Planting Design 2013 Working Group 4 - Case Study C

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Please add the title of your case study here, adjust the map coordinates and replace the moa image with a characteristic image of your site

Name	landscape vieuw in botanical park
Location	Hemelrijk
Country	Belgium
Authors	Matthieu Mehuys

Rationale: Why is this case interesting?

I chose this image because I have done an internship in this botanical park. We cleaned up the woods by pruning this rare trees, giving a beautiful result with sights through the woods. This park is an arboretum because there are a lot of rare species from all over the world chosen by there characteristic features. Some of these beautiful plants can not be planted anymore because they are not indigenous although they are not invasive.

Author's perspective

This landscape park can be seen in 2 ways: - a botanist: that sees all the different and rear species in it's beautiful natural appearance. - a landscape architect: that sees the well thought form of the park with all beautiful views.

Landscape and/or urban context of your case

• This 110 hectares private park was created in the 70' on former grassland by world know botanists Robert and Jelena De Belder.

Analytical drawings

Please add four analytical sketches/drawings (or montages/schemes) of your case and take the following aspects into account:

• 'While creating this park there were two main visions. The diversity in plants is one. That is why the park is one of the biggest collections in trees and shrubs from all over the world in Belgium. All the trees and shrubs are seedlings and during the their life time pruning is also as little as possible. This makes the forms of the plants much more diverse, attractive and natural. The combination of this two insights results in a beautiful botanical park. On the other hand, they didn't want the park to be a museum of trees. So the form and appearance of the hole park was always more important than collecting trees and shrubs.

• The site is a very dynamic place. Because of all the different species, it is an all year round experience, there is always something new to see. Jelena De Belder once wrote the book 'Life starts in autumn'. Autumn is a blast of colors in the park. She is also the creator of many witch hazels (Hammamelis x intermedia) that bloom in winter.

• This is a high potential park with historical values. There is a lot to learn about plants and landscape principles. The big issue is maintenance. During the years there where plantings of invasive species that are taking over the native or non-invasive plants.

• Analytical Drawings
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  analytical drawing 1

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  analytical drawing 2

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  analytical drawing 3

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  analytical drawing 4

Projective drawings

• Please add four projective sketches/drawings (or montages/schemes) for your case and take the following aspects into account:
  • In the near future the problem of the invasive plants needs to be solved, otherwise many high value plants can be lost.
  • Where plants died because of age or other reason, new hardy species need to be planted. Low hanging brands need to be pruned to prevent them of tearing of and leaving big woonds. This all needs to be done with the 2 visions in mind. The park can be opened for public after reservation in order to prevent vandalism.

• Projective Drawings
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  projective drawing 1

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  projective drawing 2

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  projective drawing 4

Summary and conclusion

This is a park with high values and many potentials that needs to be maintained in the double vision of the creators. Plants can be seen as a remarkable specie although they form a bigger entity of a well formed and thoughtful landscape park. Landscape principles issued in the park need to be investigated by field work and by going through old plans. After the investigation the principles need to be restored and maintained.

Image Gallery

You may add a series of images/photos in addition to the sketches/drawings

• Image Gallery
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References

a publication about the park in The New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/01/style/tmagazine/04well.belgarden.t.html?n=Top%2FReference%2FTimes%20Topics%2FSubjects%2FG%2FGardens%20and%20Gardening&_r=0

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