Paths of Light
The owners of this private residence in Nagüeles were clear that, as they do not live in Marbella year-round, they wanted low-maintenance gardens that they could enjoy during their visits; a harmonious space that conveys tranquillity and stimulates the senses, with occasional flowers for decoration and edible fruits, became a priority in the garden’s design. Our biocontrol approach ensures healthy crops for consumption while avoiding contamination and naturally managing garden pests.
Spatially, there was a lack of cohesion and connection between the property’s two levels. Gravel paths of various materials and colours, stabilised with geocells, were used to link the different areas of the garden. White or pink gravel with binders in some areas, river gravel in others, combined with tiles and wooden sleepers, created stable, walkable paths. Sustainable technical wood, 70% recycled pine, was used for seating areas and stairs.
The gardens follow a tropical-Mediterranean style, with zones complemented by decorative pots throughout the property:
- A kitchen garden, designed with wooden sleepers alongside the retaining wall, includes aromatic herbs and seasonal vegetables, as well as companion plants that control typical garden pests. An area dedicated to fruit trees contains exotic crops from southern Andalusia, such as carambola, passionfruit, papaya, guava, and pitanga.
- Fruit trees: existing pomegranates, orange and lemon trees were complemented with unique species such as kumquat, limequat, Buddha’s hand citrus, and a lunar lemon that fruits year-round. The Citrus Garden at the entrance now features a floral carpet of Lavandula, Achillea, and Erigeron.
- The Rock Garden includes Sedum of various species and jasmines to gradually cover the rockery, and the Cactus Garden, framed by Plumeria and Bougainvillea, houses a collection of succulents and cacti.
- In the Pavilion Garden, an Italian pergola stands over a circular Portuguese cobble floor, crafted by skilled artisans and covered with flowering climbers such as Jasminum and Pandorea. The area is surrounded by a garden where Strelitzia, Ravenala, and banana trees merge with Hibiscus, Callistemon, and Mediterranean flowering shrubs like Westringia and Verbena.
