Design

Drawing by Gertrude Jekyll
Public Domain picture

Based on his experience of designing more than hundred gardens Frank Fritschy is convinced that a good design is inspired by three factors: the commissioner, the house and the landscape.

Arts & Crafts

Undeniable our house had a major influence on the garden. Build in the mid of the nineteenth century and placed in a rural and pastoral environment is was evident that there were only two drafts possible. A design in accordance with these topics or its antithesis. My love for the Arts & Crafts gardens and my search for the ultimate romantic garden, whatever it  be, made this choice easy. Although I don’t like to label garden designs you can call it a mix of a cottage garden and a country house garden. The combination of old-fashioned plants with new breeds preserve this garden becoming a reproduction of a historic garden.

House and Ante Chambre in Spring
Photograph by Frank Fritschy
“Reading the Landscape to writing a Garden”*

Doro working in de wood log shed on a hot sunny day.

Secondary paths should provide a glimpse of the surrounding meadows

Landscape

In my design the landscape dictates the pattern of the paths. The Viller Mühle (the old Mill) has a clear form which contrasts with the background. The Long Border points to this landmark and makes a bold statement in this garden. The use of flower color reinforces the sensation of distance which means that flowers close to the observer will have more powerful colors whereas flowers at the opposite side are more pale.

Design

  • Adjacent Paths should be geometric in concept but paths towards the landscape can be more loosely shaped. Secondary paths should provide a glimpse of the surrounding meadows.
  • For me it is important to have the possibility to stroll around your house. Not only for fun, but also practical, for example to close the blinds in wintertime.
  • It is convienent that the main terrace is easily accessible from the kitchen door and that it is protected for the fierce west wind by means of a shed for logs. In springs most of logs are burned and the shed provides a sheltered place to sit. The house protects the terrace on the west side for cold winds from the east.
  • I designed a winding path to disguise the awkward form at the Westside of the plot. Clumps of Rhododendrons mask the triangular form of this part of the garden.
  • I prefer to make The Entrance quiet and green. Green hedges are screening the exuberant colors of the long border.  Evergreen shrubs are decorating the house.
  • Open spaces contributes to highlight the east and west façade.

*Tal Alon Mozes landscape architect