Left to right : Michael Van Valkenburgh , Dennis Collins , Matt Moffitt of MVVA , and Michael Dosmann and Ned Friedman of Arnold Arboretum , reviewing the planting plan for Harvard Hill . Photo by Dave Barnett .
work . Michael Van Valkenburgh explained it this way :“ Our design intervention intends to summarize the historical character of Harvard Hill as a framework for its 21 st century evolution .” A naturalistic style seemed fitting so that Harvard Hill would be beautiful and inspiring but also ecologically sustainable .
Over the next several months , the MVVA team facilitated a number of stimulating design and horticultural discussions among Harvard , Mount Auburn , and Arnold Arboretum staff , and by the summer of 2015 we had agreed upon a landscape plan to be implemented in two phases . The first phase , completed in November 2015 , involved extensive re-grading to improve accessibility and reestablish Amaranth Path , which had historically encircled the Harvard lot . The existing spotty turf was removed and replaced with a slowgrowing , drought-tolerant fescue sod , and the surrounding slopes were stabilized . In addition , several declining trees were removed .
The second phase , just completed in the spring of 2016 , included soil improvements and a major landscape planting of 16 trees , 520 shrubs , and over 7,800 ferns , perennials , and groundcovers in and around Lot 330 . Many of the shrubs and groundcovers used to create the layered plant palette in Consecration Dell , such as rosebay and large-leaf rhododendron , mapleleaf viburnum , pinxterbloom azalea , mayapple , bloodroot , and Christmas fern , were incorporated into the planting . Loosely arranged columnar sugar maples were used to strengthen the legibility of Amaranth Path and preserve views into and from Harvard Hill . To resist erosion , the steep slopes created by the restored Amaranth Path were planted with quickly spreading ‘ gro-low ’ fragrant sumac , marginal wood fern , Christmas fern , and Solomon ’ s seal . Additional plants were chosen to complement other areas of the Cemetery having similar sun exposure , topography , and drainage patterns , including Appalachian sedge , spreading Japanese plum yew , and mountain laurel . An efficient irrigation system was installed for plant establishment .
We are grateful for the funding provided by Harvard University for this exciting project , designed by Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates and installed by Robert Hanss Landscape Construction . We celebrated completion of the project with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 24 .
Left to right : Laura Solano of MVVA , Bob Hanss , Dave Barnett , and Katie Lapp and Marc Johnson of Harvard University . Photos by Bree Harvey .
2016 Volume 2 | 11