Elke Schwender

Travelling through the rural areas of north-west Germany, one frequently encounters farmsteads with impressive old trees. Long avenues often accompany the access roads to their farms. It is not uncommon to find orchards with old apple and pear trees in the immediate vicinity. Ornamental shrubs such as stately magnolias and rhododendrons blossom close to the house. But when were these historical gardens of the peasant upper class laid out? Who planned the representative flower and kitchen gardens and which design elements were popular? Which roses, perennials, shrubs and fruit tree varieties were preferred? The authors answer these diverse questions in a vivid way. 45 selected gardens of the region were visited, researched and documented to gain a deeper insight into the design and changes over the course of past times. Come with us to useful and beautiful gardens in Northwest Germany - for "pure pleasure"!