Garden with Levels: Elevation Differences as the Basis for Design

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Rosanne de Boer, Friday 11 July 2025

184 sec

'A garden with elevation changes was a challenging project'

Landscape contractor Joost van der Asdonk recently completed a garden project in Meijel (Limburg) that involved significant elevation differences. He aimed to create contrasts in both color and shape. The house itself is light in color, while the garden furniture combines dark and light shades. A variety of shapes was used throughout the design.

Atmospheric impression of a garden with elevation differences in Meijel.

Joost van der Asdonk sought contrast in color and form.

The family that purchased the house initially planned to handle the landscaping themselves. 'But they found the elevation changes more challenging than expected and contacted us instead. They became new clients for us,' says Joost van der Asdonk. 'They were looking for a company that could handle both design and construction. While there are many landscaping firms in Meijel, not every company could manage a project of this complexity. Some only offer simple drawings, but this job required more expertise. That's how we got involved. We're accustomed to managing the entire process, from design to completion.'

Working with Elevation Differences

'It's a large garden with an area of 2,400 square meters. The front and back gardens flow into one another, creating a unified whole. In total, we worked on about 2,700 square meters. A crane was needed for the work. We loosened the soil and brought in additional earth. The elevation differences are partially bridged by stairs that we installed. On one stretch of just 3 meters, there's an 80-centimeter difference in height. The client also requested that the garden be future-proof and accessible. This is a family whose children are almost grown and leaving home. Some clients ask for gardens suitable for young children, but that was not the case here.'

'The stairs help bridge the elevation changes'$S

Seeking Contrast

'For us, this garden was definitely a challenge, as elevation changes are not common in this part of central Limburg. You see them more often in southern Limburg,' Van der Asdonk says, smiling. Retaining walls were installed as part of the design. 'We ordered a planter from Adezz, a company from Uden that we've worked with for over ten years and have had good experiences with. Adezz has a wide product range, and the standard planters integrate easily into our designs. Custom products are also available. I appreciate that Adezz can deliver quickly because they manufacture everything in-house — the deliveries are reliable.'

The dark grey aluminum planter (RAL 7021) contrasts sharply with the house's white facade. 'The client specifically wanted color contrasts. With Adezz, we can order planters in any color. This planter stands out against the brightly colored wooden fence beside it and the grey concrete staircase we sourced from Schellevis. The garden paths were laid using clay pavers from Wienerberger. The client wanted variety in both color and form, so we aimed for contrasts.'

'The dark grey planter contrasts with the brightly colored wooden fence'$S

Evergreen Holm Oak

Van der Asdonk started the project in January, and by early April, the final plants were in place. A tree was planted inside the aluminum planter. 'It's a holm oak (Quercus ilex), which has room to grow. The aluminum planter measures 140 by 140 by 80 centimeters.' Adezz also offers planters with wall insulation. 'We didn't use insulation in this case. This isn't a true exotic species, but for palms, insulation against the cold would be necessary. The holm oak comes from southern Europe and remains green year-round, unlike native oaks, which lose their leaves. That makes the holm oak desirable — people like it because it stays green.'

The first plants went into the ground in spring

'Landscaping is an underestimated profession'$S

Personal Satisfaction

Van der Asdonk Hoveniers was founded 25 years ago by Johan van der Asdonk. In 2023, Joost officially took over the business from his father, coinciding with the company's 25th anniversary. Joost has worked in the family business for over 15 years, starting with garden construction and increasingly focusing on project preparation.
'Everything has to be right in the preparation phase; otherwise, the outdoor work won't run smoothly,' Joost explains. 'This new role gives me great satisfaction. Everything depends on our team of skilled professionals. Many people still associate landscaping with weeding, but it's an underestimated trade. Creating beautiful gardens and maintaining them requires knowledge in many areas. Fortunately, our clients consistently express their appreciation after every project. We're proud of our team.' His wife Priscilla, a landscape designer, handles the design work. 'Joost usually meets the clients first and handles much of the preliminary work. Once a proposal is ready, I develop it further,' she adds.

Precision Work

Van der Asdonk primarily serves clients looking for something special. 'We focus on clients who don't want a standard garden with just paving and retaining walls. Quality is paramount, and every detail must be perfect. That comes with a price tag, but if a client's budget is limited, we offer a Plan B. That's part of our service. We've even had clients who were so enthusiastic about our design that they doubled their budget for the project. The client's wishes are always central to the design — we never impose ideas.'
'This past year, we've grown significantly and taken on some remarkable projects,' Van der Asdonk says. 'We laid a cobblestone path — real precision work, placing each stone individually. We also built a cobblestone staircase, a sunken seating area with a firepit, a ceramic patio, and an exposed aggregate concrete floor.'

Most of the firm's projects are for private clients, but they also work for businesses and municipalities. 'The majority of our work is within 25 kilometers of our office in Meijel, located between Weert, Roermond, and Venlo.'

HOVENIERSBEDRIJF VAN DER ...

ADEZZ

Schellevis Beton

Wienerberger

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