In Prairie School landscaping, the role of plants and greenery was to create a seamless connection between the built environment and the natural surroundings. The architects of the Prairie School, such as Frank Lloyd Wright, emphasized the integration of architecture with its natural surroundings, and plants played a crucial role in achieving this harmony.
Plants were strategically used to complement and enhance the horizontal lines and flat planes of the prairie landscape. The landscape designs often incorporated native grasses, low-growing plants, and long linear rows of trees to mimic the sweeping expanses of the prairie. These plant choices blended with the surrounding environment and helped create a sense of unity and coherence between the buildings and their surroundings.
Additionally, greenery played a functional role in Prairie School landscapes by providing shade, windbreaks, and privacy. Trees and shrubs were strategically placed to block undesirable views, create cozy outdoor spaces, and protect the buildings from harsh weather conditions.
The use of plants in Prairie School landscaping also aimed to establish a sense of time and seasonal change. By incorporating a variety of plants with different blooming periods, the landscape would transform throughout the year, showcasing the beauty of each season and instilling a sense of rhythm and life into the surroundings.
Overall, plants and greenery in Prairie School landscaping were used to seamlessly blend the built environment with its natural context, create functional and visually pleasing spaces, and reflect the inherent beauty and rhythm of the prairie landscape.
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