I know little about Spanish gardens but it seems I’m in good company. Monty Don admits that before he started travelling the country for his latest book his knowledge of the country’s horticulture was “severely limited”. His journey through this varied landscape has educated us both.
(Given a review copy. Not paid for the post. This post has affiliate links.)
Travelling with his long time collaborator, photographer Derry Moore, he explores the richness of Spanish garden-making from the lush green of the north, reminiscent, he tells us, of Cornwall, to the arid conditions of the central area and the Mediterranean heat of the south.
The Spanish gardens we visit are a mix of public and private, ornate and simple. Their unifying feature is the way they have been adapted to the climate both in choice of plants to cope with often extremes of temperature, and also design where providing shade is vital.
The climate leads to a more limited planting palette and careful choice. Herbaceous plants are rare. Not only difficult to source but also unsuited to the weather in much of the country. Being able to cultivate them is a source of pride. In contrast, tree ferns, often tricky to keep in the UK can flourish.
“Everything is exotic to someone, and all our treasured exotica commonplace to others,” Monty observes.
Yet, despite not having the range of plants British gardens can support, the resulting gardens are full of interest, using contrasts in shape, texture and, often, shades of green to good effect.
At Torre D’Ariant, Heidi Gildemeister has shown how to garden with limited water and her book, Mediterranean Gardening: A Waterwise Approach, has been guiding gardeners for more than 30 years.
On the journey, we encounter the boat-shaped ‘islands’ on pools at Pazo de Oca, planted to represent heaven and hell, discover an ingenious 15th century method of irrigation at Pedralbes Monastery and learn how an English nanny changed the garden style at Los Molinillos.
Following an elderly man carrying garden shears, Monty discovers allotments in the heart of Santiago de Compostela, while a visit to Barcelona’s Botanical Garden changes his mind about echiums.
It is perhaps those places that are using plants to improve people’s lives that are most interesting. In Valencia, a dry riverbed once destined to become a motorway, has been turned into Turia Park, a green route through the heart of the city. On the Costa del Sol, a main road has been replaced by planted containers and trees, each neighbourhood involved in the choice of plants and pot colour.
Ideas that could shape our own towns and cities. After all, inspiration is the main reason for garden-visiting.
Spanish Gardens by Monty Don and Derry Moore is published by BBC Books with an RRP of £39.99. You can buy it here for £26.78. (If you buy via this link, I receive a small commission. The price you pay is not affected.) Alternatively, you may wish to buy from an independent bookseller here. All prices correct at time of publication of this post.
Top image: Real Alcazár in Seville © Derry Moore.
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Sounds like a great journey to discovery.
It was really interesting. Such a different climate and, therefore, different way of gardening to here.