Hi GPODers!
A couple weeks ago we went on a wonderful trip to the Netherlands thanks to Kielian DeWitt (check out those posts here: GPOD on the Road: Kielian in the Netherlands and Keukenhof Garden Park). Kielian showed us the garden culture of the Netherlands from a tourist’s perspective, but today we get to see how the locals garden! Ramon Smit lives in Gouda, the Netherlands, but he takes inspiration from Japanese garden design. The result is a lush, tranquil, and colorful space in a city brimming with history . . . and cheese!
*Edit: A helpful commenter below reminded me that Ramon has a Facebook page where he shares great updates from his garden, including some incredible underwater videos of aquatic plants and animals in his small stream. Be sure to check that out here: Ramon’s Garden
My Name is Ramon Smit, and I live in Gouda 🧀, the Netherlands. This year, my garden is 20 years old . . . I started the design in spring 2005. My garden is Japanese style; I tried to make it really authentic with a low budget, and I did all the work myself (with some help here and there carrying the heavy things in).
The garden is behind a 1930s brick house built on peat soil that is 6.5 meters [about 21.5 feet) below sea level and with groundwater levels at 50 centimeters [about 20 inches] below the surface. It is full of azalea, ophiopogon, junipers, mugo pine, almond trees, and lots of natural moss and ferns. All the niwaki (or cloud trees) I shaped myself: taxus, cedar, birch, ginkgo, and Japanese maples.
Because I didn’t have the budget to completely build it all at once, we spread it over the years . . . an old house needs maintenance too. 😉
I studied to be a gardener but never got a degree in it . . . this is pure amateur gardening.
I hope you enjoy my pictures.
The centerpiece of Ramon’s garden is this incredible pond that branches off into a small stream. Water elements are often included in Japanese designs for a multitude of reasons but mainly for their ability to create calm introspection. A still surface provides a spot for reflection, and waterfalls emit soothing sounds.
Thoughtfully placing rocks and greenery around the pond gives it that naturalistic feel.
In spring, Ramon’s garden is ablaze with pops of bright pink azaleas dotted throughout all the lush greenery.
And I absolutely adore the meandering path that leads you through the garden. Stones of all shapes and sizes create lovely patterns that mimic the diverse shapes in Ramon’s plantings.
The amount of interest Ramon has crafted and cultivated in his garden is absolutely astounding. The amount of work it took to create this space single-handedly is hard to imagine, but the result is a true personal paradise.
Thank you so much for this glorious tour of your spring garden, Ramon! All that hard work absolutely paid off, and you’ve created a true oasis in your city.
We’ve been getting a little influx of international gardens, and I hope I speak for all GPODers when I say it’s been amazing. North America provides plenty of diversity in landscapes and climates, but there is something truly special about seeing gardens from all over the world. No matter where you garden, consider sharing your space with Garden Photo of the Day! Follow the directions below to submit photos via email, or send me a DM on Instagram: @agirlherdogandtheroad.
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Comments
I just love this garden. Ramon has a Facebook page named Ramons Garden that he updates occasionally.
Thanks 😊
Absolutely gorgeous, Ramon!!
You say you're an amateur gardener but these photos prove that not to be true. This is absolutely stunning - your hard work and dedication have certainly paid off in this beautiful garden. Bravo!!
Thank you so much 😊
Wonderlik mooi.
Honestly I so often feel disappointed with peoples attempts at Japanese Garden style- but yours is so inviting and lush and so well groomed- so impressive I've never seen a Japanese Garden done so beautifully as yours! It is pure perfection! Excellent job!
Thank you so much Sue 😊
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