Piet Oudolf , the illustrious Dutch garden designer , has transformed modern repeated gardening with his naturalistic feeler .
His gardens , such as the High Line in New York , the Lurie Garden in Chicago , and the Vlinderhof Garden in the Netherlands , show window drift of resilient , structural plants that provide interest throughout the twelvemonth .
His influence extend across Europe , with notable project including Hauser & Wirth Somerset in the UK and Maximilianpark in Germany . Oudolf has also collaborated extensively with British plantsman and writer Noel Kingsbury , helping to refine and popularise his signature style .
Oudolf ’s philosophy emphasises seasonality , plant anatomical structure , and biodiversity .
If you want to make a repeated garden in his expressive style , you need to focalise on flora natural selection , layout , and a blueprint that embraces nature ’s rhythms .
Note : I have used AI to reckon these range in the Oudolf style .
Understanding Piet Oudolf’s Design Principles
Oudolf ’s garden are often key out as gaga , yet every planting decisiveness is designed . He follows key design principle that set his employment aside from traditional perennial borders .
1. Structure and Form Over Flowers
While bloom are important , Oudolf prioritise the shape and texture of plant over momentaneous blooms . His designs emphasise seed read/write head , grass , and perennial with impregnable forms that keep ocular interest long after flowering . Plants such asEchinacea purpurea(coneflower ) andEryngium giganteum(sea holly ) have bold silhouettes that digest out even in wintertime .
2. Seasonal Interest
Oudolf designs for all seasons . fountain and summer provide vivacious colours , while autumn brings warm tones as Gunter Grass turn golden . In wintertime , the skeletal stiff of perennials tote up grain , capture icing and snow beautifully . Miscanthus sinensis(maiden gage ) andSedum ‘ Autumn Joy’are classic choices that bid year - round of drinks appeal .
3. Naturalistic Planting
Rather than stiffly integrated beds , Oudolf’sgardens mimic nature with flow drifts of plant . He layer mintage , ensuring ground binding , mid - height perennials , and taller structural plants all trifle a purpose . This results in a balanced , dynamic garden that feels organic .
4. Mass Planting and Repetition
Repeating industrial plant species across a garden creates harmony . Oudolf uses trend of the same species to form a cohesive tapestry . He also plant in blocks rather than mix individual specimens randomly , ensuring a signified of round and apparent motion .
5. Biodiversity and Resilience
Oudolf’sgardens attract pollinators and wildlife by incorporating plantsthat are beneficial to louse and chick . Many of his preferred species are drought - resistant and require minimum maintenance once establish . Achillea millefolium(yarrow ) andSalvia nemorosaare fantabulous pick for supporting biodiversity .
Selecting the Right Plants
Oudolf carefully select plants that thrive in their surround while maintaining beauty throughout the seasons . His plant choices fall into different category establish on their occasion in the garden .
1. Structural Plants (Framework of the Garden)
These plant allow architectural interest , standing tall even in winter . They imprint the backbone of the garden .
2. Grasses (Texture and Movement)
Grass are indispensable in Oudolf ’s designs , summate mildness , movement , and seasonal change .
3. Filler Plants (Supporting the Main Structure)
These plants waver between structural plant life and grasses , mince the composition .
4. Seasonal Highlights (Changing the Mood of the Garden)
These flora contribute bursts of colour or texture at different times of the year .
Designing and Planting Your Piet Oudolf-Style Garden
1. Planning the Layout
Before planting , make a rough sketch of your blank . think the summit and ranch of each plant to ensure a natural flow . Place taller structural plants towards the back ( or centrally in an island bed ) and layer intermediate - height fillers and grasses in front . primer cover plants can aid suppressweedsand create a seamless transition between big species .
2. Creating a Natural Look
3. Preparing the Soil and Planting
Most perennials and smoke flourish in well - drainingsoil . Oudolf prefer plant life that instal deep ascendant systems , reducing the need for watering . Before engraft :
4. Maintenance and Long-Term Care
One of the benefits of an Oudolf - way garden is its humble maintenance . However , some upkeep is necessary to keep it looking its best .
5. Letting Nature Take the Lead
Oudolf ’s philosophy bosom imperfection and the passing of prison term . Unlike traditional garden that necessitate precise pruning and rigid dominance , his approach admit plants to self - cum and change with the seasons . Over time , your garden will acquire , create a aliveness , breathing landscape painting that adapts to its surroundings .
Conclusion
Creating a perennial garden inPiet Oudolf’sstyle is about more than just choosing beautiful plants ; it ’s about designing a landscape painting that celebrate nature ’s cycle . By focusing on plant structure , seasonality , and biodiversity , you could build a resilient and visually striking garden that alter throughout the year .
Oudolf ’s principles can be adapted to accommodate your demand , whatever size of garden you have . With careful planning , the ripe plant choices , and an appreciation for nature ’s unfounded beauty , you’re able to craft a garden that is both inspiring and sustainable .
Other Perennial Garden Design Resources
4 sensational and inspirational recurrent garden designs
Modern recurrent garden pattern inspiration
Piet Oudolf
Noel Kingsbury
Martin Cole has been an greedy plant devotee and nurseryman for more than 20 year and loves to blab and write about gardening . In 2006 he was a finalist in the BBC Gardener of the Year competition . He is a phallus of the National dahlia Society .
He previously lived in London and Sydney , Australia , where he take a diploma course in Horticultural study and is now base in North Berwick in Scotland . He plant GardeningStepbyStep.com in 2012 . The website is take at everybody who hump flora or has been seize with teeth by the horticulture microbe and want to know more .
garden Step by Step has beencited by Thompson and Morgan , the UK ’s heavy mail order plant retail merchant , as a site that publishes expert horticulture content .
