Kontich Garden, near Antwerp from Pg 156 of Paradise Transformed. "Oxygenating plants keep the canals of the Kontich Garden free of algae invasion."
"When I am designing, my aim is to create tension and then gradually proceed into quiet." Jacques Wirtz, from Influential Gardeners, Pg 131
From wikipaedia, "he has been compared with Andre Le Notre, William Kent and Lancelot "Capability" Brown." In his obituary in The Architectural Digest, by Mitchell Owens. 24 July 2018 "sculptural trees and hedges" are attributed to Wirtz but also a Japanese influence "okarikomi, the Japanese technique of packing and shaping evergreen shrubs into waves or clouds."
Kontich Garden, near Antwerp, shown above "is classic Wirtz, in which he uses hornbeam as the main hedging plant, creating a series of enclosures. The hedges disguise the awkward shape of the site, and movement is encouraged along axial views. A long reflective canal provides a space for displaying tall, elegant reeds against water, lawn and hedge," from Pgs 131-132 of
Influential Gardeners, The Designers Who Shaped 20th-Century Garden Style by Andrew Wilson, Publ Mitchell Beazley 2002." He "designed his first garden in 1949," and "grew up in Antwerp, Belgium." "Studied horticulture (in Vilvoorde) and developed his interest in plants through maintenance work." Music is one of his influences which brings to "mind the peacefulness that pervades his work. Still reflective pools, tall, clipped screening hedges, and smooth lawns create calm, timeless imagery in his commissions." "Wirtz feels that the structure provided by his hedges enables his gardens to work just as well in Winter as in Summer, a factor that sets them apart." ". . . he prefers to use a restricted planting palette, this decision hides a lifelong interest in and love for planting." "The campus at Antwerp University and the Tuileries gardens in Paris, are Wirtz's favourites of his works." In addition to liking the Kontich Garden for peaceful waterway and structured topiary, I also like La Petite Garenne at Schoten. The beautiful snow covered photo below showcases it beautifully. It seems intricate and refined and has a pleasing symmetry. Beautifully shaped topiary and unusually shaped lake. Lots of useful touches such as growing structures amongst the ornate. Shrubs, trees and raised box in steps up at perimeter give it a 3D effect. (much more interesting than a flat landscape).
Photo above is La Petite Garenne at Schoten, Belgium, from Pg 162 of Paradise Transformed, The Private Garden for the Twenty-first Century by Guy Cooper and Gordon Taylor, Publ by The Monacelli Press, 1996. He is discussed under the heading of Tradition.
A quote of his published in The New York Times on his obituary said, "A garden that is not beautiful in Winter is not a beautiful garden." (Inge Njis). It said that he had redesigned the Carrousel Garden, which links the Louvre to the Tuileries, and also the gardens of the Elysee Palace," (home of French Presidents). Encyclopaedia Britannica cites his most significant (UK) work as Jubilee Park at Canary Wharf, London, 2002 and the 12 acre walled garden at Alnwick castle in Northumberland during most of first decade of 21st century. Wirtz International is now run by one of his sons.
Comments
Post a Comment