Domaine du Ooievaar, Belgium

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 restored 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'Orsan 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 is a riot of colour punctuated with architectural foliage such as Ricinus communis, whilst a mint perfume emanates from the tagetes. The clipped plane trees and the Hydrangea paniculata that border 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.