The work of Piet Oudolf is known to perennial enthusiasts around the world.  A leading authority on garden design and especially the use of perennials, Oudolf’s stunning garden creations are enjoyed by millions and provide inspiration to both professional and amateur garden designers everywhere.

Most of Oudolf’s clients are in the United Kingdom, which Oudolf considers to be “the heart of the horticultural world.”    There, the transformation of private spaces into public gardens has resulted not only in many high-profile projects, but also a keen audience truly appreciative of his horticultural genius.  His talents were officially recognized last year when Oudolf was awarded the prestigious Gold Veitch Memorial Award, the highest honour bestowed by the Royal Horticultural Society.

Oudolf’s biggest career challenge came when he was asked to design and oversee the planting of the Gardens of Remembrance at New York’s Battery Park.  Here, the objective was not only to honour those who perished on September 11, 2001, but also to bring a renewed sense of optimism and hope to the survivors, visitors and future generations.

Keenly aware of the enormity of this responsibility, Oudolf faced numerous practical challenges as well.  Besides it size and overall scope, city officials predicted that Battery Park would receive a staggering five million visitors per year. 

From a horticulturist’s perspective, one of the biggest considerations in the design of these 500,000 square feet of promenade-style gardens was the large diversity of growing conditions, combined with his own vision of creating a different theme in each distinct area.  And finally, there was the challenge of the 3,000 miles of Atlantic ocean that separated his own home and horticultural paradise from the project site.   

The gardens of Piet and Anja Oudolf, serve as an eclectic mix of trial garden, retail garden centre and private garden space.  Here, Anja serves enthusiastic customers from across Europe, primarily avid gardeners looking to find that “special something” they know they will not be able to find at their neighbourhood garden centre.  Here is also where Piet first tries the many combinations of grasses and perennials that have become his trademark.  Most are successful and meet or even surpass his expectations, but occasionally they are a disappointment, admits Oudolf.

Oudolf is always on site to supervise the planting stage of any project.  What works on paper does not always translate into reality and slight modifications are always necessary, he notes. 

The Gardens of Remembrance have a huge influence on Battery Park and are a fitting tribute.  “Optimism is the overall theme of the garden, and perennials in inspiring combinations are the ideal way to bring optimism back to the people of New York and America,” says Oudolf.