Zwischen Fernost und Mittelmeer

摘要

Although the Dutch gardening tradition is seldom discussed in books on garden design, the country is known for its love for plants and adept-ness at horticulture. This propensity is demonstrated to the present day by efforts in which plants are used to bring nature and garden design together in the relaxed, undog-matic way so typical of the Dutch. The garden at the home of garden designer and artist Han Nijo in Bemelen is an apt example of this approach, being full of apparently haphazard vegetation and paths that do not seem to lead anywhere. Hedges give way onto banks of vegetation, distinctions are blurred, and there is no orderly division of space. Far Eastern touches are to be found here and there, and the garden as a whole combines various influences and unites them into a highly individual style. Nijo's intention is to create a place of peace, and thus there are no luxuriant herbaceous borders or exorbitant bushes, but rather an agglomeration of individual plants that merge to form an overall impression. The garden, which is open on weekends, can teach much about love of experimentation, and is also an excellent example of the use of plants as a means of creating transparency while leaving room for secrets.%Besuche in italienischen oder englischen Gärten bieten zwar noch Neues, aber wenig wirklich Überraschendes. Anders in Holland: Dort folgen Gartenplaner und Gärtner weniger klar ablesbaren Gesetzen - und stellen Besucher vor ungewohnte Bilder und sich selbst immer wieder vor neue Aufgaben. Ein Beispiel: der Garten von Han Nijo in Bemelen.