The Domaine du Ooievaar

The Domaine du Ooievaar is located in West Flanders, Belgium. Geertrui and Olivier bought the derelict farmhouse and its land, almost 5 acres, in 1997. They restores the house and its outbuildings beautifully and created a series of outside rooms, inspired by the gardens they had visited, such as the Jardin de Vasterival and the Prieuré d'orson in France, Great Dixter in Britain. These rooms include a natural pool, an exotic border, an orchard, a kitchen garden with a vintage glasshouse. They wanted to keep the garden opened towards the surrounding landscape, as well as providing interest all year round. In early Autumn, the dahlia border isa riot of colour punctuated with architectural foliage such as Ricinus communist, whilst a mint perfume emanates from the tagetes. The clipped plane trees and the Hydrangea paniclulata that borde the orchard have been underplanted with naturalised cyclamen, creating a beautiful carpet where the visitor is even able to see the first snowdrops of Olivier's collection.