Mixed culture

Seit über 25 Jahren sammeln wir Zitate, Sprüche und Gedanken rund um den Garten, die Natur und das stille Glück im Grünen. Viele dieser Worte begleiten uns von Anfang an beim Gartenzauber: auf Tafeln entlang der Allee, in unseren Flyern, als kleine Botschaften in der Dekoration oder in unseren Beiträgen auf Instagram & Co. Manche bringen uns zum Schmunzeln, andere berühren oder inspirieren – und immer wieder wurden wir von Besucherinnen und Besuchern auf sie angesprochen.

Zum Jubiläum möchten wir diese Sammlung nun sichtbar machen – für alle, die wie wir die Liebe zum Garten mit Worten verbinden. Es sind unsere Lieblingszitate aus vielen Jahren Gartenzauber – mitgesammelt, mitgefühlt und über die Zeit zu einem festen Teil dessen geworden, was Gartenzauber ausmacht.

In some forests, you can experience a true wonder on a spring walk. Discover the magic of the bluebell.

Bees are vitally important for plant pollination and have fascinatingly diverse lifestyles. Read here how to identify wild bumblebees and what you can do to help them.

Animals are experienced weather forecasters. But it's not just the well-known weather frog who makes fairly accurate predictions; birds also show quite clear signs of weather changes, which are worth knowing. Because you can trust animal "forecasts"!

Ladybugs are the most powerful weapon against aphids. To keep these pretty beetles on our good side, we build them a ladybug house, where they can retreat during the winter and in whose environment they can reproduce and eat their fill.

Flowering branches at Christmas not only promise good luck in the new year, but also bring a touch of spring into the winter season. A beautiful tradition bestowed upon us by Saint Barbara during Advent.

Strange noises in the dark? That could be a hedgehog. These prickly creatures make no effort to be quiet and seem to have no manners: They smack their lips, snore, puff, and rumble like crazy. This can easily frighten many a gardener. But consider yourself lucky if you have a hedgehog in your garden: there's hardly a better weapon against slugs!

Their weapons are shovels, rakes, and seed bombs; their targets are desolate, barren urban corners. Thanks to the actions of the guerrilla gardeners, these suddenly become greener and more colorful overnight.

The hare doesn't have it easy. In our intensively cultivated landscape, there's not much room for Mr. Lamprey, but many hungry predators want to get their hands on their thick fur, and in autumn and winter, lead shot flies around their long ears. So, it's more than time for a plea for the hare.

When you hear the word "chicken farming," you don't immediately think of gardens. But chickens thrive in the garden, the effort involved in keeping them is manageable, you get fresh, organic eggs, and the poultry is amazingly entertaining. Cheers to the backyard chicken!

To hibernate, hedgehogs need a place that's sheltered from the elements, quiet, and undisturbed. It's best to move the hedgehog house to a shady and hidden spot under bushes or a hedge in the garden in early autumn. This is when the animals begin preparing their winter quarters. During their annual cycle, hedgehogs require three different sleeping nests: a summer roosting place, which can be relatively sparsely furnished. A birthing place for the mother hedgehog, which should be sheltered and well-insulated to protect her offspring from the cold and predators. And a winter quarters where the hedgehog can hibernate. It shouldn't be too warm, so the hedgehog doesn't wake up too early.

Squirrels enjoy a little extra food all year round. Especially before winter, these cute little creatures start to build up their winter stores early.

The little owl, the whimsical little owl, was once the favorite bird of the goddess Athena. Today, it needs our help because its breeding grounds have become scarce.

Public gardens for weekend getaways, events, or concerts can be found almost everywhere in the world. But one particularly beautiful one can be found in the heart of the Netherlands: the distinctive perennial garden of the internationally renowned garden designer Piet Oudolf.

For garden lovers traveling to England, a visit to Sissinghurst Castle is certainly a must. The white garden is world-famous, and the collection of old rose varieties is legendary. The passion of the two creators for gardening can still be felt today, making Sissinghurst one of the most beautiful gardens in the world.

No other tree was more sacred to our ancestors, the Germanic tribes, than the oak. It has become an extraordinarily significant symbol for Germany, especially, which has a lot to do with traditional myths and legends. They can be found in all German states: mighty oaks, hundreds of years old, symbols of strength and eternity, venerated by our ancestors in sacred groves.

They are the solitary heroes of the field. Dressed in rags, with their tousled, straw-like hair, and a large, dark hat, they stand in the middle of the field day in, day out, whatever the weather. When it comes to the outfits of these fabulous field creatures, the imagination knows no bounds – the more colorful and garish, the better. After all, their mission is to keep thieving crows and starlings from stealing seeds or harvests.

Urban gardening is also what the exemplary community garden in St. Pauli represents: In the heart of Hamburg, people have taken their nutrition into their own hands. They provide organic vegetables and herbs fresh from the neighborhood.

Have you ever heard of the hen from heaven or even the fox as the bearer of Easter eggs? Do you know why people still gather around the Easter bonfire today? Why eggs are dyed at Easter, and how Easter got its name?

The Christmas tree has long held a permanent place in our Christmas celebrations, creating a warm and cozy atmosphere and a spicy forest scent that makes us want to huddle under it. It's found in almost every living room at Christmas, and it's decorated and adorned anew every year, always a childlike joy. But where does the tradition of putting a tree in the house for Christmas actually come from? This article will answer the mythical question of where the Christmas tree actually originates.

They're small, they're fast, and they often have a cheeky expression: Runner ducks enhance any garden and are sure to bring a smile to their owner's face. Not only their sleek running style, but also their practical ability to destroy all the snails in the garden is a source of joy for the animal-loving gardener.

Garden sayings from all over the world have been passed down for generations and allow us to discover the most beautiful aspects of the garden. And just like us, many well-known artists are enchanted by gardens and nature and share their thoughts with us through their imaginative sayings.

When the birds sing their songs again, the first buds sprout, and the days finally get longer, spring is here. The enchanting sayings and poems of Goethe, Morgenstern, and many other artists evoke springtime feelings all year long.

Red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris), also known locally as kittens or male squirrels, are good climbers; they feel safe and secure in tall trees. They scamper nimbly up and down the trees, using their bushy tail as a kind of balancing pole and, when jumping, also as a parachute. Their four fingers and vestigial thumb are covered in claws. These provide a good grip, especially on smooth tree trunks. What's especially cute to watch is that they always move forward in small hops, even on the ground. Squirrels are rodents and belong to the class of mammals. This means that they give birth to live young and also nurse them. The European red squirrel can have two to five young four times a year.

They're just waiting to be picked into buckets and boxes. The time is ripe for the plum harvest! The blue-frosted fruits taste best freshly picked, straight from the tree – whether from your own garden, from a fruit seller, from a local farmer, or discovered on a walk. The autumn prospects are wonderfully fruity! Some are in the trees faster than you can blink.

Sometimes they remind us of ancient men, sometimes of young and energetic strongmen: like reliable sentinels, many trees stand in avenues in this country. Everyone knows the awe-inspiring feeling when strolling along an avenue on foot or driving through it. The tranquility they radiate, the play of shadows, and the soothing rustling of the leaves make them a truly special natural experience. A short report on the small, large, young, and old avenues.

So this is what Astrid Lindgren's Michel became, you might think when you meet the artist Jonas Kötz. Sure, his hair is gray, but his eyes sparkle like those of a rascal. And he can carve, too.

The hazel dormouse is tiny, shy, and usually scurries through dense bushes at night. Therefore, very little is known about this cutest creature among rodents. Thanks to the "nut hunt," however, we can keep track of the graceful dormouse.

Characterized by warm colors, colorful leaves, and crisp air, the poems and sayings of Erich Kästner, Eduard Mörike, and Rainer Maria Rilke set the mood for the autumn season. Accompanied by autumnal impressions, our enchanting poems are a wonderful place to browse.

When the ice crystals glisten in the light, all of nature seems to be asleep in winter. During the short days, we find peace, make plans for the new gardening year, and look forward to warmer times. Our collection of winter poetry poetically captures this mood.

Blackbirds, robins, tits, and many other garden birds thrive in our gardens. They delight us with their songs and bring the garden to life with their lively nature. You can also make our feathered friends happy: Plant attractive native wild shrubs, climbing trees, and perennials in your garden, where the birds find habitat, food, shelter, and nesting sites. Hang nesting boxes and offer the best bird food at feeding stations, ideally year-round—this will transform your garden into a bird-friendly paradise.

With their extraordinary talents as vocal imitators and elegant formation artists, starlings are not ordinary birds and were rightly named “Bird of the Year 2018”.

The garden is a silent companion throughout the year – and with children, it becomes a living storyteller. Each season brings its own magic, its own colors, smells, and sounds. Walking through the garden with children allows you to experience the cycle of nature in a very special way: mindfully, curiously, and with wonder. And along the way, the little ones learn how everything is connected – sowing, growing, decay, and return.