The toscan garden
We are welcomed into the Tuscan Garden by the sphinx who acts as guardian with her bird’s wings, lion’s claws and female body sculpted by Bernard Decottignies.
Her enigmatic form prepares us for the transition into the last garden.
Its dry stone walls and sunny position make it the ideal Mediterranean garden. Poor in soil, rich in stones and rocks, dry and calcareous.
Everything in it is designed to discourage the gardener – but we chose to draw on the essence of its faults to create a garden which flourishes in arid conditions.
Its simple framework is based on the trilogy of Cyprus, Box and yellow-ochre paths, often found in Italy.
The style is classic – the box hedge bordered geometric shaped beds – squares and pentagons - are enhanced by dark green yews which have been pruned into columns or tiered shapes.
But as the seasons pass it is enriched by its blue and white flowers.
In spring there are Irises, White Lilies, Lilacs and Romneya ; in summer, Gaura , a large collection of Agapanthus in sky blue, dark blue and white;
and in autumn there are the Giant Salvia from South America.
