Warren Manning

Warren Henry Manning (November 7, 1860–1938) was an American landscape designer and promoter of the informal and naturalistic "wild garden" approach to garden design. In his designs, Manning emphasized pre-existing flora through a process of selective pruning to create a “spatial structure and character.” (Karson, 1997) An advocate for the conservation of the American landscape, Manning was a key figure in the formation of the American Society of Landscape Architects and a proponent of the National Park System.

Warren H. Manning was born in Reading, Massachusetts, to Jacob Warren Manning, who owned and operated a nursery. It was here that Manning developed an extensive knowledge of plant materials. Jacob Manning nourished his son’s interest in horticulture by including him on botanical expeditions and visits to other nurseries including the Downing nursery, owned by Charles Downing, brother of Andrew Jackson Downing (Karson, 2000). Manning also credited his mother, Lydia, a watercolorist, for his appreciation of the smaller details found in nature by exposing him to the home garden, pointing out “birds, flowers, toads, butterflies and beetles (Karson, 1997). Manning wrote that he “modeled in sand and mud hills, valleys, tunnels, houses, roads, and gardens with pools” (Karson, 1997). In 1884, this exposure, coupled with the internship experience at his father’s nursery, led to his desire to make “America a finer place in which to live” (Karson, 1997) and to choose landscape design as a profession.

By 1884, the 26-year-old Manning was designing landscapes for James Warren Manning’s customers. During his time as an apprentice, Manning furthered his plant knowledge while attending Harvard’s Olmsted designed Arnold Arboretum for Saturday study sessions, foreshadowing what would eventually be one of Manning’s greatest influences. During this time, Manning also found time to go on plant hunting trips in the White Mountains (New Hampshire) (Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens 2007).

In 1885, Manning married his wife, Nellie Hamblin Pratt. Three years later, he left his father’s nursery pursuing his goal, seeking the company of the “most eminent man in the landscape profession" (Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens 2007). His searching landed him in the office of one of the most influential landscape architects of his time; Frederick Law Olmsted

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