An extraordinary setting on a slope high in the Monchique mountains with a surrounding vegetation of cork oak trees make this garden a privilege and a joy to work with. Waterwise initially got involved to replant the long, sheltered border alongside the house, looked onto from the kitchen windows, and have since returned to install an Islamic-style rill and herb garden, rock walls and paths to form a setting for relaxed Mediterranean perennial and shrub borders, and even a cute succulent gecko in a sun-drenched spot on a lower terrace.

Self-seeding plants such as Lavandula multifida, Centranthus ruber and Euphorbia segetalis happily find their way into cracks in the rocks, and with the careful editing eye of the owners, and occasional craft-gardening visits from Waterwise, a balance is achieved of naturalistic, but cared for.

Planting Style:

Naturalistic, rustic, Portuguese native, Mediterranean native, exotic, succulents

Features:

Water feature, ornamental borders, herb/edible garden, meadow, plant sculpture, gravel paths, calçada paths, bound crushed stone paths, rock walls, terrace/s

Irrigation Regime:

Twice weekly for exotics, none for established Med plantings

Waterwise Services:

Landscape design, planting design, hard landscape installation, soft landscape installation, ongoing management

On Going Maintenance:

Fortnightly weeding, occasional watering by hand, occasional editing and replanting of self-seeders