I reject the practice of planting drought-resistant plants and instead water my thriving, green Mediterranean garden.
Nestled amidst the rolling hills of northern Sardinia lies a verdant oasis - one that defiantly defies its scorching, sun-drenched surroundings. The brainchild of designer, Maurizio Usai, this Mediterranean woodland and meadow garden stands in stark yet enchanting contrast to its barren environment.
Claimed by the hills' gentle fold, this hillside offers a welcomed moment of introspection, shielded from the bone-dry landscape that spreads out beyond. For Maurizio, this was the perfect canvas to create his very own sanctuary.
Spanning approximately two-and-a-half acres, this expansive oasis is home to an eclectic mix of flora - one that Maurizio describes as playing with his favorite plants in unabashed dichotomy to the landscape it graces. The garden grows organically and fluidly, mirroring the seasonal stream it channels, slowly seeping into the broader canvas of the region.
Adapting to the garden's rapid climate change, Maurizio has crafted an environment filled with exotic blooms - from vibrant poppies to delicate ferns, towering maples, and lush hydrangeas. These verdant accents serve as compelling contrast to the antibiotically dry environment.
While summer temperatures once soared to a sweltering 38°C, they now reach a scorching 48°C due to climate change. Yet, Maurizio refuses to let external factors dictate his garden's beauty, instead adopting the design philosophy of history's earliest gardens: they were intentional contradictions to a hostile climate.
With two water sources - a shallow dam and a deep borehole - the garden is generously irrigated, allowing it to bloom even in the driest summer months. Further reflecting the garden's overarching design principles, this water usage is far from wasteful, with an average of 20 cubic meters of water per day nourishing both the garden and the attached nursery.
Valleys - like the one that envelops Maurizio's garden - pose a unique opportunity for creation, offering the feeling of peering into a distant world across a deep, untraversable void. It's a sensation that Maurizio explores throughout the garden, showcasing glimpses of old stone walls, massive granite boulders, and untrodden paths that invite the senses on a tantalizing exploration.
Though the garden is adorned with an impressive collection of peonies, hellebores, rhododendrons, and more, it is saved from a chaotic visual overload by the omnipresent boulders that form its core, punctuating the ancient, eroded hills.
In creating this lush oasis amidst such aridity, Maurizio has achieved a magical, verdant world that brilliantly contradicts the harsh landscapes that surround it. Gone is the stress and desolation; in its place is a haven of tranquility and beauty, offering a delightful respite to those who are lucky enough to find it.
Valleys, such as the one Maurizio's garden is built upon, present a myriad of advantages for gardeners looking to craft their own oasis amidst adversity. Shielded from the winds that whip across the baren landscapes, valleys offer a place for growth, nurturing a riot of life even in the harshest of environments.
For those who wish to see the beauty that can emerge from unlikely places, a visit to Maurizio's garden is a must-see destination. Or, draw inspiration from the garden's design principles and overcome the challenges of your own environment to create a magical, verdant sanctuary of your own. You can find more information about Maurizio's work at lapietrarossastudio.com.
- Maurizio Usai's garden, tucked within a valley in northern Sardinia, stands as a remarkable testament to how landscape design can transform a barren environment, creating a lush oasis that contrasts the hostile climate.
- By adopting a design philosophy that embraces dichotomy and overcoming adversity, Maurizio's home-and-garden project mirrors the lifestyle of an individual who refuses to let external factors limit his vision.
- Viewed as a source of introspection, this hillside garden, brimming with plants like poppies, ferns, maples, and hydrangeas, serves as a living example of how gardens can flourish in the driest landscapes, providing a sanctuary for those seeking tranquility and beauty.
