“Landscape shapes culture.” – Terry Tempest Williams

February was an eye opening month as my husband and I shared the wonderful experience of traveling to Europe and Asia. We walked and cruised with stops in Barcelona, Istanbul, Malta, Rome, Athens, and the ancient ruins of Ephesus. Taking in the experience on multiple levels, I had the opportunity to not only enjoy the break from my normal routine, but also to discover and learn more about my craft and its background.

Many plants found in the United States abound in the locations we visited. In fact, many of our most popular plants originated elsewhere and came to the United States unintentionally – seeds attached to ballast in ships were brought by early settlers for planting in their new home or imported for decorative value. Viburnum and bougainvillea are two such popular plants throughout the world; it was great fun to see them so far from home.

Even more interesting were some of the ways in which I saw plants being used that do not occur at home. Throughout the Mediterranean, rosemary is found in urban and other areas grown as a hedge! The milder climate allows for rosemary to be evergreen year round, growing 2-3 feet tall and wide. It makes a welcome flowering and fragrant addition to the landscape, especially in public spaces, which are frequently dominated by the smell of auto exhaust!

And what about the plant life native only to the Mediterranean?

While in Malta, walking toward the ancient ruins of Hagar Qim, a plant drew me near with its familiar but distinctive shape, striking me as one that looked much like the Euphorbias we have at home. Upon further investigation, I learned that it was indeed a Euphorbia – it was Euphorbia melitensis, commonly known as Maltese Spurge and found only on the islands of Malta. I looked up Euphorbia melitensis when I returned home and sadly found that, like so many plants these days, it is threatened with extinction and protected by law.

The trip was also a vivid reminder of our connection to the past. Many garden traditions were initiated from these far off lands, cultures, and eras; Athens proved a perfect place to take notice. Ancients saw the divine in nature. High places were one of the features in the landscape that became places to worship divinities, such as Apollo or Athena – the Acropolis is a perfect example of this phenomenon. The architecture of these sites, from columns to entire buildings, have been incorporated and adapted in our buildings and landscapes.

If you are interested in integrating a landscaping architecture reminiscent of a favorite location on the globe, Custom Gardens can consult, provide, and install designs that link your property to other cultures and eras. I feel part of a long tradition of landscapers to be able to provide this service to my clients through research, education, and firsthand experience. Allow us to help you get the look you want, indoor and out.

Sincerely,

Ellen Covner
Custom Gardens, LLC