Military cemetery, Orry-la-Ville, France

Between 1953 and 1965, the Dutch War Graves Foundation created twelve military cemeteries in Europe, for Dutch victims of the Second World War, including the Orry-la-Ville military cemetery in France, which was inaugurated on May 3 1958. Due to maintenance cutbacks, the quality of the greenery had deteriorated significantly over the years, which meant that a major renovation became necessary. The Dutch garden and landscape architect John Todirijo was commissioned to create a plan through which symmetry, rest and dignity would be returned to the military cemetery and the maintenance of the planting would be simplified. This resulted in a detailed revitalisation plan with clear structures, increased breadth and depth and protected, enclosed places. Trees that had a place in the original 1956 design but had disappeared over time were reinstated.

The final planting plan for Orry-la-Ville was made in collaboration with Nursery Ebben and Hoek Hoveniers. On and around the field of honour, hedges, shrubs and plants were cleared and more than 20 trees cut down. The soil quality - which left much to be desired - was also improved. The trees in the surrounding, protected forest were carefully pruned to bring light and air back to the cemetery. Large trees, shrubs and perennials were then planted in the cemetery. The main structures are formed by evergreen tight yew hedges. Multi-stemmed dogwood, ornamental cherry and false tulip trees bring seasonal colour in bloom and autumn, while red-leaved columnar beeches form stately elements. Thanks to a careful choice in planting, the war cemetery has been beautifully restored to its former glory.