Heidrun’s Garden

Towards the west, the garden becomes narrower, an archway covered with the Immensee rose and honeysuckle opens onto the road. On the shady slope side rhododendrum, azalaeas punctuated with the delicate arching branches of white spireas make this a highlight in May to be succeeded by hydrangeas later in summer. Two very tall pine trees throw their shade in late afternoon, their trunks covered in ivy and a climbing white hydrangea, its leaves turning bright yellow in the fall. From there a path leads up to the top level, bordered by bluebells, hostas, and saxifraga in spring, dark blue geraniums in summer and white lysimachia in the fall. A narrow piece of lawn follows the length of the house, flanked by an old stone wall towards the slope. Variegated plants - weigelias and hostas - as well as a light pink New Dawn and a white rugosa rose lighten the dark of the hedge closing out the road above us. Further shade loving plants like helleborus, epimedium, cimcifuga and white geraniums give the bed a different appearance throughout the seasons.

The concept that something is always in flower applies to the entire garden. From the snowdrops, the deliciously scented lonicera and virburnum bushes in early spring to the peonies, the almost 200 roses and 30 clematis to the asters in fall, there is always a flower to please the eye. Emphasis has been placed on a natural harmony - 'as if the plants have chosen to live there' - which they often do anyway. Even though the plantings vary in character, they melt into each other giving the garden a natural flow.
 

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