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On September 6, 2019, this year’s winners of the European Garden Award by Schloss Dyck Foundation and European Garden Heritage Network were presented at Schloss Dyck, Germany. Les Jardins d'Etretat received the 1st Prize of the EGHN Garden Prize in the category of “Best development of a historic garden or park”. The jury was very impressed by the idea and the design of a garden that captures and uses its historical roots, in particular surroundings and its atmosphere do not only incorporate, but also identify with it and this is also avantgarde in the best horticultural traditions.

Garden ponds are static water ponds and can function together with waterfalls, cascades and fountains. Water is an integral part of the natural landscape and a versatile element that provides for better garden microclimate. Adding a garden pond to your landscape adds color, light and movement and functions as a great recreation area. In order to build a pond in your garden, filter systems, biological water treatment and professional maintenance are necessary. Ponds are artificial water features that come in different sizes and configurations (natural outlines or strict geometry), different water volume and pond area, range of materials.

Garden landscape design is a complex and multi stage process of designing plans for layout and planting of gardens and landscapes. Each garden landscape is designed with its topographical landscape features in mind, as well as desired outcomes. A garden’s location, size and how it will be used have a substantial influence on garden landscape design. All the elements are linked together in a single entity, determining main and secondary points. Elements of garden landscape design establish style and mood and create a desired setting. Garden landscape design can represent a minimalist, sleek and elegant modern look.

Trees and shrubs are usually planted for a long time according to a planting plan. They are considered to be foundation plants, adding volume and framing the outdoor space. Apart from being decorative features, garden shrubs protect the outdoor space from wind, create shade and function as a zoning element as well. Shrubs can be planted in clusters or individually on the lawn, in front of the house or in small gardens. They can become a background for mixborders and flowerbeds with annual and bulbous plants. Ground-hugging shrubs can turn sloppy gardens into an advantage. Stephanandra, willow and cotoneaster are great options.

When all the works in the garden are finished, it’s time to think about garden décor. Garden sculptures, statues, garden gnomes and stone garden ornaments help to add beauty to the outdoor space. Garden décor highlights chosen garden design style, adds beauty and originality. You can choose funny garden gnomes, monumental garden stones, garden statues and sculptures. The main aim here is purely decorative, however garden décor can be functional. For instance, garden figures help to protect the crops, scaring birds away by its appearance.

Knowing how and where to place primary and secondary garden elements is crucial when creating a Japanese garden. Primary garden elements here are stones, water and plants; secondary - bamboo fencing, bridges, bells and ornaments. Such gardens are asymmetrical and natural, contain elements with symbolic meaning. Japanese garden represents two opposite forces - yin (water) and yang (stones). Japanese garden evoke feelings of stillness and security. Garden can be of different sizes, flat or knobby. The main requirement is not to overload the garden with unnecessary elements. Japanese landscape design has deep symbolic meaning.

Choosing flowering shrubs for scent as well as looks doubles the appeal of any outdoor space. Adding beautiful flowering shrubs to mixborders, highlighting important garden elements like patios, decking, entrance areas, stairs and retaining walls are great garden design solutions. When choosing flowering shrubs one of the things to pay attention to is plants decorative features, blooming time and period and, of course, color palettes. You can create various compositions with shrubs blooming at different seasons. Decorative shrub clusters look stunning when certain shrubs start to bloom, while the others have just finished.

Introducing garden pots to your outdoor space is a satisfying and flexible approach to gardening. They are placed at a certain distance from each other, should be sturdy and have appropriate sizes. Garden pots placed pairwise can become decorative objects for entrance areas, stairs and pathways. Pots of light colors spectrum are great options for those garden areas which receive little sunlight, drawing the eye to the planted plants. Flower pots are not only beautiful, they are practical and mobile, allowing for rearrangement. They can remain in the garden even in winter, with plants withstanding sub-zero conditions.

Garden planters are used in landscape design as decorative objects in their own right, enhancing the outdoor space. More often than not we come across with garden areas not suitable for planting: bad soil, lack or excess of water. In order to bring life to such areas planters are introduced. This landscape approach is applicable to gardens of different forms and sizes, as planters can be used both in large and small outdoor spaces. Planters enhance chosen landscape design style and are flexible to be placed in almost any garden areas: patios, house entrance, stairs, decking, pathways and recreation areas.

Water garden is a complex ecosystem, requiring right balance. It consists of water features, different groups of plants and aquatic habitats. Garden pond can be either natural or artificial, with certain amount of given plants species. The amount of plants depends on the volume of water that your pond will accommodate. The plants should perform two functions: apart from being ornamental elements, they should absorb carbon dioxide respired by fish and supply water with oxygen. During winter period plants should be removed to the basement.