Olmsted Archives After both the landscape architect and the client had approved a general plan, planting plans were prepared. Where general plans showed the main features of a landscape design and the general arrangement of vegetation, planting plans would show a detailed layout of plantings, and included species names of trees and shrubs and quantities of each. After the approval of the planting plan, the firm would place an order for trees and shrubs. The firm did not directly supply plants or building materials. 
Olmsted Archives The planting plan for Fort Tryon shows a variety of plants and trees including ash, willow, hickory, and peach trees. A note on one section of the planting plan reads, "If interesting vegetation exists[,] take it into account when carrying out this plan. That is[,] leave some of it." A central component of Frederick Law Olmsted's design principles was the idea that the natural features and conditions of the land should be preserved where possible. Later partners in the firm adhered to this principle. The Olmsted firm did not have an in-house nursery. In fact, the firm intentionally did not form partnerships with particular nurseries in order to ensure that the client always got the highest quality and most suitable plants for the project at a fair price. Plans were only one way that the firm would illustrate their design ideas. Models provided three-dimensional representations of landscape designs. Go back to architectural and engineering drawings.
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Last updated: February 27, 2024