Piet Oudolf (which I now know is pronounced Pete) used to be just a name printed in Helvetica Bold on a large black and white book in our design office, a name our designers gushed about as they planned perennial gardens and a name associated with the incredible Highline garden in New York City and the Lurie Garden of Chicago.

This June I was able to put a face to the name as our team installed a massive residential perennial garden for the world renowned, Dutch landscape designer. The project spanned over five sections around a truly unique home. Oudolf’s design stuck to his “New Perennial Movement” roots with large drifts of perennials selected for not only their color but their structure and full lifespan.

The Purple Polos worked alongside Piet and Roy Diblick, another lead on the project, for five days this June, planting perennials. The crews used single-man augers to drill 4” holes for the plant material and worked on slippery slopes for most of the week. Though the work was hard, all the Purple Polos felt lucky to be working on such an impressive project. It was an amazing learning experience, working on such a fun project with collective team of horticulture colleagues and now friends. Planting alongside Piet was a fun and inspiring way to spend a week this summer and we can’t wait to see how his design matures and changes through the seasons.

The Purple Polos with Piet Oudolf and Roy Diblik

Stokesia laevis ‘Blue Danube’ – Stokes Aster

Echinacea – Purple Cone Flower

Echinacea – Purple Cone Flower before blooming

Echinops – Globe Thistle

Achillea millefolium – Yarrow