Nature as a year-round setting
A newly created private garden that feels like it's been thriving for decades
The new owner of a property in the agricultural region of northern Germany had a clear vision for his garden. He wanted complete privacy, a prestigious yet welcoming space, rich botanical variety, and a year-round display of natural beauty framed by the partially glass façade of his home. For landscape architect Christian Kögler, the fact that his client invested such careful attention to the garden even before the house itself was refreshingly uncommon.
The 2,200 m² garden took roughly eighteen months to plan and another eighteen to complete. Almost nothing from the original landscape remained; only a handful of existing plants were preserved and relocated elsewhere. Two botanical treasures from Japan were introduced: a magnificent Honoki magnolia and a 70-year-old Japanese white pine, both shipped overseas and installed on the property. The landscape team sourced 76 mature specimen trees from nurseries and added comprehensive woody plantings, complemented by approximately 10,000 perennials. Remarkably, work on the rear garden began before the house renovation itself, with a 600-tonne crane positioning each tree—the heaviest weighing nearly 9 tonnes. This investment paid handsome dividends. The mature trees create a natural, impenetrable screen while adding depth and structure; within just one year, the garden achieved that coveted sense of timeless maturity. Throughout the seasons, the interplay of native and international plantings creates an ever-changing spectacle: spring and summer burst with abundant blooms, while autumn's rich foliage evokes an Indian summer atmosphere. A 58 m² pond extends to the living room's glass wall, radiating tranquility with its gentle presence. Water appears again as a 16th-century fountain at the terrace's edge, drawing the eye. Together, the expansive terrace, generous lawns, a peaceful seating alcove nestled in nature, and the reflecting pond create an almost effortless harmony—a sense of calm that infuses everyone who enters the garden.
Photography Credits:
Kögler Landscape Architecture
(Published in CUBE Ruhrgebiet 02|21)
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