Sculpture In The Mediterranean Garden – How To Have One For Next To No Money!
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By Jonathan Yaakobi
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Works of art definitely have their place in the garden. A fine sculpture
often functions as the focal point in a composition. However one does not necessarily have to go to the expense of procuring a man-made artifact or alternatively, one outstanding piece of sculpture can be supported by other less dramatic objects. These “other objects” are plants that by virtue of their strong line and clear form, act as sculptural elements in the garden. These natural sculptures, if bought when small, do not have to cost much money, but are nonetheless a vital ingredient in the planting scheme, for in order to complete a garden composition, consideration should always be given to the choosing and careful placing of a sculptural plant or two. Here are some examples.
*Plumeria rubra, sometimes known as Frangipani , grows as a low open tree of outstanding form and shape in Mediterranean climates. It also has large attractive a highly fragrant flowers. Plumeria is suitable for frost free areas only.
*The common Guava, Psidium guajava contributes to a garden in a variety of ways. It has beautiful peeling bark, attractive flowers and of course decorative and tasty fruit. Its fine sculptural shape however, is often overlooked. For people who dislike the strong fragrance of the fruit, a dwarf variety growing to about 5 meters in Mediterranean climates, can be considered, as its fruit are odorless. The dwarf Guava is particularly outstanding in its sculptural qualities.
*The Strawberry tree, Arbutus unedo, is the subject of a recent article of mine. Click on the link below and then on the article page for some information on this excellent species.
*Other examples would include Yucca, varieties of Dracaena, and grass like plants such as Phormium and Cyperus papyrus. Cacti are obviously plants possessing a clearly defined shape, and can definitely be termed sculptural. However, caution should be used as they rarely if ever combine well design wise, with other plants. Cacti are therefore best left as a special grouping in a separate part of the garden.
When choosing a garden tree, many people are distracted by considerations of flower color and edible fruit. These are of course important, but of far greater year-round significance is the shape and form of the tree. Careful thought should be given to its size, which should be appropriate in terms of scale to the plot as a whole. Due to the fact that the right tree in the right place can of itself constitute a major sculptural element, a couple of points should be remembered.
*A tree out of leaf will generally look more sculptural than when the same tree is in leaf. Therefore, while the majority of plant material in the garden should be evergreen, at least one deciduous tree should be planted.
*In order for the tree to realize its full sculptural potential, it should be given its proper space. Over-planting, quite apart from its other detrimental attributes, will detract from the sculpture, not enhance it.
Finally, interesting shapes can be attained by pruning up certain shrubs into mini trees. Examples that spring to mind are Pitanga, Eugenia uniflora, Pittosporum tobira, Carissa macrocarpa, species of Vitex, and many more.
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Author Bio Box: Jonathan Yaakobi
 My name is Jonathan Ya'akobi.
I've been gardening in a professional capacity since 1984.
I am the former head gardener of the Jerusalem Botanical Garden, but now concentrate on building gardens for private home owners.
I also teach horticulture to students on training courses.
I'd love to help you get the very best from your garden,
so you're welcome to visit me on http://www.dryclimategardening.com
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