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The terraces

The three long east-facing terraces constitute the main cultivated part of the garden. Here a large variety of mediterranean plants from different parts of the world are grown; there are far too many to list here but they include several different species (and some cultivars) of Salvia, Teucrium (T. fruticans 'Azureum') and Lavender (Lavandula dentata) as well as bulbs, such as the South African Haemanthus coccineus and the Greek natives Bellevalia dubia and Fritillaria obliqua. The terraces offer visual interest in every single season of the year. A narrow path runs along the top of each terrace and two flights of steps divide them. They are protected from the wind from the north by a group of nine cypress trees planted in the 1960s by Jaqueline Tyrwhitt (Cupressus sempervirens) and are also shaded by Ulmus parvifolia and Rhus lancea at the south end, as well as a pine in the centre of the lowest terrace, a Judas tree (Cercis siliquastrum) and three pomegranates (Punica granatum).

Above the terraces to the north lies a bed containing plants that thrive in extremely dry conditions. These include fine old specimens of Ebenus cretica, a Cretan endemic, and Euphorbia acanthothamnos, both planted about 40 years ago.

Above the terraces to the south a shade garden is home to, among other plants, hellebores (Helleborus foetidus and a cultivar of H. orientalis) and Liriope muscari.

The retaining wall of the house verandah above the top terrace supports a Rosa 'Mermaid', while a huge Rosa banksiae 'Alba Plena' with double white flowers grows over the ramp leading down from this verandah to the shade garden along with Plumbago capensis and wisteria.

Terrace March 2010

Video - Terry Moyemont.   Music - David Bristow.

Photographs - Davina Michaelides, Chris Wassenberg,
Terry Moyemont, Valerie Tassent  and Jaqueline Tyrwhitt.

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