Turquoise fountain and crown of thorns add colour to a succulent garden in Edmonton's naturalistic backyard design
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Schizanthus and succulents in pots create contrast in this lush Edmonton backyard garden patio with perennials behind
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Curved patio layout in Edmonton back garden with potted kale, barley, agastache, and succulents in summer
Summer view of potted succulents with purple tradescantia in Edmonton back garden patio against lush perennial planting
Large aloe in succulent garden at Edmonton back garden patio edge with red poppies scattered among grasses and perennials
Dense backyard garden design in Edmonton with corn, succulents, and entry to the plinth pot walkway in summer
Dense summer planting along plinth pot walkway with sweet peas, heliotrope, red lettuce, and heron sculpture
Plinth pot walkway with raised containers and perennials framed by magenta wall, blue gate, and orange fence
Dense naturalistic planting with succulents in plinth pots, red poppies, blue bachelor buttons and summer perennials
Raised plinth pot with annuals like schizanthus surrounded by perennials and lawn in the Hannemann back garden in summer
Naturalistic planting with corn and annuals contrasts with potted succulents leading to blue gate in back garden in summer
Potted schizanthus and chartreuse salvia rise above vibrant perennial planting in summer at the Hannemann back garden edmonton
Immersive plinth pot walkway in summer with dense naturalistic planting in the Hannemann back garden edmonton

Hannemann Garden: Back Garden

This enclosed garden is a private, high-energy counterpart to the Front Meadow — a lush, immersive space shaped by colour, structure, and climate resilience. Succulents, bold plant contrasts, and artistic focal points create a distinct atmosphere for gathering, rest, and quiet delight.

A living experiment in naturalistic planting design, the Hannemann Garden is a dynamic, immersive landscape where biodiversity, seasonality, and artistic composition come together. What was once a conventional space has been transformed into a richly layered, ecologically driven garden that evolves over time. Every planting is designed for interplay, adaptation, and long-term resilience, creating a landscape that is both visually compelling and deeply functional. This garden is not static — it shifts with the seasons, engages wildlife, and invites visitors into an ever-changing dialogue between design and ecology.

In contrast to the expansive, layered planting of the Front Meadow, the Back Garden is an enclosed, high-energy retreat designed for privacy and immersion. Drawing inspiration from Louis Barragán and Jacques Majorelle, the space features bold colour blocking in the hardscape — warm yellows, oranges, and deep red-purples — complemented by lush and architectural plantings. Silver-leaved species are purposefully omitted to sharpen the visual contrast with the Front Meadow’s cooler, more subdued palette. Together, these choices create a richly textured garden that feels vibrant and intentional.

At the centre of the patio, a fountain offers soothing sounds and a water source for birds and pollinators. Around it, large containers filled with succulents highlight sculptural form and low-water adaptability, reinforcing the garden’s character and climate-conscious ethos. A cinder block platform adds verticality and structure for additional succulent displays, further elevating their presence.

A linear walkway guides visitors past six prominent pots toward a heron sculpture, creating a formal axis and reinforcing the space’s geometric clarity. The Back Garden also includes a shaded seating area, a lawn for small gatherings, and transitions to the house, driveway, and raised vegetable beds. 

This garden is also a test site for container-based plantings, where a wide variety of species are trialed. Succulent plants are central to these experiments, chosen for their resilience, low water needs, and bold presence in a time of increasing climate stress. Their contrast with conventional potted plants adds to the garden’s unique identity, while supporting the broader design goal of low-input, high-impact planting.

Browse more immersive gardens rooted in ecological planting and artistic vision.

Want to learn more about how this garden was made?

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