> He was determined to transform the territories of former East Germany into “a garden of beautiful flowers,” as he put it, hoping that West German money could

> He was determined to transform the territories of former East Germany into “a garden of beautiful flowers,” as he put it, hoping that West German money could help a formerly communist region flourish. I believe the real Quote used was "blühende Landschaften", which is more like 'blooming landscapes'. I wonder why they picked a translation that seems so different.