Reimagining a historic landscape requires more than simply planting new shrubs and flowers. It demands a thoughtful approach that honors the original design intent while adapting to modern needs. In one notable Ask This Old House project, landscape designer Jenn Nawada worked with a garden plan dating back to 1914, originally drawn by Harold Hill Blossom, a protege of Frederick Law Olmsted, the designer of Central Park. The goal was to reintroduce plants from Blossom’s original design and recreate that layered feeling with focal points visible both from inside the house and from the outdoor seating area. Before starting any restoration, look for original plans, historical society records, or clues in old photographs that can guide plant choices and layout. Understanding how the architectural design and building envelope design process integrates with landscape planning helps create a cohesive property-wide approach.
Researching the Original Site History
The first step in any historic landscape project is uncovering what originally existed on the site. Historic landscape designs tell a story about the property, the era, and the people who created them. The 1914 Blossom plan used in the This Old House project was preserved by the homeowners, but many properties require more detective work.
Begin your research with these resources:
- Local historical societies and archives that may hold original landscape plans or permits
- County property records and tax assessor files that sometimes include site descriptions
- University extension offices with archives of historic gardening publications
- Neighborhood association records, especially for properties in designated historic districts
- Sanborn fire insurance maps that show property layouts and building footprints
Old family photographs are among the most valuable resources. They reveal not just which plants were present but how they were arranged, how large they had grown, and how the landscape was used for daily life and entertaining. Aerial photographs from the mid-20th century can also reveal original tree lines, hedgerows, and garden boundaries that have since been obscured. For homeowners working with historic properties, understanding the psychology architectural landscape design principles that guided the original layout can inform which elements to restore and which to reimagine.
Clearing and Preparing the Garden Beds
Once the research phase is complete, the physical work begins. Clearing an overgrown historic garden requires patience and a careful hand. Many plants that appear to be weeds may actually be original plantings that have naturalized over decades. The This Old House team began by identifying and pulling weeds from the roots, using a garden rake to clear larger areas of brush.
Before removing any plant, assess whether it can be saved and transplanted. Use a border spade or transplanting spade to dig an outline around the root ball, position the blade underneath, and lift the plant from the ground. Place salvaged plants on a tarp in a shaded area until they can be replanted. Perennials that are thriving in their current location should generally be left undisturbed.
Working on a historic property often means navigating additional constraints. Homeowners in designated historic districts may need approval from a preservation board before making significant changes to the landscape. For inspiration on how period-sensitive properties can accommodate modern needs while preserving historic character, see how houses design modern house historic district approaches balance old and new.
Selecting and Sourcing Period-Appropriate Plants
Plant selection is where historic research directly meets the garden. The original Blossom plan from 1914 specified particular species that were popular in early 20th century landscape design. Reintroducing these plants was central to the restoration.
When selecting plants for a historic landscape restoration, consider these factors:
- Era authenticity – Choose varieties that were documented in nursery catalogs from the period. The 1910s saw popularity of peonies, hydrangeas, climbing roses, and clematis.
- Regional suitability – The original designer almost certainly selected plants suited to the local climate. Matching these choices ensures the garden thrives.
- Bloom succession – Historic gardens were designed for multi-season interest. Pair spring-blooming peonies with summer hydrangeas and fall-blooming sedum or clematis.
- Vertical interest – Many historic designs incorporated climbing vines along fences and structures. Sweet autumn clematis, which flowers white in September, was a common choice.
- Native integration – Early 20th century designers often blended native plants with cultivated varieties, creating layered ecological diversity.
The structural framework of any garden determines how plants are supported and arranged. Just as structural steel design principles govern how building frames distribute loads, the hardscape elements of a garden pathways, trellises, and retaining walls provide the physical skeleton that supports the planting design.
Implementing the Hardscape and Planting Layout
With the site cleared and plants selected, the layout phase brings the historic design to life. Hardscape elements are installed first because they establish the permanent circulation and structure of the garden. The This Old House team laid stepping stones on the cleared soil, digging down slightly so each stone sat flat, then backfilling around them to prevent wobbling.
A makeshift trellis was created by driving nails into an existing fence and tying string between them, providing a support structure for climbing vines. This approach respects the historic character while using minimal new materials. Climbing plants like clematis were pinned along the string, adding vertical interest without requiring a freestanding trellis.
| Hardscape Element | Historic Purpose | Modern Implementation |
|---|---|---|
| Stepping stone paths | Guided movement through layered garden rooms | Reclaimed stone or precast pavers set flush with soil |
| Trellises and arbors | Vertical structure for climbing plants | Existing fences retrofitted with string or wire supports |
| Retaining walls | Terraced planting beds on sloped sites | Dry-stacked natural stone matching local geology |
| Borders and edging | Defined planting beds and pathways | Low boxwood hedges or period-appropriate metal edging |
Planting technique matters for long-term success. Dig holes twice as wide as the root ball but slightly shallower, so the top of the root ball sits even with the soil line. Remove plants from their containers by tapping the bottom, then gently tease out the roots with your hands or a hand rake. Backfill with a mix of soil and compost, water thoroughly, and cover with about two inches of mulch, taking care not to bury the stems. The same approach to ground preparation and layering applies whether you are working with soft garden soil or harder surfaces. Knowledge of pavement design principles methods can inform how pathways, patios, and other hard surfaces integrate with planting beds in a historic landscape.
Seasonal Planning and Ongoing Garden Care
A historic landscape restoration does not end once the plants are in the ground. The true success of the design reveals itself over successive seasons as plants mature, bloom, and interact with each other. The This Old House team staged plants while still in their pots to evaluate the composition, keeping those with similar sunlight and water needs together.
Seasonal planning requires thinking about bloom sequences so the garden provides interest throughout the entire year. The team paired sweet autumn clematis, which flowers white in September, with sedum, another fall bloomer, while incorporating spring-blooming peonies and summer hydrangeas. This layered approach ensures that each season brings something new to enjoy.
Essential maintenance practices for historic gardens include:
- Watering deeply and consistently until all new plants are established, typically through the first full growing season
- Applying fresh mulch annually in spring, keeping it away from plant stems to prevent rot and pest issues
- Pruning climbing vines and shrubs in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges
- Dividing perennials as they outgrow their spaces to maintain the intended scale of the design
- Documenting the garden with photographs each season to track changes and inform future adjustments
Good garden design mirrors good interior design in its attention to flow, proportion, and accessibility. The principles that make an outdoor space comfortable and navigable for all users parallel those used inside the home. The same thinking behind accessible kitchen design and construction applies to creating garden paths that are wide enough for wheelbarrows and mobility devices, raised beds that reduce bending, and gathering areas that accommodate everyone.
Conclusion
Reimagining a historic landscape design is a rewarding process that connects the present with the past. By researching original plans, carefully clearing and preparing the site, selecting period-appropriate plants, and implementing thoughtful hardscape and planting layouts, homeowners can restore the layered beauty that the original designer intended. The Blossom plan from 1914 serves as a reminder that great landscape design endures across generations, adapting to new contexts while preserving its essential character. Whether your property has a documented historic plan or simply shows signs of an earlier era in its mature trees and stone walls, the same principles of research, patience, and layered planting apply. By approaching the restoration systematically and respecting the original design intent, you can create a garden that honors its history while thriving for decades to come. A landscape restoration project also benefits from understanding how ground surfaces transition from soft planting beds to load-bearing hardscapes, much like the pavement design structural design methods used in engineering to manage different load requirements and material transitions.