Montelupo Fiorentino
The project
The concept of a dry garden is not always tied to old farmhouses or rural landscapes. On the contrary, it can coexist perfectly with modern architecture and more urban settings. In fact, it is precisely in these environments that plant communities stand out most vividly, creating almost surreal atmospheres, a balance between spontaneity and structure, between nature and contemporary design.
In this case, a rigid, geometric architectural structure required a garden with soft, fluid lines, one capable of lightening the volumes and serving as a transition between the building and the surrounding natural landscape, despite the site’s proximity to the city. As in many of my projects, the main challenge was water scarcity, a recurring theme that guides every design decision toward the use of drought-tolerant, low-maintenance plants.
This garden is a concrete example of that approach. Despite initial complications due to poorly executed earthworks (carried out by external contractors), slopes that directed water toward the building, and unsuitable fill soil, it was possible to restore ideal conditions thanks to the collaboration with skilled professionals aware of the risks inherent in seemingly “cost-saving” solutions.
Several days of work were required to reestablish proper grading, improve soil structure with the addition of sand, and bring the natural, free-draining topsoil back to the surface. Only then could the true construction of the garden begin, shaping the soft contours that define the transitions between lawn and planting areas.
Plant selection played a fundamental role: the goal was to create a visual and sensory connection with the surrounding landscape, as if the garden were a natural extension of it. Ornamental grasses became the main design matrix, dynamic, airy plants that change color with the seasons and provide a sense of fullness without heaviness. Alongside them, perennials such as Aster and Veronicastrum add touches of exuberance, alternating with species whose blooms are more discreet yet always engaging throughout the year. It was essential to design a garden that remains alive and expressive in every season, since the owners experience it daily.
In summary, this project demonstrates that the dry garden is not bound to a single context or architectural style, but represents a versatile and sustainable design philosophy, one that can adapt to and enhance a wide variety of environments.
In this case, a rigid, geometric architectural structure required a garden with soft, fluid lines, one capable of lightening the volumes and serving as a transition between the building and the surrounding natural landscape, despite the site’s proximity to the city. As in many of my projects, the main challenge was water scarcity, a recurring theme that guides every design decision toward the use of drought-tolerant, low-maintenance plants.
This garden is a concrete example of that approach. Despite initial complications due to poorly executed earthworks (carried out by external contractors), slopes that directed water toward the building, and unsuitable fill soil, it was possible to restore ideal conditions thanks to the collaboration with skilled professionals aware of the risks inherent in seemingly “cost-saving” solutions.
Several days of work were required to reestablish proper grading, improve soil structure with the addition of sand, and bring the natural, free-draining topsoil back to the surface. Only then could the true construction of the garden begin, shaping the soft contours that define the transitions between lawn and planting areas.
Plant selection played a fundamental role: the goal was to create a visual and sensory connection with the surrounding landscape, as if the garden were a natural extension of it. Ornamental grasses became the main design matrix, dynamic, airy plants that change color with the seasons and provide a sense of fullness without heaviness. Alongside them, perennials such as Aster and Veronicastrum add touches of exuberance, alternating with species whose blooms are more discreet yet always engaging throughout the year. It was essential to design a garden that remains alive and expressive in every season, since the owners experience it daily.
In summary, this project demonstrates that the dry garden is not bound to a single context or architectural style, but represents a versatile and sustainable design philosophy, one that can adapt to and enhance a wide variety of environments.