Preserving History Through Horticulture: The Art of Historic Preservation Landscaping in Union County

Union County, North Carolina, stands as a testament to American history, with its roots stretching back to the 1700s when the Waxhaw settlement first flourished along the banks of Waxhaw Creek. Today, as homeowners and institutions work to preserve the county’s rich architectural heritage, historic preservation landscaping has emerged as a crucial element in maintaining the authentic character of period properties throughout Monroe, Waxhaw, and surrounding communities.

Understanding Historic Preservation Landscaping

Historic preservation landscaping is a complex task that goes beyond simple gardening—it’s about telling stories through plants and creating educational experiences that connect us to the people, places, and events of the past. Unlike built landscape features such as structures and fences, plants are living and dynamic components that grow, age, deteriorate, and die, making their preservation and replacement a delicate balance between historical accuracy and practical maintenance.

In Union County, where historic sites include the Old Union Courthouse (1886), the Confederate Memorial (1910), and properties dating back to the early 1800s, maintaining period-appropriate gardens requires specialized knowledge of both historical horticulture and local growing conditions.

The Importance of Research and Documentation

Research is critical to ensure a historic landscape is restored as accurately as possible, requiring study of historic maps, air photos, park reports, correspondences, and archives to understand how a landscape developed and changed over time. For Union County properties, this might include examining colonial-era gardens that featured strawberries, foxgrapes, peaches, wild figs, and Indian plums, as well as foods introduced by the enslaved community including gourds, okra, watermelon, and yams.

Professional landscaping union contractors who specialize in historic preservation work closely with local preservation commissions and historical societies to ensure authenticity. This collaborative approach involves consulting with State Historic Preservation Offices and preparing documentation that identifies how restoration work will be performed without damaging historic features and how garden spaces will sensitively reflect their historic use.

Selecting Period-Appropriate Plants

Choosing the right plants for historic preservation landscaping in Union County requires understanding both the historical context and the local climate. Research into plants used during specific periods is essential, with many projects incorporating original heirloom cultivars as part of vintage garden preservation, though these original cultivars are often rare and difficult to locate.

For North Carolina properties, Virginia’s rich lineage of historic perennials, annuals, herbs, shrubs, and trees are still available for planting today, including varieties grown or documented by President Thomas Jefferson, with cultivars representing native and heritage plants cultivated in America for centuries. Historic collections might include heirloom roses, dianthus, iris, and peonies, with Noisette roses being considered among the first rose hybrids in America, telling the fascinating story of 19th-century rose breeding and development.

Addressing Modern Challenges

Historic preservation landscaping faces unique challenges that require creative solutions. When original plants need to be removed due to irreversible damage, deterioration, or death, replacement with the same species is ideal, though issues of pests and diseases, lack of commercial availability, or local restrictions may require alternative approaches.

Projects often require smaller equipment to limit disturbance, careful excavation to preserve archaeological resources, and special care during site preparation to avoid damaging historic features, including 350-year-old gravestones or other historically sensitive landscape elements.

Working with Local Expertise

Union County’s professional landscaping services understand the importance of creating outdoor spaces that serve as extensions of historic homes while incorporating sustainable practices and native plants that reflect the natural beauty of Monroe and surrounding areas. These professionals are committed to building lasting relationships with clients who value historical accuracy and environmental stewardship.

While typical landscapes take time to grow into their full design, historic landscapes should replicate their appearance from a specific time period, often requiring the planting of larger, more mature specimens to achieve an established look. Modern considerations like irrigation systems are often incorporated, as preservation cannot rely solely on natural conditions, especially when properties aren’t continuously occupied.

The Value of Historic Preservation Landscaping

By capturing and maintaining the features of the past, we gain a fuller picture of how our ancestors thought and felt, with plants serving as living antiques that have the ability to connect us to people, places, and events of the past. These plants are tangible and edible links to our past, allowing us to see and taste what historical varieties were like before they were bred for modern convenience.

For Union County property owners, investing in historic preservation landscaping not only maintains the integrity of their historic properties but also contributes to the broader cultural heritage of communities like Monroe and Waxhaw. The Waxhaw Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, exemplifies how proper preservation efforts can protect, preserve, and sustain historic buildings, landmarks, and unique character for future generations.

Getting Started with Your Historic Preservation Project

Whether you own a colonial-era farmhouse, a Victorian mansion, or any historic property in Union County, beginning a historic preservation landscaping project requires careful planning and professional expertise. Start by researching your property’s history, consulting with the Union County Historic Preservation Commission located in the Heritage Room at the Historic Courthouse (300 N Main Street), and working with experienced landscaping professionals who understand both historical accuracy and modern sustainability practices.

Historic preservation landscaping represents more than just maintaining old gardens—it’s about preserving living history and ensuring that future generations can experience the authentic character and beauty of Union County’s remarkable heritage. Through careful research, appropriate plant selection, and expert implementation, these historic landscapes continue to tell their stories while adapting to meet the needs of contemporary life.