Omaha Old Market garden created by world-renowned designer

‘Attract people from all over the world’: World famous designer creates Old Market garden

OMAHA, Neb. —

From Millenium Park to the Old Market — famed garden designer Piet Oudolf is bringing his talents to Omaha. Oudolf’s newest creation will be called the Polina Gardens, and it sits at the corner of 13th and Leavenworth.

“It’s for individuals, for garden lovers, but also for people that don’t have a garden, and it’s got to be a teaching garden for children,” Oudolf said.

Oudolf is from the Netherlands but has created gardens around the world, including popular attraction The High Line in New York City and the Lurie Garden at Millenium Park in Chicago.

Oudolf said he wants this garden to become an attraction in Omaha.

“A good garden will attract people from all over the world,” he said.

Soon, the designer will head back to his home in the Netherlands, but the project isn’t done yet.

“It all depends on the gardeners that take care, you know,” Oudolf said. “I know that I can do my job well, but if it’s neglected afterwards and it’s not taken care of in the right sense, then you lose the intent.”

That is the responsibility of staff from Lauritzen Gardens, which owns the property.

“[We’ll] use the same quality standard and world-class plant collection that you’ve come to know and love,” Mia Jenkins, Lauritzen Gardens’ director of marketing, said.

The garden will include a range of plants from around the country, including our own backyard.

“You can see what grows in Nebraska isn’t boring; there’s a beauty in native plants, as well,” Jenkins said.

“I’m inspired by nature, of course, but it’s more than just that,” Oudolf explained. “It’s also a sort of feeling that you want to express yourself with the medium of plants.”

Construction is moving smoothly — something Oudolf is happy to hear. Aside from plants, the garden will also be home to several art pieces, including another iteration of Sophie Ryder’s The Kiss sculpture. The twisted wire depicts two clasped hands and will be lit up with light at night.

The Polina Gardens will have a grand opening in April 2026, but you might be able to grab a peek earlier than that.

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