Worldwide, conser
vation 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

62. Green Roof Installation
The 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

63. 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.

64. Pollinator Gardens
 Planting flowering
plants that attract
pollinators has
become a
common past-
time.
Aster with pollinating bee.
Wikipedia.org Author: John Severns

65. Native Plant Gardens
Here is one
featured at the
McMinnville, OR
Library.
Oceanspray and
goldenrod

66. 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.

67. 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

68. 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%

69. 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+N
ewsletter&utm_campaign=Feb+20+Newsletter&utm_medium=email

70. 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.

71. Thank You!
• It is now your turn for questions and
comments.

72. • 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.