I'm planning a historic garden project and need advice on 'restoration'. What are the key considerations according to gardenvisit.com? Specifically, what does 'restoration' mean, why is the term often misused in this context, and what is the most crucial initial planning decision for an authentic restoration project?
Navigate to 'gardenvisit.com'. Click on the 'Garden Design' link. On the 'Garden Design and Garden Designers' page, locate the 'Advice and Information' section. Click on the 'Historic Garden Restoration' link. Identify the definition of 'restoration' as applied to gardens. Identify common reasons or examples for the misuse of the term 'restoration'. Identify the vital key consideration for an authentic restoration project. Synthesize this information into a concise answer.
State that 'restoration' means 'to return to its former condition'. Explain that the term is often misused when applied to general garden design (e.g., planting decorative plants in a walled vegetable garden without historical basis) or when historical information is lacking. State that a vital consideration is deciding on a specific 'target date' for the restoration, as gardens undergo continuous change.