Each to his own, but Monty is making Monty's Paradise Garden - if that's what he wants and he's happy with it - then job done!
I do like grasses and now have quite a few S.Tenuissima (as they self seed quite freely), the main thing I don't like about it is that every time I look at them I see a reminder of Donald Trump's hair.
I do think he could have gone a bit more exotic though - but like any garden, they develop and change
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
Yes each to their own, but for a t.v. programme and also the great build up to a "Paradise" garden, something a bit different would have been more stunning for those of us taken along with the word Paradise. As Monty said - a packet of seeds is all we need to grow Paradise. At least we are all capable of copying this.
I can’t remember the paths, I was focused on the planting, so will have to check when its featured next. I don’t like grasses either, but thats not why I was disappointed to see them there. It just seemed a shame, since he grows many exotics like bananas, tree ferns and cannas so could have had the odd bay, pomegranate or orange (seville orange is pretty hardy in the ground, survived -15c in a town I used to live in). Well, as I and others have said, its his garden, he is entitled to do what he wants, plus its early days yet, so we shall have to see how it develops.
I remember Prince Charles’ Carpet Garden, which was not an exact replica of a PG, but inspired by a turkish carpet in his office. I didn’t like everything about it, but felt it was a good interpretation and in the spirit of Islamic gardens...
Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
I think Perki is correct regarding Monty visiting a garden where Stipa tenussima was widely used. It was the restoration of an ancient garden in Marrakech - Le Jardin Secret - which has two courtyards planted up from designs by Tom Stuart Smith. One them used the Stipa extensively and if I remember correctly the gardeners cut them right back once or twice a year to get the fresh foliage, obviously needing plenty of watering in that climate. I think the courtyard with the Stipa only had the water as the central feature with no rills but may be wrong on that point and the other courtyard followed traditional designs more closely. It may well be that Monty will add citrus and other tender trees/shrubs in pots by the little building and probably some fragrant climbers against it too.
Monty has Pomegranate trees already. It was featured in a previous episode. I’m sure it’s in a greenhouse at the moment.
Jemula, you are right, I’m sure the idea with the Stipa was influenced by that visit. However, I think it would have been more daring if he had thought about another type of plant to fill the spaces rather than go for an almost copy.
Is he doing a modern interpretation of a Paradise garden or a traditional one? Either way, it is supposed to be scented and cooling so agree with Nollie about the lack of aromatics and with Hosta about the lack of rills and cooling, flowing water which is also symbolic to the idea of a Persian or Moorish PG.
I really don't think stipa tenuissima has any place in a PG regardless of Tom SS doing it in Marrakesh but if you want modern and low maintenance then fine. Not for me tho and I wonder how they'll fare? I was given some for my Belgian garden which was cold and wet in winter, like Monty's. Can't tell you how pleased I was when they copped it.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
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I do like grasses and now have quite a few S.Tenuissima (as they self seed quite freely), the main thing I don't like about it is that every time I look at them I see a reminder of Donald Trump's hair.
I do think he could have gone a bit more exotic though - but like any garden, they develop and change
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
I remember Prince Charles’ Carpet Garden, which was not an exact replica of a PG, but inspired by a turkish carpet in his office. I didn’t like everything about it, but felt it was a good interpretation and in the spirit of Islamic gardens...
Lol to Pete8 regarding reminder of DT's hair!
Jemula, you are right, I’m sure the idea with the Stipa was influenced by that visit. However, I think it would have been more daring if he had thought about another type of plant to fill the spaces rather than go for an almost copy.
I really don't think stipa tenuissima has any place in a PG regardless of Tom SS doing it in Marrakesh but if you want modern and low maintenance then fine. Not for me tho and I wonder how they'll fare? I was given some for my Belgian garden which was cold and wet in winter, like Monty's. Can't tell you how pleased I was when they copped it.