A Fresh Look at Detroit’s Natural Garden Design

The world of landscape design has a Dutch master who turns city spaces into living art. He focuses on planting native species that grow naturally, giving parks a wild feel while staying practical for urban life. One of his biggest projects in the United States is a garden on an island in Detroit’s river, built to show how diverse plants can thrive together.

Visitors to the garden notice that it sits on a low spot, so most of the beds are raised. When rainwater flooded part of it, a small wall was added and a special area was created to hold the runoff. The water garden is especially striking when blue and red Lobelia flowers bloom, catching the eye with their vivid colors.

The garden’s plant selection is unique because the designer chose every species himself. Among the standout flowers are a European native that likes damp soil, a classic geranium variety, and a violet‑tinted skullcap. Common garden favorites such as heat‑tolerant asters, bright daylilies, and butterfly‑friendly coneflowers are also present. While these plants look beautiful, they’re not all deer‑resistant.

What sets this garden apart is the way textures and life stages are mixed. Bright daylilies stand out against dark green leaves, while yellow‑green iris buds contrast with blue‑green foliage. After the blooms fade, seed heads and pods keep the scene lively for months. Plants are grouped in “drifts,” large clusters that grow together, creating a natural flow of color and height.

The entire space covers three acres, but the same idea can fit a smaller yard by limiting the variety to three or five species and planting many of each. The goal is smooth transitions between plants, just as they would appear in nature.