Silence, Color and Surprises in the Garden - Summer Notes from the Park der Gärten

Hello everyone. This post is a continuation of my previous one where I explored the 2025 garden trends at Park der Gärten in the town of Bad Zwischenahn. I examined the flower beds and the lively, creative designs created by professionals. And by the way a surprise was waiting for me in the park that day, but I will save that story for the end of this post.

Here there is a newly created flower bed. Arranged in a square shape, a path stretches diagonally across it. A sign explains that the bed is made up of plants that prefer sandy soils. It feels like a sand garden, offering colorful diversity in poor soil. The layers beneath are also described: the bottom layer is about 3 cm of compost, topped with around 35 cm of mineral mix made from different types of rock. This mix is commonly used in walkways, terraces or stone paving.

Some of the plants I encountered here also appeared in my first post. But the one that impressed me the most was an unusual blue-headed thistle: Eryngium planum Blue Hobbit. It is compact and low-growing. I had also seen this plant in potted landscape arrangements. It is a perennial species.

Another sign introduces Agastache Beelicious Purple, also called fragrant nettle. I had seen this plant in other places too. Next to it is a plant with an unusual leaf texture, not yet in full bloom. Decorative grasses such as Stipa are also used here.

In this area you can also spot the purple-flowered Verbena bonariensis and Gaura once again. The surface is covered with gravel and pieces of wood. I also took a close look at the path through the center. On both sides, there are more decorative grasses. This bed was created for the first time this year. When I visited in the spring, I had seen workers preparing it.

Fragrant nettle appears again. Although often seen as a weed, its lush green leaves and tall, graceful stems give the garden a natural and pleasing look. It also works well as a background for other plants. A familiar semi-shrub, Perovskia, also stands out here with its silver-green leaves and small lavender-blue flowers.

The white round flowers are Cleome hassleriana. This bed was designed for extended blooming. There are also low-growing Dahlias and Amaranthus caudatus, with long trailing blooms in deep red and burgundy tones. Additional grasses, which will become more noticeable in autumn, have also been planted.

Just as I was about to leave, something urged me to turn left. I am glad I listened. I found a plant I had long wanted to see: Oenothera biennis, or evening primrose. Its yellow flowers open in the evening and attract night butterflies. And then something wonderful happened. I met another flower lover in the park and we quickly became friends. There was laughter, music, conversation. The day ended with a warm and unexpected joy.

Two friends in a garden. Silence and beauty. We sat together and talked about life and about what gardens mean to us.

I hope this day brings you inspiration, kind thoughts and meaningful encounters. May your heart be filled with peace, hope and love. Until next time.