Ronald van der Hilst Tends a Year-Round Blooming Walled Paradise in Antwerp

Dutch landscape architect and designer Ronald van der Hilst has transformed a historic church garden on a quiet Antwerp side street into a lush, walled sanctuary that blooms in every season. The garden, tucked behind old stone walls, showcases van der Hilst’s layered approach to planting, combining perennials, shrubs, and climbers to create depth and continuous interest. His design respects the site’s ecclesiastical heritage while introducing a contemporary, naturalistic aesthetic that feels both timeless and alive. Antwerp’s urban fabric gains a rare green retreat, demonstrating how expert horticulture can turn even a modest, enclosed plot into a year-round spectacle. For garden lovers and city planners alike, this project underscores the value of preserving and reimagining historic green spaces. Van der Hilst’s work here is a masterclass in quiet, sustainable beauty.