I look at the jungle in the backyard of my turn-of-the-century house and I can see (through the vines) English boxwood as old as my house. Daffodils spring up each year in swaths as well, and clearly, there was intent behind where the azalea bushes were placed. The overall plan, however, is no longer discernible. Looking at it makes me wonder how the professionals manage to restore the landscape design of a historic site.

In conjunction with the Garden Club of Virginia, landscape architect Will Rieley will talk about the restoration work at significant gardens like Monticello and Poplar Forest at the Virginia Historical Society on March 11 and March 18 (5:30 to 7 p.m.; $50 for VHS members and $60 for non-members). He'll show how each project was researched, including the uses of computer technology to analyze historic sites. For more information or to register, call 342-9676 or visit the Virginia Historical Society's Web site. Read full story