My own garden has been evolving continuously since 1977. The first step was to repair and extend the natural stone walls, partly draped in ivy (Hedera helix). Then began the great challenge of creating support structures based on the existing framework. A striking space with old large-leaved lime trees (Tilia platyphyllos), which give the house its name, as well as the historic “kitchen garden” and an existing fluid system of pathways in the south-facing garden formed the basis for the design concept.

The interplay between a shady garden north of the house and a garden to the south was an appealing aspect and clearly full of potential.

The kitchen garden was in a state of neglect. A fence was used to redefine its boundaries. A found fountain bowl was integrated into a stone wall as an attractive accent, narrow box hedges were planted around vegetable patches, while the existing fire pond was converted into a swimming pool for the family. At the centre of the vegetable garden grows an enchantingly scented damask rose (Rosa trigintipetala).

As a central intersection of the existing gravel paths, as if standing on a balcony (overlooking the view from the garden?), the south garden facing the sun contains a huge catalpa tree (Catalpa bignonioides). Taking this as my starting-point, I added a few impressions that picked up on the theme of the sun: the ´Gloire de Dijon´ roses on the reed-grey wall of the house, ´Madame Hardy´ as a companion to a seating area against the house, as well as  ´Buff Beauty´ at the entrance to the kitchen garden. As a counterpoint to the bright beauties, I built an old sandstone enclosure around the historic velvety dark-red fragrant rose, as yet unidentified, but known to the family as the Wolfram rose.

As a backdrop to the south I deliberately introduced plants to create the impression that the garden continued further. I set accents with a small number of pots and containers, whose plants contrasted with and softened the strict composition of the garden. The main entrance, whose gate is situated at the north-east corner of the house, was also accentuated with a frame of climbing hydrangea (Hydrangea petiolaris), its typical growth habit providing a canopy. The south-east corner was dominated by an ancient ivy “tree”, as can be seen in the main picture, whose impressive splendour leaves nothing to add.

Since a historic well existed in each garden area, and in the north garden even took the form of an ornamental fountain with a water feature, it was clear that these should be highlighted. In the kitchen garden this was done with magnificent hollyhocks (Alcea rosea), while the well to the north is today framed by ostrich ferns (Mateuccia struthhiopteris) that pick up on the shadowy depth of the surrounding giant trees. A sunny spot created by one of the giant trees falling down due to age gave me the opportunity to plant a katsura tree, also known as the caramel tree (Cercidiphyllum japonicum), one of my favourite species.

Other gardens: Schlosspark Hornegg, Planetary Garden Eggenberg, Mediterranean Garden, Woodlandgarden