A dreamlike garden in southeast Munich has flourished across three generations. Though overused, "paradise garden" truly captures its essence. This 2,000 m² private sanctuary is the vision of Annette Tessaro, who inherited it from her great-grandfather, watched her parents nurture it, and now tends it with deep devotion. Over the past twelve years, Tessaro has thoughtfully modernized the space, carefully removing aging specimens and introducing fresh focal points. The result is a vibrant, natural-feeling garden brimming with colour and diversity—nothing feels forced or artificial. In place of the formal flower bed arrangements popular in her parents' era (1960s–1980s), Tessaro has created distinct garden rooms, each with its own character and seasonal rhythm.

What began as her grandparents' small farmstead evolved into her parents' flower-focused design, typical of mid-century garden aesthetics. Today, Tessaro's reimagining goes far beyond beds and borders. Themed zones, productive vegetable gardens, heritage fruit trees, and abundant seating areas—from quiet benches to swinging spots—invite visitors to linger. A central pavilion and conservatory provide shelter from sudden showers, while a thriving greenhouse supplies vegetables year-round. Tessaro describes this transformation, anchored by a new rock garden and perennial beds that bloom continuously from spring through late autumn, as bringing the garden into the modern era.

With help from a master paver, Tessaro created a network of pathways that guide visitors through every corner of the garden. Paved in warm-toned porphyry stone, these routes serve as both a navigational aid and a design element—helping guests find their way while adding visual continuity throughout the landscape.

www.annettetessaro.wixsite.com/annettes-traumgarten

Photography Credits:

Annette Tessaro

(Published in CUBE Munich, Issue 01|22)