A long green hedge forms the main structure. The hedge is a literal translation of the word ‘garden’; with Germanic origins it means ‘enclosed space’. The hedge defines nine spaces, each concealing a different type of garden. Step through an opening in the hedge and discover a new world. Every space gives you a new idea of what a garden can be.

A tour through the hedge is like a journey through the history of the garden. From a walled garden in Pompeii you pass through an Islamic Oasis, and from a majestic Renaissance garden into a Chinese rock garden, to finally end up in a contemporary garden. Each garden has a different character, a different function and defining characteristics. You don’t just see it, you feel it, you smell it, and you hear it. Every new garden appeals to all your senses in a new way.

Gardens are foremost places to wander through and experience. That is why we have separated ‘knowing’ and ‘experiencing’ in this exhibition. There are no explanatory texts. You can get in-depth information through a special audio tour. Each garden is accompanied by its own soundscape featuring, for example, a background of chirping birds and buzzing insects which enhances the imagination.

Screens integrated into the outer wall of the hedge show short animations about key figures from gardening history. VR glasses allow you to explore famous gardens such as the Monet Garden in Giverny or the Tivoli Gardens near Rome. Beside the hedge you’ll find interactive exhibits that teach you about different topics such as the workings of photosynthesis, the role of the seasons, and the need for healthy soil. On the long back wall you’ll find a fantastic collection of garden tools collected over the centuries. The Story of Gardening is an ode to everything that makes a garden such a wonderful place.