Leavitt was given this diverse plot of land to redesign with the requests of it preserving natural elements and including more to be self-sustaining. In order to please Chester's request to preserve, Leavitt's plan caused little disturbance to the natural environment; instead, he enhances its beauty and mediates the transitions from natural woods to "English country estate" (Michael Lane and Dan McClelland 1980, 2). The building of the home came with some cutting down of trees and changing the land and so in order to keep the natural look, hid many unnatural elements (Michael Lane and Dan McClelland 1980, 5). 

The Trees:

During the tour the guide mentioned that at one point there were no trees blocking the view of the lake and that the Congdon's had many planted. Leavitt got to work planning what type of tree. In a few letters written back and forth with some landscape nurseries we can see how some varieties did not do as well in Duluth's harsh winter. Leavitt got to do some experimenting (Michael Lane and Dan McClelland 1980, 4). Although these trees were planted in natural looking clumps, the spots to where each clump was placed was carefully thought out and curated. 

Formal Gardens and Greenhouses:

Now to the self-sustaining aspect, Leavitt included fields for cattle to graze; he planted gardens and an orchard with intention to feed; and created greenhouses for growing exotic plants, like banana trees, and annuals to fill the formal gardens in the spring and summer (Glensheen 2025)(Michael Lane and Dan McClelland 1980, 6). His background in civil engineering helped with irrigation and water supply (Michael Lane and Dan McClelland 1980, 5). Such things supplied water to all of the gardens. This would not have happened naturally. 

Glensheen has beautiful formal gardens broken up with fountains, brick, and stairs. These areas are more obviously curated. They were near the home itself leading you inside. They took shape after English landscape gardens with a loose look and excess of beautiful flowers (Michael Lane and Dan McClelland 1980, 3). Yet even those gardens were more structured then appeared. 

The Congdon's were going for the look of an English country estate, and they hit it on the nose. Later English gardens specifically looked to creating a natural look while working with the land (“How to Create a Landscape Garden like Capability Brown” 2020). They were working with a large amount of land and plenty of resources. These are ideal conditions for a garden such like the English. The style reminds me of a William Kent or Capability Brown. Americans like Frederick Law Olmsted took inspiration from them and Leavitt, inspiration from him (Michael Lane and Dan McClelland 1980, 7). The main things I want to point out is clump planting to get a more natural look and guiding paths along the grounds. 

Now if you were not questioning if Glensheen was an English estate, Chester and Clara chose the name "Glensheen" to make that connection for you (Webb 2009, 6). There is no room to guess where the curated natural look came from. 

Curated does not equate to bad. For Glensheen, the curated natural works. Chester's wishes still came true. The grounds preserved the lands natural beauty. Some would say that curated was better than completely natural because of how reliant the manner was on it's gardens. Some would say that the exterior rivals the interior in beauty (Webb 2009, 4). It is understandable then why I wanted to look outside while touring the inside. After the tour I braved the cold and walked through these beautiful grounds. The beauty of nature stood out to me and not the intentions of man.