\u00a9 Claire Takacs<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div><\/a><\/p>\nFor this site, the owner gave the team at Scape Design a brief to encourage local wildlife<\/a> and create a feel of simple \u2018barefoot luxury\u2019. It sits down a winding road, with fragile dry-stone walls, surrounded by stone outcrops and ancient bories \u2013 round sheep shelters made of field stone that are common to this part of France. At its centre is the house of local flaked limestone, surrounded by a distinctive pergola<\/a>. The garden in which it now sits is stunning; a lesson in working with, rather than against, nature.<\/p>\n

In brief<\/strong><\/p>\n
What<\/strong> Proven\u00e7al garden, designed to encourage wildlife. Where<\/strong> South of France. Size<\/strong> Just over two acres. Soil<\/strong> Very poor, stony, shale-like alkaline substrate with a thin humus layer that\nhas built up over time. Climate<\/strong> Continental. Extremely\ndry, south-facing slope about 600m above sea level. Hardiness zone<\/strong> USDA 9.<\/p>\n
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\u00a9 Claire Takacs<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div><\/a><\/p>\nThe imposing black metal structure with sliding shutters, which surrounds this Proven\u00e7al house, extends around existing olive trees, allowing designer James Basson to link house and landscape by bringing his mix of drought-tolerant planting<\/a> in gravel right up to the door.<\/p>\n
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\u00a9 Claire Takacs<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div><\/a><\/p>\n
Stunning views out across the olive groves towards Roussillon are framed by the main dining pergola with planting that includes Lomelosia minoana<\/em> and Brachypodium phoenicoides<\/em>.<\/p>\n
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\u00a9 Claire Takacs<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div><\/a><\/p>\nIn a sunny spot leading to the woodland of evergreen holm oaks<\/a> and pines, James has included a mix of colourful and fragrant plants, such as the grass Brachypodium phoenicoides, Cistus albidus, Lomelosia minoana<\/em> and Helichrysum italicum.<\/em><\/p>\n
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\u00a9 Claire Takacs<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div><\/a><\/p>\n
The old driveway was moved to allow for a gracious terrace leading to the front door, which is framed by an ancient olive grove. A wide space left between pompoms of Lomelosia minoana<\/em>, Iris unguicularis<\/em> and the silver foliage of Artemisia caerulescens<\/em> allows for occasional heavy deliveries.<\/p>\n

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\u00a9 Claire Takacs<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div><\/a><\/p>\n
The gravel path is flanked by the grass Hyparrhenia hirta<\/em> and the shrubby scabious Lomelosia minoana<\/em>, with taller spikes of Foeniculum vulgare<\/em>, which James adds at a low percentage and allows to self-seed.<\/p>\n

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\u00a9 Claire Takacs<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div><\/a><\/p>\n
One of two ancient bories that James wanted to keep for their historic value. These stone structures, where a shepherd could weather a storm or a cold night, are common to this area. In this garden, where the owner wanted to encourage wildlife, they now house an impressive colony of bats.<\/p>\n

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\u00a9 Claire Takacs<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div><\/a><\/p>\n
James wanted to bring the pool out into the landscape as much as possible, so this terrace was designed to allow maximum planting in and around the pool area. Cistus albidus, Salvia rosmarinus<\/em> and Lotus hirsutus<\/em> feature, along\nwith a yellow haze of the grass Hyparrhenia hirta<\/em>.<\/p>\n
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Key plants<\/h3>\n
Centurea bella<\/em><\/h4>\n
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\u00a9 Claire Takacs<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n
This slow-growing groundcover creates reliable dense cushions low to the ground. It\u2019s long lived and these seedheads continue to add interest once the wonderful pinkish flowers have finished. 25cm x 45cm.<\/p>\n
Satureja thymbra<\/em><\/h4>\n
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\u00a9 Claire Takacs<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n
Late-flowering sub-shrub with fragrant foliage. Pinkish-purple flowers are followed by strong seedheads throughout the summer. 40cm x 40cm. USDA 6a-9b.<\/p>\n
Artemisia caerulescens<\/em><\/h4>\n
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\u00a9 Claire Takacs<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n
Small and reliable with good silver colour. It has proved to be a real winner in James\u2019s lower plantings. 1m x 30cm.<\/p>\n
Helichrysum italicum<\/em><\/h4>\n
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\u00a9 Claire Takacs<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n
Throughout summer this breathes a musky scent into the air that evokes the dry air of the Mediterranean. Stays small and tidy in really poor soil. 50cm x 50cm. RHS H4.<\/p>\n
Salvia multicaulis<\/em><\/h4>\n
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\u00a9 Claire Takacs<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n
A favourite of James\u2019s for creating a low groundcover. Its red calyces shine on well into late spring and early summer. 30cm x 90cm.<\/p>\n
Ptilostemon chamaepeuce<\/em><\/h4>\n
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