Garden Design in Art Nouveau

The first half of the 20th century saw the birth of a novel approach to design theory. Instead of the rigidity of historical styles, the movement following historicism aimed to design buildings with function in mind. Parallel to, and as a consequence of this shift in architecture, garden design also went through significant transformation. As opposed to the 'collection' gardens of the 19th century, where specimens were grouped next to one another, without any attempt at overall composition, the new trend created gardens in harmony with the buildings they surrounded, as outdoor continuations of the interior. Treatment of shapes and spaces came to comply with architecture, and reflected artistic intentions.Initially architectural motives affected the flora overbearingly; treating it as mere mass, partition walls or just colour. However this approach was met with heated resistance by the gardeners of the time, and the ensuing works and literary debates formed landscaping as we know it today. Such a method, while minding spatial relations between elements, embraces the beauty of natural shapes as well. It foc uses on how people and gardens, people and nature relate; society reflected in the garden; and, last but not least, the functional value and use of the garden.

Reference: Imre Ormos : the History and Practice of Garden Design (1967)

Art Nouveau in my Garden

Our garden designs can be regarded as play with form inspired by Art Nouveau. Employing the typical features – decoration, stylization, vivid colours-, relying on certain motifs they aspire to summon the atmosphere of the style. A garden detail is shaped by the adaptation of the selected motif, with view to practicability and sustainability.

Designs are suitable for three gardens of different size and function: a pot garden, a front garden, and a garden for resting. Their mood and arrangement differ accordingly.

They serve as examples, feel free to diverge and be creative. The designing method employed in our plans can be used to implant any motif and reshape any section of your garden.

Apart from ideas on layout, our designs contain practical info on the gardens, the plants and materials required, the specific steps to be followed.

We suggest two alternative paths in the selection of plants; perennials are recommended for longer-lasting arrangements, while annuals are suitable for one season. Perennials, though appealing after planting, reveal their full potential in the second year, and maintain it for 5 years, after which division becomes necessary. Annuals show their splendour in a few weeks, and bloom until early autumn. Their life-span is one year, after which replanting or redesigning of the spot may ensue. Concerning appearance perennials are more discreet, provide a more natural effect, whereas annuals display brighter colours and serve as more striking elements. The numbers indicated on the plant list refer to 0.9 x 0.9 m plants. In case of differing sizes the distance between plants needs to be altered proportionately.

original lawn

plant 5.

plant 4.

plant 3.

plant 2.

plant 1.

steel ball

basalt gravel

existing path

scale

1 2 3 4 5m

Plants: Quantity: Perennials: 1. Aubrieta ’Cascade Purpur’ - Rock Cress 26 pieces 2. Festuca glauca - Blue Fesceu 14 pieces 3. Geranium sanguineum ’Max Frei’ - Cranesbill 26 pieces 4. Lavandula angustifolia ’Hidcote’ - English Levander 45 pieces 5. Salvia officinalis ’Purpurascens’ - Purple Sage 42 pieces

Annuals (alternative): 1. Zinnia ’Profusion Cherry’ - Creeping Zinnia 44 pieces 2. Pennisetum villosum - Villous Fountaingrass 14 pieces 3. Zinnia ’Magellan Persian Carpet Mix’ - Zinnia 85 pieces 4. Althernanthera ’Purple Knight’ - Brazilian Joyweed 75 pieces 5. Cleome spinosa - Spider Flower 64 pieces

OtheOther Materials:

compost 3 m3 lawn edging 52 m basalt gravel 0.6 m3

steel ball decoration (D=15 cm) 18 pieces

setting balls decoration

spread out basalt gravel

install lawn edging to keep desired shape

water

remove lawn

plant

use compost for soil upgrading

dig holes for plants

trace out the form of the planting

2. optional

3.

1.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

Steps of ConstructionGeneral InformationPlan of Sample Garden

Legend

Materials

design: Czakó Márta, Pápai Veronika

ART NOUVEAU IN MY GARDEN 2.

T he second sample garden is suitable for f ront gardens; it is arranged symmetrically around a garden path, displaying geometrical shapes. Plants conjuring up the colours of

Ar t Nouveau are f ramed by a dark grey basalt gravel par terre. Steel balls placed in the composition add a unique touch.

Model: Miksa Róth – stained glass design

Perennials:

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Annuals:

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.