Wolfgang Oehme - 1930-2011
With great sadness, I learned that Wolfgang Oehme, a superstar in 20th century landscape architecture, died a few days ago at the age of 81.
This is one my favorite photos of Wolfgang -- one I snapped back in 2007, when he was leading a tour -- with his all-engaging enthusiasm and energy -- of the Vollmer garden in Baltimore, which more or less put him on the map back in the mid-60's.
Oehme and his business partner, landscape architect James van Sweden, developed what became known as "The New American Garden" style, characterized by naturalistic sweeping masses of ornamental grasses and perennials, including black-eyed Susans, Russian sage, coneflowers, oxeye, catmint, golden grounsel, and numerous others.
Wolfgang was generous with his time, always willing to share his vast knowledge about plants, and offer advice on design and care.
We will miss him greatly.
For more on his life, see the obit in the Washington Post here.
And see Oehme van Sweden gardens at the firm website here.
(click on image above to enlarge).
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