Oudolf is one of the leaders in the ‘New Perennial’ movement
of garden design, and is famed for his naturalistic planting plans, choosing
plants as much for their structure as he does for their colour.
Oudolf’s focus upon the structural characters of a plant –
it’s seed pod shape or it’s leaf – as opposed to a plants colour, was a very
different way to consider garden design, compared to classical or formal
garden design of the past.
“A garden is exciting for me when it looks good through the year, not just at one particular time. I want to go outside and for it to be interesting in all weather, in early spring and late autumn." (Rhythms of Nature: Where Ecology Meets Design: Oudolf, P.)
In particular, I like his work on
The High Line in Manhattan, New York. His naturalistic planting design on what has
been converted from a former train line into a public garden, goes to show how
by simply adding a variety of plants which can stimulate visually throughout
the year, a space can be transformed, both physically and in a cultural sense. He has created a sense of pride in a public space through innovative planting, and that impact cannot be underestimated.
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