The garden of a listed merchant villa in Blankenese has undergone a striking metamorphosis. Two streets defined the rigid boundaries of this corner property. Once just lawn and hedgerow—dreary, flowerless, and uninviting—the space needed reinvention. The family enlisted Claudia Schaaf and Beran Gärten to breathe life into what had become an overlooked corner. Their mission: to infuse the neglected plot with vitality and character. Key features were thoughtfully preserved: the historic entrance with its original staircase portal and garden gate, the building's raised terrace, and select walls and hedges. The remaining 670 m² plot would then be redesigned in phases to create something entirely new.

The design concept centers on distinct garden rooms—each with its own purpose, serving both the family and wildlife alike. Layered plantings of mature specimen trees create visual richness: flowering dogwoods and 'Soft Caress' mahonias, varied hydrangeas, rhododendrons, berry plants, and carefully sculpted formal elements including 'Monumentalis' hornbeams and yew bee skeps, espaliered quinces, beech hedging, and gnarled heritage fruit trees. The composition also includes a productive vegetable and fruit garden, a historic well, and a generous seating terrace. Together, these elements create a haven for people, insects, and birds alike—a living sea of blooms. Summer envelops the entire space in intoxicating floral fragrance. Brown-grey planters on the terraces and rooftop gardens blur the boundary between architecture and planting, making the garden feel more abundant and verdantly complete.

To honor the family's vision of diversity and balance the newly created terraces, other areas were deliberately depaved and restored. A 30-year-old plum thorn now anchors the former parking area, surrounded by flowering perennials. Guided by principles of sustainability, the team specified reclaimed grey wacke paving and salvaged granite curbs from Hamburg's streets for all remaining paved surfaces. These recovered materials dialogue beautifully with the villa's protected status. The result: an elegant yet delightfully wild urban garden that complements the historic structure with timeless grace. A true jewel in our vibrant city—the merchant who originally built this villa would surely admire what his garden has become.

www.beran-gaerten.de

Photography:
René Sievert
www.rene-sievert.de

(Published in CUBE Hamburg 01|25)