Swiss Garden

Heavenly Awakening

Where fox and hare say goodnight to each other, one can also lay one's own head to rest – to wake up the next morning with the wonderful scent of roses in a dreamlike beautiful garden.

Text & Photos: Alexandra Zöbeli

Deep in the Black Forest, more precisely in Nordrach, a small road winds its way up the hill, occasionally making you wonder if you're really on the right track. But before you start questioning the GPS's reliability, you finally emerge from the woods and understand what drew Andrew and Thomas Huber to this place. Far removed from the hustle and bustle, you'll find the pure luxury of peace and quiet. With this garden, the two men have fulfilled a dream they love to share with guests.

During a holiday in the Black Forest, the enthusiastic amateur gardener Andrew and the globetrotter Thomas discovered the property on which they later built their garden. The Moosbach Garden They founded the garden. It was love at first sight, Thomas admits. But after the purchase, they had to be patient, as they first needed to get to know the garden and the soil conditions better. During the first year, they observed the seasons, the weather, and the sun's path.

English influence

Then the two could finally get started. Gradually, various garden rooms were created, such as the Cottage Garden, which was strongly influenced by the ideas of the well-known English garden designer. Gertrude Jekyll (1843–1932) was shaped by them. It's no coincidence that English gardens had such a strong influence on the garden in the Black Forest: Andrew comes from the county of Yorkshire in northern England, and Thomas also lived in Great Britain for 12 years, where he worked in management at various hotels. However, it was Andrew who turned Thomas into a passionate amateur gardener and plant lover. Their knowledge and enthusiasm grew steadily through their visits to numerous gardens.

A garden is never finished.

It's no secret that a garden is never truly finished. Andrews and Thomas plan to create a new garden space each year. Currently, terracing the orchard is on their to-do list. They intend to transform it into a kitchen and fruit garden with a greenhouse. The existing kitchen garden will become a herb and cut flower garden. A water garden is also on their wish list, providing another natural habitat for animals and plants. Step by step, the natural Black Forest wildflower meadow and an arboretum are also developing. The two men are far from running out of ideas.

Joint division of labor

Gardening together can sometimes lead to tension in a relationship. One partner prefers a more natural, wild look, the other a more tidy one. Not so with Thomas and Andrew: they do most of the work together, especially the planning. Andrew usually chooses the plants, while Thomas can unleash his creativity on the construction work. However, the unofficial boss of the two is... BrambleThe farm cat. Three sheep are responsible for lawn care, which is a blessing, especially in the steep and difficult-to-access areas. Five geese act as an alarm system, as the friendly Luna – a two-year-old female Border Collie – is not qualified in this area. She prefers to excel as a personal guest liaison, greeting everyone personally and providing good entertainment.

English Rose Dreams

David Austin's rose varieties captivated Andrew and Thomas from the very beginning. "Beauty, fragrance, and above all, quality convinced us," Andrew enthuses. "At first, we ordered the roses from England just for ourselves. Sometimes, due to time constraints, we couldn't plant them right away, so they sat in planters on the terrace for a while. This caught the attention of our guests, who then wanted to buy them." The two savvy businessmen quickly recognized the demand and now sell the roses at the market and through their online shop. Unfortunately, due to customs regulations, they don't ship to Switzerland – however, you can easily combine your purchase with a trip to the magnificent Moosbach Garden.

Favorite children in the rose bed

Yes, yes, we know: all roses are enchanting, but some are even more so. The favorites of the two Moosbach gardeners are: 'Gertrude Jekyll', 'Olivia Rose Austin', 'The Lark Ascending' and 'Lady of Shalott'To enjoy these thorny ladies for a long time, they should be watered sufficiently, especially in the first few years. For vigorous blooms, they also need nourishment. Because with roses, as with everything in life, you don't get something for nothing. The best time for the first application of fertilizer is in spring, when the leaves begin to emerge; the second application should be given after the first bloom. Then all that's left to do is enjoy the fragrance and, for repeat-flowering roses, remove the first faded blooms to make room for the next one.

To good neighborliness

Pink roses go well with 'Hidcote' lavender or sage Quite charming. Also Cranesbill (Geranium), Spurge (Euphorbium), Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) and Lady's Mantle (Alchemilla mollis) They make attractive neighbors. However, especially with the latter, one should keep a close eye on their vigorous growth so that they don't encroach too much on the rose's territory. The same applies to geraniums. 'Rozanne' It can lull roses to such an extent that they are hardly ever seen and they bid a sulky farewell. This is suitable for climbing roses. Clematis as attractive neighbors.



Like God in France

Following the classic French model, Thomas and Andrew offer Chambre d'hôtes Guests arrive with an aperitif and a seasonal four-course menu. Thomas's experience in the hotel industry proves invaluable here, which is also reflected in the charming rooms. Whenever possible, the hosts use vegetables, herbs, and fruits from their own garden or from the surrounding region. The following morning, guests can enjoy a hearty breakfast. The garden, the natural surroundings, and the nearby forests are delightful in every season, making it a perfect destination. The Moosbach Garden Open all year round. Picnics and walks through the garden are also possible.

📍 More information: www.moosbach.garden