On Tuesday night we had our first membership [3] event: a lecture with the High Line's planting designer, Piet Oudolf [4]. You may have seen Piet's beautiful work in the gardens at Battery Park City, Millennium Park in Chicago, or at other sites elsewhere around the world.

Piet discussed his theory of planting design, which he describes as "inspired by nature". He then took us through the planting design plan for the High Line. The planting beds will vary based on the landscape design; some areas will be planted to feel more like a meadow, some a prairie, some woodland, and so on. This variation is based on the different microclimates that developed naturally on the High Line after trains stopped running on it. Piet also uses perennials that require less maintenance, and will look good throughout all four seasons.

'Brown is also a color': Planting Design Piet Oudolf Accepts Death [5]

Another one of Piet's presentations [6] is on our Web site.

Photos from Tuesday's presentation are after the jump.