In 1831, he started working at the Park von Muskau of the Prince Hermann von Pückler-Muskau, who turned out to be of great influence on his later work. 1835-38 he created his first Park at Matzdorf (Silesia). In 1844-52 he received the position of court gardener in Weimar, in 1852-1872 he returned as Parkinspector to Muskau, and was, in 1852-72, Director of Parks of the Netherlands.
He published frequently on his art, as well as biographical studies of other landscape gardeners, especially his study Fürst Hermann von Pückler-Muskau in seiner Bedeutung für die bildende Gartenkunst, of 1874.
