Field of Dreams - The naturalistic gem Hans Gieszen has created in former meadowlands near Utrecht in the Netherlands is the culmination of a lifelong passion
Gardens Illustrated|September 2024
Ever since his mother gave him seeds as a small boy, gardening has been a passion for Hans Gieszen. He is completely self-taught, relying on garden visits and books for instruction, with one book in particular, Dream Plants for the Natural Garden by Henk Gerritsen and Piet Oudolf, influencing his style. “It was fascinating,” says Hans, remembering his first encounter with the book. “All those photos – pictures with mists and these tall and low plants and grasses. I realised I couldn’t do it in my small garden, but I kept dreaming and reading about it.”
By Claire Masset
Field of Dreams - The naturalistic gem Hans Gieszen has created in former meadowlands near Utrecht in the Netherlands is the culmination of a lifelong passion

Ever since his mother gave him seeds as a small boy, gardening has been a passion for Hans Gieszen. He is completely self-taught, relying on garden visits and books for instruction, with one book in particular, Dream Plants for the Natural Garden by Henk Gerritsen and Piet Oudolf, influencing his style. “It was fascinating,” says Hans, remembering his first encounter with the book. “All those photos – pictures with mists and these tall and low plants and grasses. I realised I couldn’t do it in my small garden, but I kept dreaming and reading about it.”

Eventually, in 2011, after creating several small gardens, Hans and his wife Yuxian found the perfect spot for their dream garden: three acres of meadowland near Utrecht in the Netherlands. “After we built the house, we lived there for a year and did nothing. We just observed – the light, the sun, the atmosphere.” By 2012, Hans was ready to embark on his biggest horticultural project yet.

“I started with the front garden, planting groups of perennials. I got the right plants, but the groups were too big, so I made them smaller and little by little it came together. Then I added plants that self-seed. I had read about spontaneous self-seeding. Then I included grasses. And then I realised the next step was to try matrix planting.” Hans was following in the creative footsteps of the celebrated Dutch designer Piet Oudolf, and with every step he took, his garden got better.

The site’s poor, sandy soil was never a barrier to his dreams. “The plants I bought had grown in rich humus. To adjust to their new home, they made deep roots and became tough.” Instead of adding compost or fertiliser, Hans relies on an old-fashioned cutting regime. “I cut down all the plants at the end of February; micro-organisms start to work and the soil gets richer.”

Denne historien er fra September 2024-utgaven av Gardens Illustrated.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra September 2024-utgaven av Gardens Illustrated.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA GARDENS ILLUSTRATEDSe alt
WHY SHOULD I VOLUNTEER?
Gardens Illustrated

WHY SHOULD I VOLUNTEER?

Giving your free time to volunteer in the community or as a mentor can have a big impact, and also benefit you in ways you can't imagine, says John Wyer

time-read
3 mins  |
October 2024
EARTHLY CONCERN
Gardens Illustrated

EARTHLY CONCERN

Weeds, slugs, birds and mice - all are welcome on Birch Farm in Devon, where Joshua Sparkes seeks to respect the local ecosystem and mimic nature in his innovative approach to growing

time-read
4 mins  |
October 2024
Gardening is good for you
Gardens Illustrated

Gardening is good for you

In the first of his new factual column on the benefits of gardening, Dr Richard Claxton uncovers all the evidence-based ways it can help your physical health.

time-read
4 mins  |
October 2024
TANGERINE DREAM
Gardens Illustrated

TANGERINE DREAM

On the edge of one of London's busiest roundabouts, Nigel Dunnett has created exciting combinations of drought-tolerant plants for a roof garden that is as unexpected as it is joyful

time-read
4 mins  |
October 2024
GOOD ENOUGH TO EAT
Gardens Illustrated

GOOD ENOUGH TO EAT

Growing your own edible plants is a great way to boost your gut microbiome. Discover expert picks of edimentals that are both beautiful and beneficial

time-read
3 mins  |
October 2024
Waste not, nice plot
Gardens Illustrated

Waste not, nice plot

Designer Miria Harris gave herself the challenge of a no-skip, zero-waste project, giving away, recycling or reusing everything in this back garden before transforming it into a space her client could love

time-read
4 mins  |
October 2024
One for all
Gardens Illustrated

One for all

A new community garden designed by Sarah Price around an old library turned arts centre in southeast London is a treasured space for local residents and garden lovers alike

time-read
4 mins  |
October 2024
Meet our horticultural HEROES
Gardens Illustrated

Meet our horticultural HEROES

Discover the stories of the extraordinary garden champions who are making a difference to places, people, plants and the planet

time-read
10+ mins  |
October 2024
SHARE AND SHARE ALIKE
Gardens Illustrated

SHARE AND SHARE ALIKE

In the culinary world, chefs and food writers sometimes closely guard their recipes, says Nigel Slater. Among gardeners, however, there is a refreshing spirit of generosity

time-read
3 mins  |
October 2024
Autumn at Sissinghurst
Gardens Illustrated

Autumn at Sissinghurst

As the garden slips into a new season, head gardener Troy Scott Smith and his team are busy with tasks from hedge cutting and lawn work to bulb planting and sowing seeds.

time-read
2 mins  |
October 2024