Continuing my tour through Peter Janke's private garden in Germany, that I visited in September this year, I am featuring a garden area that was called The Formal Garden. I personally was very fascinated by that specific part of the garden, because the layout of the beds surrounded by evergreen hedges was indeed formal, but the plantings inside the beds were simply wild in the very best sense and quite unusual.
The image above is my favorite photo of The Formal Garden. This part of Peter Janke's garden was difficult to photograph, because there were either buildings in the background that weren't so pretty or people, who were touring the garden and disturbed the photos. But I feel this shot captured the magical and fascinating atmosphere that lingered in The Formal Garden the best.
This was the first glance that you got right before you entered The Formal Garden. The layout contains an island bed in the center, surrounded by four square beds. Each square bed had the edge facing the center island bed "cut off" and it was replaced by a visually softer half moon shape corner.
To the right and left side of the entrance to The Formal Garden there were two concrete containers placed with very healthy aloes. These guys could have been growing as well in Southern California, where I live.
The very nice lady, who runs the simple cafe at Hortvs, told me that The Formal Garden is planted each year with another theme. This year it had become a Mediteranean garden. I felt a little bit reminded of the Parie Garden Style, that is so very fashionable right now. Even though admittedly I am not a big fan of this garden style, I have to say that I loved the unusual plant compositions in this garden, so let's have a closer look at what plants Peter Janke used here.
There was a lot going on plant-wise in all of the beds.
One combination that I hadn't seen so far is the pairing of what I believe are Castor bean plants (Ricinus communis) with this intensive light blue flowering plant. I assume, that it is a type of salvia, but I am not sure. If anyone can identify this plant, could you please leave a comment and let me know? Thanks!
These little cheerful bloomers look like a plant that is called Santa Barbara Daisy (Erigeron karvinskianus) here in Southern California.
Another of the (almost) square beds in the garden. I love the use of the grasses, the Santa Barbara Daisy, the fennel and the palm in the middle of the bed.
Catmint, a favorite plant of mine, was also used in The Formal Garden.
Another photo of the striking combination between Castor Beans and the blue flowering plant that I love so much.
These plants also reminded me of my own climate.
Close-up of the Castor Bean flowers.
Light and airy blue loveliness.
Also a plant that I don't know the name of, but it was quite interesting.
A very natural planting style!
I really love the center island bed. The old bird bath planted with succulents and the underplanting goes so well together.
Close-up of the top of the bird bath.
I believe this is Chocolate Comos, Cosmos astrosangineus, which were used as underplantings in the island bed.
Here Peter Janke made use of a garden statue, which I believe is a new one, but done in the old style.
Grasses together with aloes and a silver leaved plant. Nice!
I want this blue flowering plant so badly for my own garden!
Shot of another of the square flower beds.
I really think that the plant combinations are quite inspiring!
I was quite smitten by this garden, but can imagine that it is not for everyone. I am curious to hear what you, my dear readers, think about it. I would be happy if you would leave a comment and share your opinion.
In case you are interested to see the first post, that I wrote about Peter Janke's garden, please click here:
HORTVS, the private Garden of Peter Janke, Germany I
Wishing all of you a great week with hopefully lots of good garden weather!
See you in the garden!
Christina
