11-30-05 | News

RE: A Water Garden Design

Kris Gilbert wrote in with a General Comment on 07/29/05:

Dear LASN, I?EUR??,,????'???ve been reading your very useful magazine for a few years. You have provided many helpful and up-to-date articles during that time. I would like to suggest, however, that greater attention needs to be paid to the problem of invasive species.

As a case in point, I was dismayed to see water hyacinth and creeping jenny recommended as plants for water gardens (in ?EUR??,,????'??A Water Garden Redesign?EUR??,,????'??) in the July LASN. Both of these plants are considered to be invasive, and water hyacinth in particular has been described as ?EUR??,,????'??one of the worst weeds in the world?EUR??,,????'??+aquatic or terrestrial?EUR??,,????'?? on the University of Florida’s Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants website. As people whose jobs involve good stewardship of the landscape, this is an issue we should be aware of.

On another note, I was happy to see the Yosemite Falls article. I was interested and glad to see the descriptions of how Lawrence Halprin worked to meet the needs of the public in a way that respected the ?EUR??,,????'??genius loci?EUR??,,????'?? and natural character of the site. I also appreciated Leslie McGuire?EUR??,,????'???s article and am glad that some of Axel Erlandson?EUR??,,????'???s fabulous ?EUR??,,????'??Circus Trees?EUR??,,????'?? were able to be moved and preserved at Bonfante Gardens.

Kris Gilbert, ASLA
Binghamton, N.Y.

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RE: For: Georgia Southern University Takes Shape LASN - June 2005

Delma Presley wrote in with a General Comment on 07/19/05:

Dear LASN, The campus now reflects the region. Chuck uses native plants to remind us of the natural character of this place. Already the oak, especially the spreading live oak, is providing shade for pedestrians from one end of the campus to the other. He is also replenishing the historic forest of longleaf pines which long have symbolized the campus. Progressive administrators recently have insisted on an architectural theme for new buildings. In spite of some oddball structures from the sixties and seventies, Chuck has developed a matrix of varied flora, which links these architectural hits and misses. He is a gifted, soft-spoken landscape architect-as-artist. Everyone who walks the pavers and breathes the fragrance of nature owes a debt of gratitude to Chuck Taylor. Student recruiters pay him a compliment when they say, and quite often: ?EUR??,,????'??All we have to do is get a prospective student to visit the place. Then campus clinches the deal.?EUR??,,????'?? Sixteen thousand students and over one thousand faculty and staff wholeheartedly agree.

Delma Presley, Retired
Georgia Southern University
Statesboro, Ga.