PLANT SELECTION AND SUSTAINABILITY
The High Line's landscape was created in partnership with Netherlands-based planting designer Piet Oudolf. For inspiration, Oudolf looked to the existing landscape that grew on the High Line after the trains stopped running. The plant selection favors native, drought-tolerant, and low-maintenance species, cutting down on the resources that go into the landscape.
SITE-SPECIFIC LANDSCAPE
Varied conditions of light, shade, exposure, wind, and soil depth on the High Line in its out-of-use state led to an incredibly complex variety of growing conditions, or "microclimates." The original, self-seeded landscape reflected this variation – where the High Line was narrow and sheltered by adjacent buildings, water was retained, soil was deeper, and vegetation was thicker, including several groves of tall shrubs and trees. Where the High Line was exposed to winds off the Hudson, the landscape was dominated by tough, drought-resistant grasses and wildflowers.
The current park landscape reflects the original microclimates of the High Line. By basing the planting design on naturally created plant communities, we create a well-adapted, site-specific landscape, cutting down on water and other resources needed to maintain it.
LOCAL SOURCING
Whenever possible, we source materials from within a 100-mile radius. Almost half of the High Line's plants are native species, and many were produced by local growers. Locally grown plants are better adapted to grow successfully in our climate, reducing the amount of plant failure and replacement costs. The High Line's ecosystem provides food and shelter for a variety of wildlife species, including native pollinators.