The Dyck Castle Trust and the European Garden Heritage Network (EGHN) awarded the 6. European Garden Prize to four gardens and parks in France, Germany and Sweden.

The Herrenhäuser Gärten in Hannover, Germany, won in the category “Best Development of a historic Park or Garden”. The jury recognized the effort of linking the landscape architecture of the baroque complex with events and exhibitions, just as in the days of electress Sophia (1630-1714), who had the gardens created. The concept doubled the number of visitors within a short period of time.

The category “Temporary Park or Garden” was won by the Martin Luther King Park in Paris, France. The former train and storage space was transformed into an ecological yet exciting park for visitors. A sustainable water system enabled a wetland in the park, the energy for the water pumps is provided by wind energy plants.

The Award for “Large-Scale Green Networks and Development Concepts” went to “Green Malmö”. Since the regional economic crisis in the 1980s the city developed the landscape of the city, to encourage the citizens of the city. Historic parks were reconditioned, several playgrounds made the city more child-friendly. Skate-arenas gave teenagers their own space. The concept worked, Malmö is now one of the most popular regions in Sweden.

The Hermannshof in Weinheim, Germany, won a special award. The garden is open to the public and one of the best examples for the “New German Style”, that uses perennial plants and grass and arranges them in a natural way. “To win this award as a small garden with competitors as well-known as these is a special honor. I hope the European Garden Prize will put the spotlight back on which plants are used and why, because that has nearly vanished from landscape architecture”, says Cassian Schmidt.

The EGHN was founded in 2003 and is working with 170 partners in 12 countries. The European Garden Prize is awarded to projects with a pioneer spirit.

6. European Garden Prize: Finalists and winners

Best Development of a historic Park or Garden: Herrenhäuser Gärten Hannover, Germany (Winner), Parco Gardino Sigurtà, Valeggio sul Mincio, Italy (Finalist), Painshill Park, Cobham, Great Britain (Finalist)

Temporary Park or Garden: Martin Luther King Park Paris, France (Winner), Bosco della Ragnaia, San Giovanni d’Asso, Italy (Finalist), Etar de Alcântra, Lisbon, Portugal (Finalist)

Large-Scale Green Networks and Development Concepts: Green Malmö, Sweden

Special Award:  Schau- und Sichtungsgarten Hermannshof Weinheim, Germany