Given the rocky nature of the soil, the shortage of water, the semi-desert climate and the high level of salinity in the area, we decided to create a xerophytic garden by the sea in an area where it rains barely 20 times a year. Our aim was to make the gardens blend into their surroundings. Soil was practically non-existent and rocks were the ground cover, for which reason we built walls and raised plant beds which we later filled with the right mix of soil. We covered the walls we built with lavish cascades of tropical flowers which, nevertheless, require very little water.
We based our design around a magnificent Gomier (Bursera simaruba) that we discovered on the property. The raised plant beds covered with bougainvilleas and allamandas create curved forms evoking waves in the sea. The desert roses flower indefatigably, alongside a collection of cacti and hibiscus, bromeliads and succulents, calliandras and passion flowers, moringas and tamarinds… The wind, the sun, the sea, the sunsets and sunrises complete this Caribbean paradise in which an army of autochthonous, thorn-covered trees, such as the carob or the acacia farnesiana, protect the garden with their shade whilst managing to survive the long droughts and the salinity of the environment.
