Modern design with rustic materials
The clients of this garden design wanted as much space as possible on this sloping plot. The garden serves the client as a retreat, a place of peace and relaxation. The spatial division of the garden takes this need into account, creating various garden spaces on finely differentiated levels. The long pergola, which rises up from the entrance to the house at the side of the garden like a wide pergola with striking posts made of porous tuff, will be overgrown with a green roof of wisteria over time. As a soft stone, the tufa will change over time, but this will give it its very own character and charm.
The rustic materialisation contrasts wonderfully with the modern design and furnishings: shell limestone was chosen to match the tuff for the paving and the covering slabs of the walls and posts, which is also coarse-pored and thus blends harmoniously into the overall picture. The result is an exciting contrast between the tuff and the lighter and finer travertine, as both materials were used within one component.
Play of light in the niche
On one side, the pergola is enclosed by a half-height tufa wall, while on the other side you can step out onto the lawn between the supports at any time. Straight ahead, the pergola leads to a small spot on a slightly raised ledge, which becomes a cosy retreat thanks to the cul-de-sac.
The play of light and shadow is emphasised by the white-flowered plants in this alcove, and also by the fact that the sunlight shines through the pergola and the loose small trees, creating an exciting pattern on the floor. The cushion chest for the furniture is also cleverly concealed in this corner. On the left-hand side of the pergola, a small water feature is set into the wall, which can be experienced both from the alcove and from the lounge.
Natural planting
A step from the pergola into the lower part of the garden leads to the lawn and the lounge. At the back of the lounge, the half-height wall from the pergola is picked up again and frames the planting. Small pedestals for planters with evergreen ferns also create elegant accents. The airy trees behind the lounge cast pleasant, light shade on the furniture without completely blocking out the afternoon light. A path leads along the edge of the lawn to the house, accompanied by a natural and varied planting of perennials and shrubs.
Award Callwey Verlag
This garden design was named one of the 50 most beautiful gardens of 2018 by German publisher Callwey. Read the full report here.
Planting
Trees
- Acer griseum (cinnamon maple)
- Cladrastris lutea (American yellowwood)
- Cornus kousa ‚China Girl‘ (flowering dogwood)
- Magnolia denundata (Yulan magnolia)
Shrubs
- Abeliophyllum distichum (snow forsythia)
- Amelanchier lamarckii (copper rock pear)
- Berberis buxifolia ‚Nana‘ (Green cushion barberry)
- Hydrangea anomala ssp. petiolaris (climbing hydrangea)
- Magnolia kobus (Magnolia)
- Magnolia liliiflora ‚Nigra‘ (Magnolia)
Climbing plants
- Wisteria sinensis (Chinese Wisteria)
Perennials
- Acanthus mollis (true hogweed)
- Anemone blanda ‚White Star‘ (Anemone)
- Anemone nemorosa (Anemone)
- Aurinia saxatilis ‚Citrina‘ (rock verbena)
- Bergenia ‚Bressingham White‘ (Bergenia)
- Campanula poscharskyana ‚E.H. Frost‘ (hanging bellflower)
- Chiastophyllum oppositifolium (golden droplet)
- Corydalis lutea (Yellow Corydalis)
- Cyclamen hederifolium ‚Perlenteppich‘ ‚Album‘ (ivy-leaved cyclamen)
- Dicentra formosa ‚Ivory Hearts‘ (Dwarf heart flower)
- Epimedium youngianum (x) ‚Niveum‘ (Elfin flower)
- Galium odoratum (woodruff)
- Helleborus orientalis ‚White Lady‘ (Oriental hellebore)
- Hosta ‚Blue Mouse Ears‘ (Funkia)
- Iberis saxatilis (Rock Ribbon Flower)
- Lilium martagon (Turk’s cap)
- Meconopsis cambrica (common poppy)
- Phlox paniculata ‚Younique White‘ (flame flower)
- Platycodon grandiflorus ‚Albus‘ (balloon flower)
- Salvia officinalis ‚Albiflora‘ (true sage)
- Saxifraga cortusifolia (garden autumn saxifrage)
- Thymus praecox (serphyllus) ‚Albiflorus‘ (thyme)
- Trillium luteum (wood lily)
- Vinca minor ‚Alba‘ (small periwinkle)
Grasses
- Asplenium trichomanes (brown-stemmed streaky fern)
- Athyrium niponicum ‚Pictum‘ (rainbow fern)
- Dryopteris erythrosora (red veil fern)
- Matteuccia struthiopteris (ostrich fern)
- Polypodium vulgare (common spotted fern)
Materialisation
- Pergola posts, small walls: Tuff
- Pergola cover construction: wood
- Cover plate walls, posts: Travertine
- Floor slabs, steps: Travertine
- Vessels: Atelier Vierkant
- Fountain: Steel
- Garden path paving: Porphyry
Execution / Horticulture
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