Luscious Sun-Soaked Oasis: Mallorcan Garden Masterpiece by Tom Stuart-Smith Sparks Travel Yearnings
In the sun-drenched eastern side of Mallorca, Spain, a stunning transformation is taking place at a finca, thanks to the visionary work of renowned landscape architect Tom Stuart-Smith. Three years post-planting, Nick Pusterla, a director from Tom's studio, is observing the garden's development with a sense of pride.
The garden, designed by Tom Stuart-Smith, is a testament to sustainable landscape architecture, showcasing a design philosophy that reduces reliance on water and emphasises the natural elegance of the location. This approach is particularly suitable for the region's dry Mediterranean climate, as demonstrated by the garden's impressive use of climate-zone plants.
The garden is a vibrant tapestry of diverse species, including the endemic Eremophila nivea from Western Australia and Lomelosia cretica, native to the Balearic Islands and Italy. Local favourites such as lentisk trees, Mediterranean heather, and rosemary coexist harmoniously with exotic additions like Stachys byzantina, Hyparrhenia hirta, Lavandula dentata, Russian sage, euphorbias, Agave attenuata, Aloearborescens, and resinous-scented Salvia leucantha.
Before the redesign, the garden was mainly a heavily irrigated lawn. However, the transformation involved reducing the lawn and distinguishing garden areas from wilder ones, resulting in a garden that requires very little water and minimal weed management. The garden's irrigation regime was also altered, with watering now only every 14 days to prevent losses.
The garden's natural feel is developing, showcasing a quiet confidence and sense of place. As one walks through the garden, beginning from the upper terrace by the house, they are greeted by drifts of grasses like Lygeum spartum with tufted flowers under shifting shadows of mature olive and jacaranda trees. Areas near the edges of paths, with more dust and organic matter, are where seedlings seem to take hold.
The client of Tom Stuart-Smith's project aims to move towards a more sustainable approach and reduce water reliance. The garden, best explored on a warm, sunny afternoon, is a living embodiment of this goal, demonstrating that sustainable gardening can be both beautiful and practical in a Mediterranean setting. Most plants were sourced from the French nursery, Pépinière Filippi, which specialises in drought-tolerant species and grows stock in a free-draining medium.
The garden faced challenges during its development, such as compaction from heavy machinery and losses in the first year. These issues were addressed through de-compaction using a drill, ensuring the garden's continued growth and success.
Tom Stuart-Smith's Mallorca garden is a model of environmentally responsible gardening, blending ecological sensitivity with aesthetic beauty. Its success serves as a beacon for sustainable gardening practices in Mediterranean climates, inspiring others to adopt similar approaches in their own gardens.
- The garden, designed by Tom Stuart-Smith, embodies sustainable horticulture, utilizing climate-zone plants and reducing water reliance, making it a suitable example for the dry Mediterranean climate.
- The garden is a vibrant blend of diverse species, incorporating native Balearic Island plants like Lomelosia cretica, as well as exotics such as Stachys byzantina and Russian sage, creating a tapestry of colors and textures.
- The garden's transformation involved redefining garden areas as distinct from wilder ones, reducing the lawn and implementing water-saving measures like an irrigation regime that only waters every 14 days.
- The garden, a living testament to sustainable landscape architecture, showcases a philosophy that integrates ecological sensitivity with aesthetic beauty, serving as a beacon for environmentally responsible gardening in Mediterranean settings.
