Principles for the Garden at Vico Morcote

Principles for the garden at Vico Morcote The garden of Sir Peter Smithers in ~ The plantings, 16 in number, are the Lake Lugano area of Switzerland varying compositions of plants has drawn considerable interest among according to the lie of the ground, and members because of the owner k efforts there is no repetition of planting. The to furnish it with the best Magnolia visitor is surprised at every turn of the clones from whatever source. Here he path, with a new plant community tells us what he wanted in a garden to different from what he has seen so far. begin wirh, and what he got. ~ No plant is added to the garden if there is in existence anywhere in the world an obtainable superior form. ~ It shall be a source of pleasure to This applies with particular force to the owner and his friends, not a burden Magnolias which, however fine, are and an anxiety. eliminated when a better is found. ~ It must therefore be planted so as ~ The number of genera is limited by to reduce labour to an absolute the size of the garden and the wish to minimum, and the amount of work have several collections of world-class involved must diminish as the owner quality. In this garden there are grows old. Magnolias, Tree Peonies, and Hybrid ~ All plants in the garden must Nerines. Other collections such as therefore be of a permanent character: Rhododendrons, Ferns, Comus, and no annuals, biennials or plants Camellias are enjoyable but do not aim requiring lifting in winter or other to set standards. attention of a special kind. ~ Rigidly excluded are such plants as ~ The planting must be of a dense conifers and palms, which would kind, so that the plants live in a self- divorce us from the great deciduous sustaining community with one forests of oak and sweet chestnut another, with little space for weeds to across the lake. grow or need for support. ~ No plant is ever exchanged. All ~ Choice of genera for the garden is a plants are available to serious matter of taste for the owner and of gardeners, stock and labour permitting. suitability for the climate and aspect. The pleasure of owning a fine plant is "Difficult" plants, if not successful after not complete until it has been given to a fair trial, are abandoned for easier friends. subjects of which there are plenty, It is a constant source of surprise- ~ At all levels, planting distances are and satisfaction —that events have such as to form a closed canopy, for turned out exactly as intended at the example, a high canopy of Magnolias, first major planting in 1972. Since then an understorey of Camellias, about 10,000 species and cultivars have Rhododendrons, etc. , and ground been established in the garden. The cover. As the high canopy thickens, initial labour was severe and required a many sun-loving plants will be contractor for two planting seasons. eliminated by the shade conditions. But Therefore a full time gardener was they will be replaced by plants of the required for four years. But as the forest floor. This is the intended plants have matured the work load has evolution of the garden. declined dramatically, and a half-time ~ The design is that of the Japanese gardener is now sufficient. There is stroll garden. The owner is led by a no digging, cultivation, or heavy work. winding path which, with short side Most of the work is done by the plants spurs, carries him through the entire themselves, which expect no wages, garden and back to the staning point. only understanding of their needs. d .

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