Artful Surroundings .. Enrich and Invigorate

Rancho La Puerta - Part III

A profusion of drought-tolerant rosemary - shrubbery and swathes of the prostrate form,

blooms endlessly during the winter months.

At times, as I explored the grounds in silent meditation,

I would stop abruptly, enveloped by the fragrance of sweet alyssum!

Rounding a bend along a walkway, or gazing out at a serene landscape,

one finds life-size bronzes by acclaimed Mexican artist, Víctor Hugo Castañeda,

which appear as eye-catching focal points

throughout the property.

Conjoined eyebrows are key to revealing a work as a depiction of the artist, Frida Kahlo.

Perhaps the sculpture pictured below is associated with Kahlo more often.

A scrambling cape honeysuckle (Tecomaria capensis) 

weaves through the lively ironwork design 

of the entryway gate.

Stained glass casts glowing patterns,

 encountered as one approaches the reception area at check-in.

Mosaics embellish a spot where I stopped to read this quote from H. G. Bohr:

"The soul is not where it lives, But where it loves."

Among a grouping of sculptures of Frida Kahlo displayed in the main building;

this piece stands as a powerful reminder of the artist's self-portraits.

Aficionados of Kahlo's paintings will be intrigued by the collection on-view.

 (Madonna and I apparently share this fascination!)

Link to Part II - Rancho La Puerta 

 Landscape / Hardscape

Link to Julie Gallaher's .. thingsyoushoulddo

to find out more about the bloggers in my group.

Landscape / Hardscape - Rancho La Puerta

Sunlight through stained glass ... interior wall, Las Piedras Environmental Center

The prevalence of natural rock formations influenced the design of...

Las Piedras Environmental Education Center at Parque del Professor 

Tecate, Mexico .. a project of Fundación La Puerta

Landscape architect Ron Lovinger designed the parkland (we'll be returning here soon!),

while more recently, landscape architect Enrique Ceballos of Rancho La Puerta

contributed to the design of the education building that school children adore.

Sunset ...  foothills of Mount Kuchumaa.

 Walking the grounds of Rancho La Puerta with landscape architect Enrique Ceballos,

we came upon a casita with not one, 

but two of these beautifully constructed benches adorning the patio.

Imagine resting on such a bench, 

watching the advance of rose-flushed clouds as the skies darken.

One picture... worth a thousand words: Typical of the Rancho's fine stonework. 

Tecomaria capensis .. a habitat plant that qualifies as a hummingbird magnet!

Our group delighted in the Rancho's friendly felines.

Gaillardia .. a brilliant bloomer native to Mexico.

Stay tuned... much more to follow!

Link to Part I:  A Passion for Life .. Deborah Szekely

A Passion for Life .. Deborah Szekely

Deborah Szekely

"You have to have a passion to live long,"

... Rancho La Puerta owner/director Deborah Szekely (88 years young),

speaking to our gathering of invited bloggers.

First in a series of features on the Rancho's landscape, kitchen gardens & cooking school,

as RLP enters its 70th year of commitment to healthy living, protection of the environment, 

 & under the auspices of Fundacion La Puerta,

giving back to the area's school children and the community of Tecate, Mexico.

The landscape and guesthouses nestle in the foothills of Mount Kuchumaa.

Majestic evergreen live oaks offer shade and shelter throughout the gardens, 

while succulents, countless native & Mediterranean species, and drought-tolerant

 plants such as Grevilleas create inviting wildlife habitats.

Bird song enlivens every pathway & patio during daylight hours.

On a bird walk I encountered year-round residents - many breed at the Rancho:

 Phainopepla, California quail, Anna's hummingbird, Cassin's Kingbird, 

California thrasher (what a sight!), various finches and sparrows.

Winter visitors include Cedar waxwing & Hermit thrush.

Can anyone identify the bird pictured above in Aloe arborescens?

The jogging track encircles a field of grapevines.

Each dormant grapevine spoke to me: 

Their aged, contorted forms demonstrating a unique sculptural bearing

...or anthropomorphic quality.

Aloe lutescens

Link to: Radiant Respite .. Rancho La Puerta

Ninfa .. Flora and Fauna of a Protected Landscape

Ninfa ... Conservation of a Protected Landscape

Safe harbor for 132 species of birds, pure lake waters,

and a Pontine marshland habitat.

Ninfa's 100,000-hectare property is accorded utmost respect by the governing Roffredo Caetani Foundation & curator, Lauro Marchetti. With the dawn of the 21st century, to care for the land is a primary consideration: Ninfa's historic landscape of treasured flora and fauna is in many ways unique. Thankfully, I had planned well in advance to visit Ninfa, and it was my good fortune to meet Dirrettore Marchetti and his charming wife, Stella.

The rain began, then stopped, then fell lightly once again as I strolled through the organically maintained gardens with Signora Marchetti.

Located 20 km from the sea, Ninfa is situated at the base of the Lepini Mountains, and therefore protected from harsh winds. The gardens emerge as an idyllic natural setting. Yet, at the same time, the lush plantings are a resonant reminder of of the loving touch and prescient planning of the keen-sighted garden-makers of the past.

The restored castle tower overlooks magnificent architectural evergreen pines, playing off flowering cherries, aristocratic magnolias, and the contorted limbs of mature maples. The atmosphere felt blessed as we explored pathways, coming upon long vistas of gently meandering streams flanked by an alliance of roses and rhododendrons, self-sown mahonia, and the lavish foliage of gunnera.

Ninfa: Small Books of Great Gardens

Text by Lauro Marchetti and Esme Howard - Photos by Claire de Virieu

The eye alights upon a banana grove in a sun-drenched clearing:

A microclimate warmed by venerable stone walls and ruined towers.

An appointment called the Marchettis to Rome, but before they departed. I had the opportunity to talk with Lauro Marchetti about a project to extend the gardens, creating a spacious nature reserve for the abundant wildlife.

As I proceeded to walk alone, I found myself wishing that I were a resident nymph,

able to spend intimate hours on the splendid property...

cavorting with hedgehogs, or romping through the spring-fed bamboo forest.

Conservation of Ninfa's unique gardens and vast landscape is of great concern.

Photos and Text Copyright © Alice Joyce

Protected by Copyscape: Do Not Copy

Link to Part II: Enchanting Ninfa

Ninfa opens to the public on a limited basis, offering guided tours.

Enchanting Ninfa .. the Saga Continues

Ninfa - In a few words, an enchanted landscape.

A place where gardens rise up on the site of a once-prominent 8th-century town. Documentation traces Ninfa to the 1st century, when Pliny wrote of a temple constructed in homage to mythical nymphs: Nymphs known to dwell in Ninfa's pristine lake, the cold waters flowing from an alpine mountain source.

In 1297 Pope Bonifaciio VIII gifted Ninfa to a relative, Pietro Caetani. Yet, by the late 1300s,

warring factions overran the thriving Medieval town, leaving it in ruins.

Look to The English Garden Abroad, should you wish to learn more about the making of Ninfa's gardens.

In the well-researched book, Charles Quest-Ritson follows the shaping of the present-day gardens by the creators: Three generations of the Caetani family responsible for the landscape one sees today. In particular, three ladies of English and American ancestry - laudable, artistic figures who contributed to the gardenscape. A breathtaking naturalism envelops the visitor to Ninfa. At every turn, the eye rests upon lush greenery,

or plentiful vistas of fresh water.

The wistful romanticism of ancient stone walls is not easily captured in words;

the stone surfaces a honey-hued canvas for fading frescoes.

Introducing: Ninfa and Sermoneta

Part 3 to follow ....