The house at Serre de la Madone

http://www.serredelamadone.com

This garden was designed by the same man that designed the garden at Hidcote Manor in England, Major Lawrence Johnson.  Between 1924 and 1939 he acquired seven hectares of land which he created into his ‘earthly paradise’ – a unique exotic landscaped garden (juxtaposition of different compartmental areas referred to as ‘green rooms’) filled with a vast array of rare plants brought back from across the world and painstakingly laid out amidst pools, fountains, statues and flights of curving steps.  It is totally charming and worth a visit if you are in the South of France.  The house now suffers from a degree of neglect but the gardens have undergone an extensive restoration and they are absolutely stunning. Tiers and tiers of faded loveliness…

Simple pergola but so beautiful

Faded glory, Major Lawrence Johnston’s house

Exotic plants – Lotus pod

Lotus flower