Landscape Architect Looks At The American Scene

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31989, 16 May 1969, Page 6

Landscape Architect Looks At The American Scene

Mr F. Boffa, who recently completed a degree in landscape architecture in America, recently returned to New Zealand where he has taken up a position at Lincoln College.

Having had considerable practical experience to sup- ' plement his academic qualifi-

cations, he is in a good position to give appreciative comparisons between some aspects of horticulture in New Zealand and the States. Some of the questions which I put to him in an endeavour to provide some insight on the American scene, together with his replies, are given here:

Q: In your opinion what is the essential difference in garden concepts in the two countries? A: Generally I would say that the average American appears to make more use of his site without sacrificing the visual and aesthetic qualities of the over-all landscape. In many cases the garden is treated as an extension of the house, to be used for outdoor living, and conversely much of the outdoors is brought indoors in the form of raised planters used as room dividers, screens, or purely for visual impact. The degree of integration between the indoors and outdoors is influenced primarily by the climate and the budget. In New Zealand it appears that the house and garden are treated as two separate entities and in some cases clash strongly. Generally the average New Zealand garden is uninteresting, monotonous and treated purely as something to be decorated. We in New Zealand appear to lack the sensitivity that is apparent in much of the American suburban scene. -

Q: You mention the word “sensitivity.” There has recently been some comment on excessive use of fences here, particularly the unimaginative six feet high iron or picket fence. This, I believe, is not a feature of the American garden layout

A; .Privacy is more unobtrusively achieved and such fences as abound on the local scene, and to which you refer, are rare. Animal nuisance has been cited as one reason for the need of front fences, yet most American homes that I visited had at least a dog or cat if not both, the former being well controlled. The problem of strays does not seem to arise much. Where fences are desired much use is made of plant material and sculptured walls and screens.

Absence ef Fences < Q: What other noticeable differences were apparent to

you? A: As mentioned earlier the absence of fences is most striking and where these exist in some form or another, they are treated quite differently so as to become a part of the overall scene. You can travel down a suburban street and not be aware of property division as they are so integrated. Houses, too, are sited to advantage and greater use is made of existing topography and plants. Very noticeable is the fact that flowers are kept to the back of the property and bedding plants, so popular in the Christchurch area in particular, do not figure prominently.

Q: Landscape design is becoming recognised as a profession in New Zealand and there is a growing demand for this service. How does this compare with the American scene, for instance, in the case of an average person developing a new section? A. It is normal for such a person to consult a landscape architect. He has been recognised by the public for a long time and there is a greater appreciation of his worth. There is a closer cooperation between the landscape architect and the architect in the United States. Sections are generally larger than they are here—half acre blocks or more. These of course provide more scope and room for development. A landscape design may be drawn up for the whole area, but financial implications may necessitate development in stages. However, planning is so devised that although various parts of the garden are completed at different times they still relate fully with one another and do not appear as completely separate entities. Accord Achieved

Q. There is no doubt about the need for closer liaison between architects and landscape architects. Did you notice any particular ways in which this accord was evident?

A. Results of this nature are quite obvious. For instance one gets the impression of a greater appreciation of the value of existing trees and shrubs and what can and should be retained. It is not at all unusual to find a home or even a large building constructed around or even encompassing a large tree. Q. Do you feel that there is much difference between the attitude of people here and in the United States towards their garden?

A. This is not an easy question to answer. Most people in New Zealand enjoy being active in the garden, even if only to potter about In America, on the other hand, low maintenance gardening is the rule rather than the exception. I would like to explain that the aesthetic qualities of the garden are not sacrificed to achieve this. Much is dependent on the family income as well as the individual’s desire to be active in the garden. Generally one could say that unless an American had a genuine love of and desire to work, a full or part-time gardener is employed if he can be afforded. Q. There is a tendency here now to dispense with home growing of vegetables and fruits. Is there a similar trend in the United States? A. The large range of vegetables and herbs that are available all the year round at the supermarkets make it virtually uneconomical to grow your own. It is really only the hobbyist who concerns himself any longer with vegetable raising. Very few berry fruits are grown in the home garden compared with tree fruits. The choice of fruit trees is governed largely by the climate; however, much use is made of fruit trees. Where they are desired, generally they do not imply an “orchard look” but rather are treated as specimen trees as espaliers or are completely integrated with other plantings.

Q. You have already described how some aspects of the garden are treated in a different way. Would you briefly comment on the use of ornamentals and any additional features associated with the home section? Trained Trees A. Trained trees such as the espalier forms used on fruiting stock are popular, and these may be used to screen undesirable views or provide a private enclosure, or perhaps used as a specimen in the garden. Indoor plants are widely used, considerable value being attached to foliage plants rather than flowering types. There is a certain amount of “in fashion” with them; for Instance African violets may become overwhelmingly popular in one year and fade from favour in the next. Great emphasis is placed on “mobile" plants in the form of large potted specimens which may be arranged on the patio or elsewhere. The display is changed or shifted as desired. It could almost be said that the outdoors is brought indoors and this is clearly illustrated where the glasshouse is incorporated in the house design and may form an annex to the living room. The price of glasshouses is within the range of most people In the United States. Considerable use is made of ground cover, and stoloniferous grasses are very freely utilised, being more adaptable to those States which have warm, humid climates. These grasses, such as Bermuda grass, provide a thick, green, spongy mat which will stand hard wear. Another noticeable feature is the use made of texture and/or colour in walkways, driveways and patios. Q. One reads a lot about the numerous gadgets available to the American public.

Is • this much in evidence in the home garden?

A. The most obvious perhaps is the mini-tractor with mid-mounted mower. Comparative prices of motor mowers and garden equipment appear to be lower than here.

Q. Some of these minitractors are now available in New Zealand. We are very lucky in that most towns possess numerous garden clubs, both general and those that cater for the specialist. Do such organisations function in the States? A. Yes, very much so. In fact there also are clubs for men and others for women. The women’s garden clubs of America are more active in some ways than their counterparts in New Zealand. For instance they have played a major role in getting Federal and State legislation passed pertaining to highway beautification, billboard control and screening of junk yards. Q. To conclude this discussion would you care to make a few general comments from impressions gained and any views, hopes or ideas you have concerning landscaping here in New Zealand? A. America has been described by some as a melting pot of nationalities and to a much lesser degree this is perhaps true of New Zealand. The English influence is, or was, quite apparent in the two countries. However, the Americans have developed their own man-made landscape character whereas in New Zealand we do not have this. No tourist wants to come to New Zealand to see poor replicas of Japanese gardens. I would like to see New Zealand develop a landscape character of its own in accordance with our social and cultural heritage, climate, topography and native plant materials.