 |
| "Right this way folks" Stecky the Mascot will help us learn all about IGA 2017 |
So it's almost a month since we got back from our 3rd Eurotrip and I thought it was high time I get my blogging butt into gear. It certainly is a tough life travelling, but one of the many perks of having a European girlfriend.
This time round we were in Berlin for the start of Summer, though the weather at times didn't want to play nice, but it's hard not to love Berlin. This time around we based our Berlin travels around the IGA Berlin 2017 - "what's a IGA Berlin 2017?" I hear you say, well read on and let's find out.
Now to us Australian's IGA is a supermarket, why would I be excited about going to see groceries? And who would be selling tickets to that? No, silly, the IGA is the Internationale Gartenausstellung, an international garden exhibition held at Garten der Welt in Marzahn, Berlin from the 13th of April to the 15th of October 2017 - a hundred days celebrating "an ocean of colour" which is the motto for the event and as you'll see below, it was brought to life in the form of plants.
 |
| "You are here... somewhere" |
This wasn't my first trip to Garten der Welt, on our last holiday to Berlin in May last year we stopped in to have a look around. I was very impressed as it is a very well looked after and designed park, displaying garden styles from around the world, collections include Asian, Mediterranean and English gardens. Garten der Welt is within the Erholungspark which totals 250 acres.
In 1987 the park was chosen to hold the horticultural expo know as Gartenschau that commemorated Berlin's 750th birthday. Flash forward 30 years and the site is now in full swing showcasing the IGA 2017.
The original site for the IGA was the former Berlin airport Tempelhof, but in September 2012 the venue was moved to the Garten der Welt. This move saw an additional 15 hectares purchased for the development & construction of future garden displays, which began in 2014. Over 500 designers and contractors were involved in the project that had a budget of approximately 130 million euros.
Our trip to IGA took place on June 24th, an overcast day but very suitable for us all to enjoy what lie ahead. A park & ride system took us from the car park to the venue and within no time we were inside - the first question, where to first? The program & map helped give us our bearings, as much had changed since our last visit. I was getting excited to see both old and new gardens.
My senses were going into overdrive, so many sights and smells. From the main entrance my intuition told me to turn to the right, towards the newly created display gardens, it might have been the pull of the Australian Natives but our first stop was "Cultivated by Fire" an Australian landscape garden design by the creative team at T.C.L. from Melbourne.
 |
| Blackened poles symbolise fire stick farming |
 |
| The colour and the shape - mass planted Ptilotus exaltatus 'Joey' |
 |
| United colours of Australia - Banksia underplanted with Chrysocephalum & Scaevola |
The garden is inspired by how the Australian aborigines and their ancestors used and managed the landscape with fire. You are almost always guaranteed to run into Aussie's overseas! The garden is accented with mass planting's of shrubs and ground covers to show off form and texture. The Eucalyptus (Gums), Acacia's (Wattles) and Xanthorrhoea (Grass Trees) give focal points throughout the design.
Moving right along, the next few gardens had a heavy Asian and Oriental influence, based on famous design principles from architects in those regions. The lineal use of bamboo gave boundaries and framed the design and directed "traffic" while the use of sculptures gave focus and the use of water created a calming effect, displaying the flow of energy and life.
 |
| Beware the Panda's! |
 |
| Don't go chasing waterfalls |
 |
| "Garden of the Mind" took inspiration from the southern islands of Thailand. |
 |
| Waterlilies are are great statement for a garden pond |
Probably the most memorable garden design, after the Aussie contribution, was the artificial 'Los Angeles Garden' by Germany's Martin Kaltwasser. The 'garden' is a detailed replica of the miniature garden 'island' at Bergamot Station car park in Santa Monica. The fake palms, fenced off asphalt playground almost perfectly mirrors real life.
 |
| Fake news? No just fake palms - the 'Los Angeles Gardens' |
Martin adequately displays his idea of how the automobile and the roads that they travel upon has almost explicitly displaced nature in this piece and got a few laughs and smiles from those who strolled by to have a look. Who said German's don't have a sense of humor.
After our jaunt through the newly added international gardens we hopped on the purpose built cable cars, that run from one side of the park to the other, it's a great way to travel through the gardens and gives you an amazing view of the layout.
 |
| The view from our cable car |
 |
| Cable Cars in action |
There are three cable car stations throughout Garten der Welt, we started on the east (main entrance side) and headed west, towards the mid-way point, the viewing platform know as Wolkenhain.
 |
| Der Wolkenhain or Clouds Grove viewing platform |
 |
| The Wolkenhain view |
On top of these tiered gardens were displays showcasing sustainable gardening, horticultural and landscaping practices. Generally this southern part of the gardens was an educational precinct, giving visitors the chance to learn about environmentally practices and implement ideas at home through practical educational information and demonstrations.
After a well earned lunch break to rest and recharge the batteries it was onto the Blumenhalle (Flower Hall) to check out the plant displays and new varieties released for the IGA this year. There was an amazing array of plants on show, amazing flower colour, different foliage form with striking architectural shapes and textures arranged with eye catching detail. You really got a sense of the passion of the people that created such displays.
 |
| Fagus sylvatica purpurea pendula swamped by Hydrangea's |
 |
| Purple and White equals bright! |
 |
| Many green walls were on display, demonstrating what you can do to brighten up vertical spaces |
 |
| The apple 'step over' (horizontal cordon) is an initiative way to grow fruit in small or linear gardens |
There was so much flower, foliage, colour and shape to draw my attention, I couldn't possible take it all in, but I did take many pictures. At this point we had already been there for several hours but I felt like I hadn't seen enough! So before it was time to leave I did a quick walk around to see some of the newer attractions especially constructed for the IGA.
My inner child just had to check out "Konrad reitet in die Suedsee", a play area inspired by the book The 35th of May, or Konrad's Ride to the South Sea by Erich Kaestner. The book shows gardens as wonderful places, full of fun and adventure. The designers and builders who brought this playground to life certainly hit the nail on the head. In fact, Konrad's Ride to the South Sea is the biggest water play park in Berlin, I know my two girls would love it here.
 |
| Having a whale of a time! |
My final stroll took me past many gardens beds of wonderfully bright flowers, plants of many sizes and shapes back towards the entrance where my German family were waiting (patiently) for me. A staggering 1,500 trees, 6,000 roses, 35,000 perennials and 3000,000 bulbs were newly planted for IGA 2017.
 |
| Mass planting equals mass appeal |
An estimated 2 million people will visit IGA during the 186 days it's open and the one thing I noticed was the love of gardens and gardening by Germans, they, like many Europeans, really do enjoy their time outdoors and the summer months certainly lifts the mood and inspires you to venture outdoors. It's a good thing after IGA is finished around 85% of the newly created gardens and amenities will remain in place.
I guess summer and sun is a premium for a lot of European countries and they make the best of it while they have it, by tending to and brightening their lives through plants and gardening- even balconies and window sills are adorned with potted plants and planter boxes displaying seasonal colour.
I really enjoyed the IGA, I wish I had more time to just wander aimlessly. It's crazy how excited I get when I'm in parks and gardens or visiting garden exhibitions or displays, it really makes me feel like a kid - I guess it's in my blood. So if your currently anywhere near Berlin you should definitely check it out, you've only got another 72 days! If you can't make it I hope my blog has given you a little insight into the IGA 2017. You can find out more here if you're still thirsty for more.
No comments:
Post a Comment