Landscapes and Gardens for Historic Buildings

Rudy J. Favretti is professor emeritus of landscape architecture at the University of Connecticut where he founded the nationally accredited landscape architecture program. In addition to his academic pursuits he established a private practice specializing in landscape preservation and restoration completing over 400 commissions, including Thomas Jefferson’s MONTICELLO, James Madison’s MONTPELIER, and George Washington’s MOUNT VERNON. He is a Fellow of the American Society of Landscape Architects, and all of his preservation-restoration plans and related materials, including over 4,000 colored slides, are part of the Archives of American Gardens at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC.Joy Putman Favretti is a graduate of Cornell University in botany and holds a master of library science degree from the University of Rhode Island. She has been director of several libraries and established many important archives for libraries and individuals. Joy has also served on several boards and commissions in the preservation field including the former Connecticut Historical Commission.

• Preface1American Landscape DesignThe Colonial Period, 1620–1775 Gardens of the New Nation, 1776–1850 The Victorian Period, 1860–1900 The Early Twentieth Century, 1900–1930 Landscape Settings for Public Buildings and Spaces Cemeteries 2Research and Plan DevelopmentSite Analysis Photographic Record Research and Documentation Developing a Philosophy and Developing a Plan 3Authentic Plants for Period Landscape SettingsTrends and Styles Procuring Period Plants List of Sources List of Authentic Plants for Recreating Period Landscapes4Maintaining the Restored LandscapeLawns Perennials and Shrubs Pest Control Supporting Plants Pruning Soil Fertility Projecting Maintenance and Its Costs Visitor Circulation and Wear Vandalism and Site Security AppendixBibliographyAcknowledgmentsIndex

This reviewer has used Landscapes and Gardens for Historic Buildings since its original publication in 1978. It is that rare book, concise and packed with easy-to-access information, much of it unique. In subsequent years, this pioneering effort inspired other publications—many of them valuable—but none ever surpassed the work under review. This new edition is no mere reprinting with a pretty new cover (although it has one). It is extensively updated with new information, as one would expect over the course of 40 years. Notably, the lists of ‘Authentic Plants for Period Landscape Settings’ are expanded. Additional illustrations, including several in color, are added. Other material was deleted because alternative sources emerged. For example, the volume no longer includes a list of sources for plants because one can easily Google any plant by its botanical (Latin) name to find a supplier. The book remains accessible and well-indexed. The original edition reflected the authors’ young careers as accomplished professionals; this new one is the summa of long, accomplishment-filled lives. This book is appropriate for all readers.Summing Up: Essential. All readers.