how a desolate garden in Paris became a dream of greenery

Even at the foot of a beautiful mansion, a garden can be annoying. “When we arrived, it was an empire of desolation: cobblestones and synthetic grass , explains Pierre-Alexandre Risser, from Horticulture and Gardens. Its landscapers therefore set about creating a real cocoon of greenery in the heart of Paris, but in which we do not feel the limits of the enclosure. The space is in fact “only” 150 m2.

The concrete path is removed to make way for a lawn. The large veranda will now provide a real lawn surrounded by perennial plants. “It wasn’t easy because the garden doesn’t get a lot of light. Grass is very difficult to grow in Paris. However, it is a space that is generally highly requested by our customers, particularly by men!” explains the gardener.

Mirrors on the walls

Near the building, a terrace made of natural stone tiles is installed. At the bottom, a staircase leads to another terrace, this time in laminated wood, and raised. Two wooden benches are built there. Mirrors are placed on the walls to create an impression of depth. “A successful garden is a space where we no longer see the limits. We planted trees to change the scale ratios and added potted trees that will go under the tallest ones.explains the landscaper.

Among the small trees chosen are Japanese maples, dogwoods (kousa horn, capitate horn) and small evergreen shrubs that have been pruned to create different volumes. Among them are shrimp willows, small willows with white variegated foliage. Small-leaved pittospore balls (pittosporum ténuifolium) are also planted in strategic locations. Eucalyptus trees are arranged in half-moon pots, leaning against the wall. Boxwood should be avoided due to diseases. At the bottom, a trellis of star jasmine diffuses a captivating scent.

More than two weeks of work

Carpentry, paving stones, lighting, automatic watering, plantings… It took more than two weeks of work to achieve this abundant and soothing result. “This garden had no history. Our work is almost like theater staging, we created a set with living thingsexplains Pierre-Alexandre Risser. We only see what is above the earth, but a third of the work is actually underground. The ground was made up of bad soil, it was only necessary to nourish it so that it was fertile again..