Jens Jensen: Maker of Natural Parks and Gardens (Creating the North American Landscape)

Jens Jensen was an influential, though little remembered today, landscape architect and this book explains his place in our civic history. Small part biography, large part professional analysis: Grese has constructed an admirable case for caring about Jensen's career. His role in the prarie landscaping movement, his growing adoption of naturalistic and native plantings, and his insights into the role that urban parks (and their character) play in the living of urban life are all revelatory. The book is well-written, and held my interest throughout. The subject is admittedly a bit dry, but it significantly increased my understanding of Chicago's park system and improved the way I look at modern landscapes. I highly recommend to the book to students of native plants and landscape design.

Thank you.

After reading this book, I went to the Garfield Park Conservatory, said to be one of his still truest to form works. The Fern Room floored me. Next I walked the Park, and found many signs of Jens' hands. The next day I went to the historic Kurth property in Mequon, close to my Milwaukee home. Equally present were signs of invasives removal, and master strokes by both the Architect responsible for the stone work, a bridge and a boathouse, and what hinted to me as Jenson in origin, that being, 3 large white birches at cliff's edge, pulling you over to them, to see the view of Lake Michigan. Also saw crabs, leading the eye into the forest behind. The line of the path, former road, leading to the Lake's edge, was a long shot. Suddenly you see this clearing, and the Birches point you on in further. The family home has been razed, it was sited too close to a highly eroded cliff, so I don't know if the 'meadow' that the path leads into was intentional, or if it wan area cleared for planned future construction which did not occur.From this book, I also got a lead into a question about Jensen's work in my hometown of Kaukauna. This author is extremly rigorous in his documentations. It is a very satisfying read for a future landscape architect such as myself.

If you can get a copy of the DVD film, Jens Jensen: A Natural History by William H. Tishler and William P. Tishler, it’s worth the viewing after or before reading Jens Jenson Maker of Parks and Gardens by Robert Grese. Jenson died in 1951, but his work lives on in Illinois and other places as a lasting memorial in parks and private gardens. This book by Grese is invaluable and a must for gardeners in Illinois. The author has captured the soul of Jensen’s work and practice. After several years of trying to grow plants in Illinois, I like Jensen, have decided to concentrate on native plants and species. On a small scale, I will try to use one of the gardening designs. This title is full of enlightening suggestions and proven gardening sources from Jensen’s success. Make it a reference for your gardening library.

One of the rare works on this American master. Essential for any gardener who wants to understand the nature of natural plantings. Excellent photos of Jensen's works.