Sequoiadendron giganteum is a name with a sense of scale built into it. Even before you look it up, you know this is not going to be a tiny, retiring plant. Having one in the garden gives the place a different kind of ambition.
Then there are the rhododendrons: several different kinds, each adding its own shape and presence. They make an interesting counterpoint to the trees, and give the garden more than one kind of green to look at.
With about 500 square metres to work with, I can bring together plants that would feel unlikely neighbours in a smaller space. The 12-square-metre greenhouse is a reminder that not every part of a garden needs to be big; a few well-chosen growing spaces can sit comfortably beside plants with grand names and even grander potential.
I like that the garden does not resolve into one neat category. It is a place for plants from different parts of the world, chosen because each one brings something worth noticing.
Happy growing,
Matteo