Michael Weishan
Encyclopedia
Michael Weishan is perhaps most widely known as the host of the American public television series, The Victory Garden, a position he held from 2001 through 2007. He was the fourth host of the series, and retired after five seasons to resume active direction of his landscape design firm, Michael Weishan and Associates, which specializes in creating traditionally inspired landscapes for homes across the US and Canada.
In addition to his work on PBS, Weishan has appeared on numerous national TV programs in the United States, including the Today Show on NBC, as well as the CBS Early Show. On radio, he hosted his own weekly NPR
program, The Cultivated Gardener from 1999–2001. Weishan is also the author of three books: The New Traditional Garden (1999); From a Victorian Garden (2004); and The Victory Garden Companion (2006).
The gardening editor at Country Living for five years, Weishan is a frequent contributor to various national periodicals, including New Old House Magazine where he writes a quarterly gardening column. Weishan also maintains an active lecture schedule across the United States and Europe, speaking to organizations such as garden clubs, trade show and museums on a wide range of horticultural subjects, in particular residential garden design and landscape history. His specialties include backyard landscape design, historic gardening, and the edible garden, including a special interest in what he terms the "New American Victory Garden." In June, 2009 Weishan was nominated to the prestigious Garden Club of America's National Speakers List.
Also in June 2009, Weishan launched a new garden blog on his website, entitled "Old House, Old Garden" which narrates the "tales, tips and techniques of Traditional Gardening." The "Old House, Old Garden" blog is the online continuation and expansion of Traditional Gardening, the magazine Weishan published in print form from 1996–2000.
An honors graduate of Harvard University
, Weishan is active in many charities and non-profit institutions, especially those relating to history and design; among them, he is a member of the Adams House
Senior Common Room at Harvard, where he is currently assisting Dr. Judith Palfrey
, Master of Adams House, in the restoration of Franklin Delano Roosevelt's student rooms at Harvard the FDR Suite at Adams House, Harvard University
to their original 1900s appearance, as a memorial to the 32nd president of the United States
and past students of Harvard College
.
Weishan, who lives outside of Boston surrounded by 3 acres (12,140.6 m²) of gardens, is currently at work on a new TV series, entitled Garden Earth in conjunction with Outpost Worldwide Productions, Creative Media Services, and KTWU
. scheduled for a 2011/12 release.
In addition to his work on PBS, Weishan has appeared on numerous national TV programs in the United States, including the Today Show on NBC, as well as the CBS Early Show. On radio, he hosted his own weekly NPR
NPR
NPR, formerly National Public Radio, is a privately and publicly funded non-profit membership media organization that serves as a national syndicator to a network of 900 public radio stations in the United States. NPR was created in 1970, following congressional passage of the Public Broadcasting...
program, The Cultivated Gardener from 1999–2001. Weishan is also the author of three books: The New Traditional Garden (1999); From a Victorian Garden (2004); and The Victory Garden Companion (2006).
The gardening editor at Country Living for five years, Weishan is a frequent contributor to various national periodicals, including New Old House Magazine where he writes a quarterly gardening column. Weishan also maintains an active lecture schedule across the United States and Europe, speaking to organizations such as garden clubs, trade show and museums on a wide range of horticultural subjects, in particular residential garden design and landscape history. His specialties include backyard landscape design, historic gardening, and the edible garden, including a special interest in what he terms the "New American Victory Garden." In June, 2009 Weishan was nominated to the prestigious Garden Club of America's National Speakers List.
Also in June 2009, Weishan launched a new garden blog on his website, entitled "Old House, Old Garden" which narrates the "tales, tips and techniques of Traditional Gardening." The "Old House, Old Garden" blog is the online continuation and expansion of Traditional Gardening, the magazine Weishan published in print form from 1996–2000.
An honors graduate of Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
, Weishan is active in many charities and non-profit institutions, especially those relating to history and design; among them, he is a member of the Adams House
Adams House (Harvard University)
Adams House is one of the twelve undergraduate houses at Harvard University, located between Harvard Square and the Charles River in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Named to commemorate the Adams family, including John Adams, the second president of the United States and John Quincy Adams, the sixth...
Senior Common Room at Harvard, where he is currently assisting Dr. Judith Palfrey
Judith Palfrey
Judith Palfrey is the T. Berry Brazelton Professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School and the author of Community Child Health: An Action Plan for Today and Child Health In America: Making A Difference Through Advocacy , and co-author of the Disney Encyclopedia of Baby and Childcare...
, Master of Adams House, in the restoration of Franklin Delano Roosevelt's student rooms at Harvard the FDR Suite at Adams House, Harvard University
FDR Suite at Adams House, Harvard University
The FDR Suite is a set of rooms at Adams House, Harvard College that were occupied by the 32nd president of the United States, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, from 1900-1904. Currently under restoration, the Suite is being refurbished as a living museum and memorial to President Franklin D...
to their original 1900s appearance, as a memorial to the 32nd president of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and past students of Harvard College
Harvard College
Harvard College, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is one of two schools within Harvard University granting undergraduate degrees...
.
Weishan, who lives outside of Boston surrounded by 3 acres (12,140.6 m²) of gardens, is currently at work on a new TV series, entitled Garden Earth in conjunction with Outpost Worldwide Productions, Creative Media Services, and KTWU
KTWU
KTWU, on digital channel 11, is a Public Broadcasting Service Public television station in Topeka, Kansas. The station is operated by Washburn University and provides public television service to eastern Kansas...
. scheduled for a 2011/12 release.
Major publications
- Weishan, Michael. The New Traditional Garden: A Practical Guide to Creating and Restoring Authentic American Gardens for Homes of All Ages. ISBN 0-345-42041-1
- Weishan, Michael and Laurie Donnelly. (2006). The Victory Garden Companion. ISBN 0-06-059977-4
- Weishan, Michael and Cristina Roig. (2004) From a Victorian Garden: Creating the Romance of a Bygone Age Right in Your Own Backyard. ISBN 0-670-89426-5