I had forgotten the beauty of Portuguese gardens but a short stay near Lisbon in spring made me rediscover them.
The International Spring Conference held by the local branch of the Mediterranean Garden Society proved a perfect opportunity to learn more about the past, present and future of Portuguese gardens and to discover them.
Visits included old Botanic Gardens and experimental nurseries, as well as small private paradises such as Quinta do Castanheiro near Sintra.
This beautiful old quinta, Portuguese for farm, is set in a mountainous area featuring thick woods, abundant water and a pleasant mild climate. A romantic scenery that, already during the second half of the eighteenth century, attracted wealthy merchants from Lisbon during the summer, and, at the turn of the century, fascinated famous foreign travelers, Lord Byron among them.
Like many typical Portuguese residences, the house at Quinta do
Castanheiro was built next to the road and surrounded by walls. Over the
years, the estate has changed form and owners, and, today it is the
beloved retreat of Margaretha and Bruno, an energetic and sympathetic
Swedish couple who has settled here around two years ago. ‘I was lucky
to get an old garden with rooms, walls and a nice carpet' explained
Margaretha showing us the garden. The steep hillside is divided into
terraces with different planting combinations and schemes but a common
natural look and a relaxed pleasant atmosphere. Leaving the large terrace in front of the house, you find a simple green
lawn bordered by low perennials and shrubs overlooking the surrounding
cultivated fields, a large formal garden stretching along the back of
the house, where flowers and herbs are bounded by low trimmed
boxwood-edges, and an informal area with fruit trees and shrubs such as
Strelitzia, lavender, echium and cistus. The terrace above the formal
garden is a simple space for open-air games and receptions with a humorous modern sculpture
at the entrance. The last terrace is above it: a small tiled tank with
peaceful red fish, old camellias and beautiful views. Portuguese tiles
recur in the garden, from steps to low walls, both in colored floral
patterns and in the traditional blue Azulejos. Next to the large terrace
in front of the house, sheltered by a row of slender cypresses and an
embroidery of silver leaf shrubs, there is a little secret swimming pool
for the hottest days.
Pots of flowers and herbs, chairs and benches are details of everyday life for a garden that does not forget the past but live in the present.
 |
| 1. Back garden and new terrass recovered from rebuilding 2 years ago |
This beautiful old quinta, Portuguese for farm, is set in a mountainous area featuring thick woods, abundant water and a pleasant mild climate. A romantic scenery that, already during the second half of the eighteenth century, attracted wealthy merchants from Lisbon during the summer, and, at the turn of the century, fascinated famous foreign travelers, Lord Byron among them.
Like many typical Portuguese residences, the house at Quinta do
Castanheiro was built next to the road and surrounded by walls. Over the
years, the estate has changed form and owners, and, today it is the
beloved retreat of Margaretha and Bruno, an energetic and sympathetic
Swedish couple who has settled here around two years ago. ‘I was lucky
to get an old garden with rooms, walls and a nice carpet' explained
Margaretha showing us the garden. The steep hillside is divided into
terraces with different planting combinations and schemes but a common
natural look and a relaxed pleasant atmosphere. Leaving the large terrace in front of the house, you find a simple green
lawn bordered by low perennials and shrubs overlooking the surrounding
cultivated fields, a large formal garden stretching along the back of
the house, where flowers and herbs are bounded by low trimmed
boxwood-edges, and an informal area with fruit trees and shrubs such as
Strelitzia, lavender, echium and cistus. The terrace above the formal
garden is a simple space for open-air games and receptions with a humorous modern sculpture
at the entrance. The last terrace is above it: a small tiled tank with
peaceful red fish, old camellias and beautiful views. Portuguese tiles
recur in the garden, from steps to low walls, both in colored floral
patterns and in the traditional blue Azulejos. Next to the large terrace
in front of the house, sheltered by a row of slender cypresses and an
embroidery of silver leaf shrubs, there is a little secret swimming pool
for the hottest days.Pots of flowers and herbs, chairs and benches are details of everyday life for a garden that does not forget the past but live in the present.
I asked Margaretha for details and information and she kindly and generously answered me.
TravelinaGarden: Would you tell us something about the history of Quinta do Castanheiro?
MN: I think that we and our neighbors live here of passion to Sintra's rich
nature, because of that we take responsibility and pay to keep gardens
intact and beautiful. Of course, with space for the modern man
facilities like pool, croquet and boules terraces...
Gardens live, dies & change so I'll let the garden dance over time and go to rest during the short winter (+ 5 c). We only control microklimats growing power!
Gardens live, dies & change so I'll let the garden dance over time and go to rest during the short winter (+ 5 c). We only control microklimats growing power!
TravelinaGarden: Each terrace has its own characteristics and vegetation. How do they work?
MN: Our garden is arranged in a sequence of terraces surrounded by
Eucalyptus and Mimosa forest bonding the large nature reserve above our
surrounding farms. You can only see them from the road above. The garden has nearly 30 m case height with different conditions when it
comes to light, water and wind zones. It's a great challenge and, at
the same time, a piece of cake ...
There are always flowers throughout the year and these beauties take care of themselves more or less. Thanks to the microklimat here, there is no need for greater care in summer either.
There are always flowers throughout the year and these beauties take care of themselves more or less. Thanks to the microklimat here, there is no need for greater care in summer either.
We have an experienced & skilled gardener! No bodiebuilders that devastates & destroys the garden in a short period of time against low payment. Our gardener is trained & has many years' experience. Diseased plants end up in the "incubator", get replanted or composted in a natural cycle.
TravelinaGarden: Which flowers are you introducing in the garden?
MN: We love trees & vegetation that's why we fell in love in Sintra. 
We choose only a few flowers that thrive here and are just as happy as the Green Fund, the walls and the lawn is!
I love the combination of beauty and useful herbs, plants and trees. I like to develop a little more and at other appropriate locations, choose more water wise plants! So You are very welcome back, we will probably go to Algarve to find interesting Mediterranean plants to add a twist of the Mediterranean.
Checklist new plants:
- Entre' - Step Up: Palm trees in pots
- Big Terrass: Bruno's 300 year old Olive tree and 3 unhappy Clematis
- Pool terrass: 10 year old lemon tree + the lime trees from neighbors. I love the smell by pool
- Sloping terrass: Unhappy Portuguese flowers ....
- Herb terrass:
Mint, Salvia, Oregano, Dragon, Basilika, RoseMarin, Thyme, Koriander, Lemon Meliss, - Activity Terrass:
Two Jaqarandan tree 4,5m high, no flowers yet) & lots of happy Hortencia & Vinka. - Fruit terrass:
Lots of lavender, some raspberries -a test, might need more sun... - Top terrass: Mediterranean plants
TravelinaGarden: What are your project for the garden in the near future?
MN: Bruno & I want to grow old with the garden, on generously. Just check it, add wise water plants and play more classic music in our garden to keep our plants happy! And use less noisy machines in the garden, to keep harmony for us, neighbors & the garden. We like the gardens be a different kinds of retreats.
Photos:
TravelinaGarden, May 2015.
Links:
Mediterranean Garden Association, Portugal Branch.
http://www.mediterraneangardensociety.org/branches-pt.html
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