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Garden Tour: Enchanting Greek Landscape
Get Ideas for Mediterranean-Style Plantings on a Beautiful Paros Garden Stroll
You know a landscape is good when it appears as if it hasn't been designed at all, but rather just exists as if it has existed there forever. The magnetic quality of the space draws you in to nurture and protect you from all exterior forces and distractions. I instantly knew that the Garden on Paros, designed by Carolyn Chadwick, was one of those gardens when I saw it featured last month in our Greek Getaway. I had to see more.
Drawing inspiration from the colors of the sea and the rhythmic motion of the waves, Carolyn aimed to deliver a garden to her clients in Greece that would be "wild and peaceful, exciting and an inspiration." Today we will return to the island to delve deeper into the features that make this garden so unforgettably and effortlessly beautiful.
Drawing inspiration from the colors of the sea and the rhythmic motion of the waves, Carolyn aimed to deliver a garden to her clients in Greece that would be "wild and peaceful, exciting and an inspiration." Today we will return to the island to delve deeper into the features that make this garden so unforgettably and effortlessly beautiful.
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| The location of this garden dictated much of the design right from the start of the project. "The idea behind the design was to really incorporate it into the landscape, reflecting the movement of the sea and to look as if it had alway been there." The ocean view, the rocky cliffs, and the Mediterranean climate were major deciding factors in all creative decisions. |
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| The movement of the ocean and the wind is echoed in the garden through billowy plants and meandering paths. |
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| The plants were chosen specifically for the ocean project's ocean theme. Carolyn focused the palette on white, blue, and pink flowering plants, with a sporadic splash of red for a hint of sunset. Once she has chosen a theme for the project, all creative decisions reinforce that theme. |
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| Lavender is a staple in this Mediterranean climate. |
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| African lilies and Society Garlic in a spectrum of blues, pinks, and whites blanket the landscape and blow with the breeze. |
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| The Marguerite daisy makes many appearances. |
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And when your eye has grown accustomed to the purple palette, a blast of red from oleander reveals itself.
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| For the garden to look more natural, the plants were clustered in large masses.
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| Landscape designer tip: Even if you only have a small space to work with, limit the number of species you plant. Too many different species in a small area can be jarring to the eye and make the space look more artificial. |
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| While color was a strong determinant for the plants chosen for this project, textures were just as critical. This garden is full of cotton lavender, but you wouldn't know it because all of the yellow blooms have been chopped off to let its velvety foliage stand alone. |
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| "I like the garden to be light, airy, and beautiful," says Carolyn. |
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| "The ornamental grasses give it that extra wow factor, because you get a natural movement in the garden when the wind blows and a beautiful panoramic view when the sunlight catches on their feathers." |
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| Never forget impact of rocks in the landscape. The striking contrast of the delicate African lilies and the solid boulder adds weight to the garden. |
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| A point of interest in the garden is the monolithic rock dining set. The material was selected from a local stone masonry and delivered directly to the site. |
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| While the plants are showcased in this garden, the gridded system of gravel paths anchors it. |
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| Using curly rulers, Carolyn created sinuous paths that she mirrored throughout the garden to resemble the rhythmic pattern of the waves crashing against the cliffs below. |
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| The mass planting and Mediterranean palette give the garden a found appearance, and the walkways remind the visitor that this garden was, in fact, designed. |
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| What's so special about this space, is that while the colors were carefully selected and the paths methodically designed, it is lived in and treasured by all of the island's residents.
"I went to visit the garden last year and it really is magical... As all people who visit say, apparently." |
Comments
Karen Hewlett wow absolutley stunning
2 years ago · Like
ninabenz wow! simply beautiful - feels like a place to recover and regenerate
2 years ago · Like
ds design studio Beautiful and inspirational. I learned a few great tips and plant names, thanks to your tags!
2 years ago · Like
Becky Harris Ah, at the top of my dream destinations. So beautiful! I need to re-read my Iliad and Odyssey before I make plans. Yeah, like that'll happen...
2 years ago · Like
Downunda Aquatic Environments Breath taking and Gorgeous.
2 years ago · Like
2d-LandscapeArchitecture I LOVE IT, beautiful images
2 years ago · Like
Drought Smart Plants The perfect xeric garden - I'm so partial to lavender and ornamental garlic, as well as grasses, combined with gravel paths. Somehow it seems so familiar...
2 years ago · Like
Annie Thornton This garden really is a dream. Make sure to click the "More Info" button below each photo if you want to see the specific plants from each.
2 years ago · Like
maureenmcw Wise planting in a perfect setting. Beautiful to start the day looking at these photos! Even better to visit that area of the world....
2 years ago · Like
milicacello Have you ever been to Grece?I spend every summer there and I agree it looks beautiful,but this kind of no shade open space is a big no no! They wont spend much time in that beauty during the day..and it will also atract all sorts of sun loving creatures close to the house...
2 years ago · Like
belletracy We were in Greece this summer, I didn't get many garden photo's though. I did notice many restaurants growing a patch of herbs alongside along with veggies though. 
2 years ago · Like
soubarb belletracy, you should come to Greece again and take more photos:)
2 years ago · Like
Ideabook updated on Jan. 17, 2011.
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