The first trees in the Zappeion Gardens were planted in 1857. The architect Theodore Hansen, reviewing the drawings for the Zappeion exhibition hall, also developed a plan for the gardens. According to architectural historian Constantine E. Biris, the design was carried out by the French architect Dé sir Matton with some modifications. The Zappeion Gardens, originally in the French geometric style, were later transformed into the free curved lines of an English garden. The planting was supervised by the Athenian agriculturist Anthonios Schmitt, son of the Bavarian head gardener of the Royal Garden, Frederick Schmitt.→