It showcases not just products, but a complete garden – the Leier show garden in Győr takes landscaping to a whole new level

The construction of the model garden in Győr at Leier Hungária Kft. model garden in Győr a month ago , and on 24 April the exhibition space, which has been expanded with new features and areas, was officially opened.

According to the company’s vision, the show garden embodies a new way of thinking, in which the garden is no longer a secondary space but an integral part of the home.

The project thus provides inspiration, knowledge and practical solutions all at once – all in a format that has not previously been available in Hungary.

It depicts situations in life, not products

The show garden represents a radical departure from standard practice in this country, as it does not feature a series of individual paving samples and walling elements laid out side by side, but rather presents complete, real-life landscaping solutions.

„What makes this unique is that it doesn’t showcase a single piece of concrete, but rather a garden made up of pieces of concrete,” said Lajos Dávid, brand director of Leier.

From a professional perspective, the concept is also the result of a well-considered design process. „It always comes up how good it is when a product is placed in a real-life setting,” added Ernő Kosztka, president of the Hungarian National Association of Landscape Architects (MAKEOSZ), who contributed to bringing the show garden to life with his team of contractors, Barack-Virág Kft..

He added that the aim was for visitors not merely to see abstract elements, but also to understand their practical applications.

The garden as an outdoor living room

One of the main aims of the show garden is to provide inspiration. The Leier deliberately responds to the market trend whereby the garden is no longer merely a functional space, but an extension of the home.

„You should think of the garden as an outdoor living room that you want to furnish,” emphasised Lajos Dávid.

According to Ernő Kosztka, a key factor in this is that the garden should appear as a real garden, that is, it should be constructed realistically, filled with plants and featuring water features.

A great shopping experience and practical help, all in one place

The Győr demonstration garden is not merely a showroom, but serves as a comprehensive service platform where

• Guided and self-guided tours are available, with the option of personalised advice,
• a QR code system is available that provides detailed product information and recommendations,
• a digital wish list is available, from which you can request a quote directly,
• as well as inspiration guides that break down specific landscaping ideas into individual elements and costs.

Although the digital wish list and inspiration sets are not yet available, they will soon be a reality.

Visitors are given a sort of landscaping catalogue to help them make decisions and plan their projects. „You can think of it as a Lego catalogue, where visitors can see ready-made solutions and choose what they’d like to create,” explained Lajos Dávid.

According to Ernő Kosztka, this is important because customers see the product in a natural setting and can decide for themselves what it is for and how it works in real life.

DIY or a professional? It offers support for both

One key aspect of the concept is to make landscaping more accessible to the general public. Although Leier does not specifically position itself as a DIY brand, the solutions presented can often be implemented by the homeowner themselves.

„They’re basically giant Lego bricks. You need a bit of know-how, but you can build quite a lot yourself,” said Lajos Dávid.

Ernő Kosztka offered a slightly nuanced view of who actually counts as a layman: „It’s very difficult to say who is a layman. Some people can do it with engineering precision, whilst for others, the important thing is simply to recognise that they would rather leave the landscaping to a professional.” He added that the most important thing is to have a precise standard for how to lay paving or build a retaining wall.

Education and professional development

The project goes beyond simply providing a realistic display; it also serves an educational purpose. Training courses and educational materials are being developed in connection with the demonstration garden.

„Landscaping is a relatively new profession, which is why education is so important,” emphasised Ernő Kosztka. According to the plans,

• vocational training courses related to gardening are starting,
• instructional videos are being produced on basic construction techniques,
• In addition, professionals can take part in training courses that earn them credit points.

„The aim is for everyone to be on the same page when we say this is a well-designed garden,” he added.

A new focus in landscaping

According to Leier’s experience, landscaping trends are also changing. Paving is no longer a top priority.

„Nowadays, landscaping features take precedence over fencing, and paving comes only after that,” pointed out Lajos Dávid.

According to Ernő Kosztka, this is part of a natural evolution. „Today, the garden is a space for enjoyment, where we don’t just pass through but spend time; that is why it is important for it to be well designed and constructed.”

A national network is being established

The model garden in Győr is not a one-off project; it is part of the Leier national network. According to the plans, a total of 15 similar gardens are to be established across Hungary.

„There is currently nothing else like it in terms of a model garden that can be viewed at several locations across the country,” emphasised Lajos Dávid.

This is also an important step forward for the industry. „The more demonstration gardens there are, the easier it is to show the potential that lies in landscaping,” added Ernő Kosztka.

More than just a show garden: a complete system

The significance of the Győr model garden project therefore lies in the fact that it fulfils several roles at once:

• a space to inspire the public,
• a decision-making tool for customers,
• vocational training venue,
• product showcase platform,
• as well as an experience centre linked to digital services.