KATHERINE MABIS MCKENNA FOUNDATION
FALLINGWATER SUMMER LANDSCAPE 2023 INTERNSHIP REPORT
ABOUT US
2023 KATHERINE MABIS MCKENNA FOUNDATION INTERNS BLA Student, University of Maryland Hometown: New Carrollton, MD Favorite Tree: Sweet Birch Interests: Music, Traveling, Thrifting
GRAZELLE GIRAY
ELIZABETH “EMMIE” VOSS BLA Student, Thomas Jefferson University Hometown: Philadelphia PA Favorite Tree: Southern Magnolia Interests: Drawing, Reading, Traveling
CONTENTS ROCK FACE .............3
Cleanup + Deliverables Foraging
LOWER BORE .............7
Cleanup + Deliverables Design Implementation
UPPER BORE ............11
Cleanup + Deliverables Final Product
MAINTENANCE ...........15
Invasive Removal + Pruning Cut Flowers + Cutting Garden Barn + Hillside Garden (2022 Project)
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ...........21
Polymath Park + Kentuck Knob Pennsylvania State University + Arboretum The City of Philadelphia WPC Pittsburgh + Vipps Botanical Garden West Virginia Botanical Garden + George Longenecker’s House
PLANT ID + SKETCHES ..........35 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ..........37
02
ROCK FACE An iconic landscaping project for the Katherine Mabis McKenna Foundation Landscape interns has been the rock wall opposite from the front door of the Fallingwater house. In various years, it has been completely covered in greenery, completely bare, and everywhere in between. This year, the request was to design a permanent plan for the horticulturist and the maintenance team to implement and maintain for years to come. We initially started with mechanical removal of invasives, which became the entire task every time we were on the rock face due to the sheer amount of invasive coverage. We were then encouraged to focus on invasive removal for the remainder of the summer and install a few plants to test how they would live in the sunny yet extremely moist conditions.
CLEAN UP
03
Invasive wisteria, English Ivy, Japanese stiltgrass, and Forget-menots were covering the upper levels of the rock face. We took on the daunting task of removing as much of the invasives as possible.
WEEDING
We started with a ladder to climb up the rock face, but ultimately found it easier to ‘boulder’ up and move laterally across to reach challenging areas.
SITE ANALYSIS
When considering where to put native plants (once the invasives were pushed back), we needed to do a site analysis to understand water pathways, location of existing plants and other existing conditions.
04
PLANT LIST + FORAGING
With the help of George Longenecker, we went around the greater Western WPC sitePennsylvania and foraged for native plants Conservancy sitefrom and foraged for native plants from our list of potential plants to install on the rockface.
05
FINAL PRODUCT
We purchased and installed Narrowleaf Blue-Eyed Grass in addition to putting in Partridgeberry and Common Blue Violet that we found. This was where we decided to leave the Rock Face for this summer. 06
LOWER BORE During a maintenance project, they had to clear out several areas on the Fallingwater site for drill access. There are two clearings, the insertion site (discussed in the Upper Bore project) and the removal site of the drill, located northeast of the visitor center, right next to the exit of the boardwalk. Any unassuming visitor, headed in the opposite direction of the Fallingwater house, would notice this expansive leaflitter clearing framed by large swaths of rhododendrons and an enormous burning bush. At the back end, one can see (and hear) vehicular traffic passing through the parking lot.
CLEAN UP
07
The hillside between the Fallingwater driveway and the visitor parking lot was inundated and difficult to walk through due to mushy soil and poison ivy.
WEEDING
Aside from japanese stiltgrass, there was an enormous burning bush, perhaps 20-25’ tall and just as wide, that needed to be removed. It took two days for one person to take down the entire burning bush.
SITE ANALYSIS
When determining the needs of this site, we discussed with Mike Kuzemchak the need for dense plantings higher up in the site (for audible and visual blockage) and a pathway for maintenace to access the water meter.
08
DESIGN DELIVERABLES
The request for the site was to restore the vegetation and connect the forest while integrating some visual interest. In order to present our ideas for the site design, we made multiple iterations of diagrams, site plans, and drawn perspectives to communicate the planting concepts.
INTRODUCING...
MIKE KUZEMCHAK Director of Operations at Fallingwater Favorite Tree: Black Gum (Nyssa sylvatica)
09
DESIGN IMPLEMENTATION
We went plant shopping and purchased Green and Gold, male and female Winterberries, and a Flowering Dogwood to fill in the void that was left when the burning bush was removed. We also planted a baby rhododendron in the area.
FINAL PRODUCT
Our handling of the Lower Bore site ends with the established plans, plant lists, and beginnings of the design implementation. We now turn this project over to the Horticulturist and the maintenance team to continue installing plants and to finish the design. 10
UPPER BORE The insertion (and subsequent replacement of the drill bit due to rocky soils) site of the drill for the water piping bore left a blank canvas for a new installation or, in our case, a restoration project. Located just outside the Visitor Center on the southwest side between the Speyer Gallery and the restrooms, guests walk through this area via the return path from the View. Currently, they see a sizable expanse of leaf litter as ground cover and swaths of jewelweed, framed by a canopy of tall trees. In addition, there is a scattering of mountain laurels and rhododendrons on the perimeter, which further contrasts the dense forest from the bare bore sites.
CLEAN UP
11
We started with clearing out the jewelweed to level out and see the true extent of the site. The area is soggy and covered in leaf litter, an eyesore for visitors passing through the area.
WEEDING
Several invasives were on this site- especially japanese stiltgrass and non-native honeysuckle. As well as jewelweed and smartweed. We mechanically removed them to the best of our ability.
SITE ANALYSIS
Prior to cleaning out the weeds, we noticed that the intense presence of jewelweed meant that the site held a lot of water. After clearing out the space, we noted the sunlight patterns throughout the day and the soil conditions to determine that the space needed a rain garden and a fern field to mitigate the constant inundation of water in the area.
12
DESIGN DELIVERABLES
As another restoration project, we focused on natives that we could find around the greater WPC area and formulated a drafted plan for the rain garden and fern field.
13
DESIGN IMPLEMENTATION
We purchased and planted several natives in the site: Blue False Indigo, Blue Star, Cardinal Flower, Annabelle Hydrangea, and Witch Hazel.
FINAL PRODUCT
We set up the plans and deliverables to establish phases of implementation. We completed phase one, and the rest of the phases are for the Horticulturist and maintenance team to complete. 14
INVASIVE REMOVAL MAINTENANCE
The most intensive aspect of the internship is invasive removal. Burning bush, Japanese Stiltgrass, Crown Vetch, non-native Honeysuckle, Forget-me-nots, and more are present in patches around Fallingwater. We periodically pulled invasives around the parking lots, leading to and from the visitor center, on pathways to the Fallingwater house, at the project sites, and anywhere we could find them. While we did focus on the project sites, we were also directed to the Gatehouse, Tissue Lane, the switchbacks, and even around the Ream house to pull invasives.
INVASIVE HONEYSUCKLE
15
Right by the main entrance to the Fallingwater Visitor Center, there was a giant patch of intended periwinkle (not native, but not invasive) that had succumbed to a large swath of invasive honeysuckle.
INTRODUCING...
EMILY SACHS Horticulturist at Fallingwater
Favorite Tree: Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida)
16
PRUNING (LILAC + RHODODENDRON + WISTERIA) MAINTENANCE
Periodically throughout the summer, we pruned around the site. First, was the lilac near the intern housing complex, which was massive. It seemed nearly impossible to make a dent in its size, but we did. Later on, we met with some of the maintenance team to prune the wisteria at the Barn and at the Fallingwater Guest House. It was adventurous climbing on top of the Guest House and the trellis to trim down the grandfathered-in invasive wisteria. George Longenecker and Emily Sachs decided to take a day to prune down the rhododendron both down at the driveway and up at the High View (accessible view of Fallingwater). This made a noticeable difference, as one could not see much of the iconic views of Fallingwater prior to our takeover.
17
18
CUT FLOWERS + CUTTING GARDEN MAINTENANCE
Every week on Wednesdays (the only day of the week that duringthe thesummer) summer)we we Fallingwater is closed to visitors durin would trek around the site and gather blooms and greenery for flower bouquets at the Vistor Center. We tried for a different series of bouquets week after week, which led to some ambitious creations and several of the staff have approached us commending on our artistry throughout the summer. We also helped maintain the cutting garden with volunteers throughout the summer. We edged, mulched, and planted new annuals and perennials with Fallingwater Horticulturist Emily Sachs. When looking for blooms for the bouquets, we typically started at the Cutting Garden.
Cutting Garden 2023 ZEC IV
19
PO
LS
SN
DC
ZED
TC
AD AM AS CB D DC DP DPF EP EPP GP HA HI IV LS LV
PO
SA DPF
AM
PP
CB
ZEJ
OB
AD
SA
AS
OBA
SC
NC
GP
SN
LV
AD
EPP
DP
HI
MD
EP + HA
DP
PV
PO
MISC
D
Aruncus dioicus Antirrhinum majus Allium sativum Cosmos bipinnatus Digitalis Dianathus caryophyllus Dahlia pinnata Dahlia pinnata Echinacea purpurea Echinacea purpurea Gomphrena pulchella Helianthus annvus Hypericum x inodorum ‘KOLPINOT’ Iris versicolor Lobelia siphilitica Leuanthemum vulgare
goatsbeard Snapshot(TM) Pink and Liberty Classic mix snapdragon
allium cosmos foxglove carnation mixed dahlias Figaro(TM) Mix dahlia echinacea Prairie Splendor Rose Compact Truffula(TM) Pink globe amaranth Autmun Beauty sunflower Floralberry Pinot St. John’s wort Blue Flag iris Lobelia Blue iris Oxeye daisy
MD NC OB OBA PO PP PV SA SC SN TC ZEC ZED ZEJ MISC
Monarda didyma ‘Balbalmink’ PPAF Balmy Pink and Balmy Purple bee balm Nepeta cataria catnip Ocimum basilicum var. thyrsiflora Thai Sweet basil Ocimum basilicum ‘African Blue’ African Blue basil peony Paeonia officinalis Phlox paniculata Sweet Summer(TM) Queen phlox Physostegia virginiana Crystal Peak obedient plant Salvia apiana white sage Scabiosa columbaria Butterfly Blue pincushion flower woodland sage Salvia nemorosa Carolina false lupine Thermopsis caroliniana Zinnia elegans Profusion Cherry Bicolor zinnia Zinnia elegans Profusion Double Deep Salmon zinnia Jazzy mix zinnia Zinnia elegans Echinaceae & Rudbeckia Gardener’s Cottage
20
BARN + HILLSIDE GARDENS (2022 INTERN PROJECT) MAINTENANCE
The 2022 Katherine Mabis McKenna Foundation Landscape interns had a project at the Bear Run Barn- on the hillside between the farmhouse and Barn. We did some maintenance here with a light weeding, pruning, and a fresh layer of wood chips before a wedding that weekend. coming weekend. The patch behind the Barn was more intense and densely packed with natives. For the most part, we left this alone, as there were events coming up and dense packing of vegetation was better visually than bare spots. However, we did take advantage of the variety of plantings there to do some plant identification with George Longenecker.
21
INTRODUCING...
JUSTIN GUNTHER Director of Fallingwater
Favorite Tree: Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis)
22
INTRODUCING...
DANIEL ROTHERMEL Fawcett Digital Multimedia Intern
Favorite Tree: Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis)
Spending a summer at one Frank Lloyd Wright house leads to visiting other FLW houses within close proximity, such as Kentuck Knob and the two homes in Polymath Park. All of the Fallingwater interns, including Daniel Rothermel, a multimedia intern, went on a tour of all three of the additional FLW homes in Southwestern Pennslyvania. We experienced a lot of compress and release variations throughout the homes, a cool sculpture and arts garden, and gained a new appreciation for the famous architect’s designs.
POLYMATH PARK + KENTUCK KNOB PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
23
24
Derek Kalp and his landscape-related interns had visited Fallingwater to review our projects, and we returned the favor by making a trip to State College and visiting Penn State’s Campus and the nearby Arboretum at Penn State. There, we saw several hundred-year old American Elms and some of the projects that Derek and his interns were working on. We were given a tour around the Office of Physical Plant, the campus, and joined other interns to visit the Arboretum. It was really cool to see thriving educational facilities in the outdoors- from an educational children’s garden in the Children’s Gate, to the Birdhouse (overlooking a native wetland setup), as well as beautiful perennial meadows and a variety of trees.
PENN STATE CAMPUS + ARBORETUM PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
25
INTRODUCING...
DEREK KALP Landscape Architect at Penn State Office of Physical Plant 26
FIRM TOUR AT STUDIO BRYAN HANES
We were able to meet with Rebekah Armstrong from Studio Bryan Hanes in Philadelphia. She showed us the studio and many models, drawings, and photos. In addition, she gave us an in-depth tour of Sister Cities and the Rail Line parks in Center City, which the studio designed.
As part of the internship, we were able to visit the Garden Capital of the United States: Philadelphia. Year after year, the Katherine Mabis McKenna Interns have visited the city for the parks, gardens, and beauty that gave the city its nickname. We took advantage of the opportunities there to visit with a Landscape Architecture firm, see their studio and some of their built sites, visit gardens in and around Farmount Park, and visit beautiful estates such as at Winterthur and Chanticleer.
INTRODUCING...
REBEKAH ARMSTRONG Landscape Architect at Studio Bryan Hanes Favorite Tree: Yellowwood (Cladrastis kentuckea)
27
There were a lot of stellar examples of landscape design, community spaces, natural restoration, displays of gardens around the world, parks and recreation, and more that helped inspire and expose us to different avenues in the Landscape Architecture field.
CITY OF PHILADELPHIA PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
CITY PARKS
We then headed out to West Fairmount Park to see as many of the areas as possible. Shofuso, a japanese garden transplanted near the Fairmount Horticulture Center, was taranquil space, and so was Bartram Gardens along the Schuykill River.
28
WINTERTHUR
We drove down to Northern Delaware to visit the du Pont’s Estate at Winterthur. The gorgeous estate and gardens- 60 acres of historical and nearly 1,000 acres of preservation lands-. There had awas lot toa see meadow restoration lot towith seetheir with extensive their extensive meadow restoration projects and the various themed gardens around the site.
29
CHANTICLEER
On the last day of our trip, we visited Chanticleer to experience an established Pleasure Garden, which was filled with thirteen fun creatively-designed gardens. It was a cool lesson on how to make sure designs and landscapes are interactive, not just showcases of nature. 30
INTRODUCING...
WPC PITTSBURGH TEAM WESTERN PENNSLYVANIA CONSERVANCY PITTSBURGH TEAM
Shawn (Sassafras) Andrew (Sugar Maple) Kelly (Magnolia) Lori (Sweet Bay Magnolia) Chris (Red Maple) Emily (Cottonwood) Marah (Larch) Ryan (Silver Maple)
Every year, the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy has the Fallingwater Interns come to Pittsburgh to work with the WPC Division to plant and maintain the various plant beds and gardens around the city. This was a rare opportunity to meet peopleininthe theWPC WPCthat thatwere werenot notbased basedatatFallingwater. Fallingwate. We joined people them to weed and plant in a bed near the Liberty Tunnel, then split up to go to two other sites around the city to cover more ground. In the afternoon we headed to Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. Working maintenance in a more urban setting was a different experience than working in the middle of the woods in Mill Run. There were more constrictions on which could and could not be planted in the high-traffic locations due to maintenance and accessibility considerations.
VOLUNTEERING WITH WPC
We were guided by the WPC Pittsburgh team planting shrubs, annuals, and perennials at three separate sites around the city. It was fun working with a larger team and gratifying to see plant installations happen quickly and efficiently. 31
CITY OF PITTSBURGH PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
PHIPPS BOTANICAL GARDENS AND CONSERVATORY
We met with a designer at Phipps, Jordyn Melino, who showed us around the Hawaiian Tropical Forest exhibit of which she was responsible for the composition and execution. She went into detail of the process and completion of the showcases at Phipps.
INTRODUCING...
JORDYN MELINO Exhibit Coordinator and Designer at Phipps Favorite Tree: Katsura (Cercidiphyllum japonicum)
32
INTRODUCING...
SARA SAURINO Landscape Architect and Owner of Studio on Stoney Run
The last trip for the interns was to Star City and Morgantown, West Virginia. Here, we met up with a past intern, Sara, who showed us around a built site that she designed using what she had learned during her time at Fallingwater. There, we learned the importance of being flexible with future designs, working with a team, and the significance of community involvement in creating an accessible and pleasant space. In the afternoon, we met with George Longenecker for the final time this summer at the West Virginia Botanical Garden, of which he is the founder of. We spent the afternoon experiencing the history and new additions to the Botanical Garden, learning about education within the landscape architecture field. Having a space like the garden made plant identification (of which George is nationally known for) more hands-on and accessible for any student.
SITE TOUR WITH STUDIO ON STONEY RUN
Sara Saurino showed us around a built site: the Edith B. Barill Riverfront Park (and Trail) and showed us land restoration tactics, slope retention methods, and commnuity design. In addition, she gave us invaluable tips on client interaction and starting our professional careers. 33
WEST VIRGINIA
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
WEST VIRGINIA BOTANICAL GARDENS
George Longenecker met with us a the West Virginia Botanical Garden and showed us around the different sections (including one in his honor!) We met with the Director of the Botanical Garden as well as a few other key people on our tour with George.
CLIFFSIDE - GEORGE LONGENECKER HOUSE
After spending time at the Botanical Garden, we went for dinner at the Longenecker’s, and were given the grand tour of the seven story, split-level, entirely handmade home ‘between rock and a hard place.’ 34
PLANT ID WITH GEORGE
35
SKETCHES 36
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS KATHERINE MABIS MCKENNA FOUNDATION MIKE KUZEMCHAK FW DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
JUSTIN GUNTHER
DIRECTOR OF FALLINGWATER VP of WESTERN PENNSLYVANIA CONSERVANCY
EMILY SACHS
FW HORTICULTURIST KMMF LANDSCAPE INTERNS SUPERVISOR
GEORGE LONGENECKER
KMMF LANDSCAPE INTERN MENTOR/ADVISOR
GUESTS
DANIEL ROTHERMEL, FAWCETT DIGITAL MULTIMEDIA INTERN DEREK KALP, LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT REBEKAH ARMSTRONG, LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT WPC PITTSBURGH STAFF JORDYN MELINO, BOTANICAL EXHIBIT CURATOR SARA SAURINO, LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
37
FW MAINTENANCE FW SECURITY